HELP
| How are the MIT World videos delivered to my computer? |
The videos on MIT World are encoded to "stream" to your computer in a broadcast format, a few frames at a time. The videos use the RealPlayer client software. Once the player is launched, the video stream buffers to enable the video to flow smoothly to your computer. Depending on the configuration of your RealPlayer client, this 'buffering' process may take several seconds to a few minutes.
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| What connection speed is needed for viewing MIT World videos? |
Most videos are available to be viewed in least three of the following connection speeds:
- 32k audio only
- 56k modem
- 80k broadband
- 150k broadband
- 220k broadband
Streaming video content requires the transmission of large amounts of data, making the experience highly dependent on the speed of connection. Watching the videos on a 220k (DSL/T-1/Cable) connection will provide much smoother video streaming and faster download speeds than will a 56k dial-up modem.
If you are at a university or a corporate location, it is highly likely that you have a 220k connection. The best thing to do is try the highest speed first. If the picture breaks up or does not flow freely, cancel and start over with a different speed. Another tip is to load the video, let it start for a minute, pause it for a minute and then play again. Sometime the pause allows for the buffering to catch up with itself, resulting in a smoother stream of content.
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| What software do I need to view the videos? |
To view MIT World videos, you should have a recent RealPlayer version installed on your computer.
RealPlayer will try its hardest to convince you to buy one of their players, however their free players will work fine. While some of their marketing practices are somewhat aggressive, once you get the player you need, they shouldnŐt bother you any further. Go to the RealNetworks Legacy Software Archive for a complete list of all RealPlayer versions.
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| How do I download the Real Player? |
The free version of Real Player is often hard to find on the Real.com site. The instructions below provide easy access to all versions of the Real Player.
- Go to the RealNetworks Legacy Software Archive for a complete list of all RealPlayer versions.
- Click on the newest version of player listed under your operating system.
- From this point, follow the Real Player downloading instructions.
- Once you have successfully downloaded Real Player, please return to the site to view video.
Download Real Player Now
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| What if I'm still having difficulty viewing videos? |
If you are still having problems viewing the video clips, there may be a firewall at your location that is preventing you from accessing them. This is most common in military and corporate environments, where Internet connection security is often a major concern. If you can determine that there is a firewall issue, you will need to contact your local technical support or network administrator to request that restrictions on the firewall be relaxed to allow you to view the video clips.
Many MIT World viewers have written to us about firewalls. The following tip has helped many users who are in corporate environments:
- Open up RealPlayer
- Select "view" ->"preferences"
- Select the "Transport" tab then the "use specified ports" radio button and "RTSP Settings"
- Select "Use HTTP only"
You shouldn't have to quit RealPlayer after performing this sequence, but it can't hurt. Try to access the content and see if it works. Otherwise ask your systems or network administrator to open port 554 on the firewall to let RTSP traffic through. Info on RealPlayer and firewalls can be found at http://service.real.com/firewall/.
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