Accessing Streaming Media Files

Streamed files typically contain audio and/or video content and require special software on your computer in order for you to hear/view them. At UAH, the large majority of streamed files require the free Windows Media Player and, in some cases, the free Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser. Lecture presentations that include PowerPoint slides require both Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. Other audio or video files may require only Windows Media Player.

In some courses, you may view streaming lecture presentations (video with accompanying PowerPoint slides) or digitized videotapes or video clips that have been converted to a streaming video format. If these files are required in your online course, then you’ll need to check your PC to make sure that you have the software necessary to view these files.

Are you using Internet Explorer already?

Check the title bar of a browser window to see what web browser title is shown. If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, you should see that name in the title bar.

If you are not currently using Internet Explorer to access WebCT, that's OK. You probably already have the program on your computer since it comes pre-installed on all Windows systems. If you normally use AOL to connect to the Internet, you can minimize or close the AOL web browser and then open Internet Explorer.

Do you already have Windows Media Player?

Windows Media Player (WMP) is also pre-installed on most Windows systems. You will need WMP version 7.1 or higher in order to view streamed files. If you do not have Windows Media Player or if you need to upgrade your version to 7.1 or higher, links to the software are available on the WebCT downloads page—http://classweb.uah.edu/downloads/.

Test your system

Try entering the following URL into your web browser address field to see if you are able to view streamed files.

• http://media.eb.uah.edu/library/outreach/library%20outreach.htm

If you have trouble viewing this file, make sure that you are using the appropriate versions of Internet Explorer and/or Windows Media Player. Then, read the following items for additional tips.

1. Streaming audio works best with a high-speed Internet connection (e.g., cable, DSL, ISDN, T1). A good connection on a 56Kbps dial-up modem may also be sufficient for viewing streamed files. For other dial-up modem connections, the presentation may be jerky, may take a long time to view (many starts and stops), or may not play at all.
   
2. If you receive television via a satellite dish and the satellite dish is connected to your telephone line, you will have to unplug the dish from the telephone line in order to receive streaming audio.
   
3. You must use Internet Explorer (IE) as your web browser. Streaming audio presentations cannot be opened by Netscape Navigator, AOL, Mozilla, or other web browsers. If you are using AOL as your Internet Service Provider, then you must MINIMIZE AOL and then open Internet Explorer as your browser.
   
4. Try optimizing the connection settings in Windows Media Player.
   
   1. In Windows Media Player, click the Tools menu and select Options.
      
   2. Click the Performance tab.
      
   3. Make sure that the connection speed setting is set to Detect connection speed (recommended).
      
   4. Change the Network buffering setting to 10 seconds.
      
   5. Click OK to save the changes.
      
5. If possible, view streamed files during non-peak network times—before 9am and after 6pm.
   
6. If you have problems viewing streamed files, restart your computer and then try to view the files again. Streamed files are memory intensive and restarting your computer will help clear out memory.
   
7. Streamed files cannot be downloaded onto your computer. Streaming audio files are like the picture on your TV screen with each picture constantly replacing the previous one-downloading is simply not an option.
   
8. Be sure to maximize the window in which a streamed lecture is played.
   
9. You can use the buttons in Windows Media Player to stop, pause, and play lectures at any point. For example, if you wish to make notes related to what has just been presented, click the pause button, make your notes and then click the play button to continue. You may also use the contents links in the left-hand frame to move to a specific section of the lecture.
   
10. Total listening/viewing time for each lecture is indicated on the screen.

Other Options

• Ask your instructor for a CD-ROM with the streaming files (if one has not been provided). You will still need Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player, but the files should play better from a CD than over a modem connection.
  
• Visit a friend or family member who has a high-speed Internet connection.
  
• If you live close enough to campus, the Nursing computer lab in the library (room 210)—as well as the 24-hour computer lab in Von Braun Research Hall (across from the duck pond) Room M-10—have up-to-date software that you may use to view streamed files. NOTE: If you wish to listen to lectures in the library or VBRH, you may need to bring your own headphones.