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Frequently Asked Questions

• I am unable to access the webcast. Also unable to access preview site to see if my computer is compatible.
  Have a Macintosh running OS 10.3.9 and Internet Explorer 5.2
• We are very interested in the Webcast that you are presenting. Although some of us will be logging in and watching your webcast, we were just wondering if it was possible to capture your presentation and burn it to CD/DVD?
• It worked before--why not now?
• When I try going on line my computer says "excessive line current unplug phone line to avoid damage to my modem". What is the problem?
• My computer is freezing up!
• How does one register for the webcast?
• Is there a cost for this webcast/teleconference?
• Will the webcast be provided with c-print or something comparable for deaf participants?
• I am getting a funny sound and the captioning is breaking up and hard to read.
• Are Web participants given the same opportunity to ask questions as telephone participants during teleconference/webcasts?
• Due to poor communication, I was unable to hear much of the broadcast. Is it possible to get a text version of the broadcast e-mailed to me?
• One of our members would like to know once this online conference is over, will there be something that we can download as a outcome of this conference?
• I get a message that says something to the effect of "no http" and I can't connect. I can hear the voices, but when the text (captioning) appears on the screen, my computer locks up.
• The prompt says it cannot connect to the DNS (server). It was fine before, then I was disconnnected.
• I am losing my connection off and on, today more than 10 times. I lose all sound and script. I have had our technical people look at our server and connection and I have been advised there is not anything wrong.
• I have done refresh and reload, and the "technical difficulties" message is a different one than the other.
• We are unable to link up - we get a screen that says there are technical difficulties.
• I have windows XP and when I go to the website and click join webcast or listen to webcast in the archives my system just flashes and then nothing. It is as if I never clicked anything.
• I am getting a message on RealOne Player that it can't locate the server and that the server does not have a DNS entry.
• The machine that I am on is behind a firewall. What ports are you using or is there something else I need to do. I have downloaded the plug-in and realplayer.
• Is there any kind of visual available for this webcast BESIDES captioning?
• I don't hear anything.
• What is buffering?
• Can I Control the buffering?
• How do I get the most current version of RealOne Player?
• Nothing happened when RealOne Player appeared on my screen.
• Using volume control
• Is there a way to test Windows Media Player to see if it will work with the upcoming webcast?
• Why do an evaluation?
• How do I configure my web browser to work with RealOne Player?
• How do I install RealOne Player?
• I can't connect--too many people on line? 

If all else fails--call 713-520-0232 (v/TTY) and we'll either help you fix it or commiserate with you!

I am unable to access the webcast. Also unable to access preview site to see if my computer is compatible.
Have a Macintosh running OS 10.3.9 and Internet Explorer 5.2
If you tried to connect using Windows Media, it will not work on a Mac. But Real Video should work as long as you have downloaded the latest Real Player software. The only other issue is to make sure you are not behind some sort of corporate firewall which prohibits Real Videos streaming.

We are very interested in the Webcast that you are presenting. Although some of us will be logging in and watching your webcast, we were just wondering if it was possible to capture your presentation and burn it to CD/DVD?
It is not possible to capture the presentation from the web in its’ native file format. The archive file is for streaming only. That does NOT prohibit anyone with streaming capabilities to simply make an audio recording off of the computer as they watch the presentation. Alternatively, anyone with a scan converter can stream the presentation and record the whole thing to video tape that way if they wanted.

Every time I hook up the page comes on and starts printing (no Volume even though I have it turned to high) gets one page written, then freezes and I get a message that says this program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
I have encountered problems with the RealOne player on Windows ME and some Windows NT operating systems. If your player consistently freezes when you try to play a video or watch a webcast or if your machine locks up causing you to reboot, it may be an obscure software compatibility issue. The solution I have found is to simply remove the RealOne software from your machine and load the older, Real Player 8 software.

What you want is the "RealNetworks Legacy Software Archive" located at http://forms.real.com/real/player/blackjack.html

Once there, select RealPlayer 8 for your operating system. This will bring you to the list of download sites for this player. Select one, download, and install. This should solve your problems. But beware - if you were relying on the RealOne player to do other things like play CD's and/or DVD's - that functionality will be gone.

When I try going on line my computer says excessive line current unplug phone line to avoid damage to my modem. What is the problem?
You need to check with your local telephone company, there is nothing we can do about line current.

I would like to connect to your webcast. I am concerned though because -- a few weeks ago I attempted to connect to another webcast you offered. We tried the test site the day before the webcast and all seemed to be in order. However, on the day of the webcast I was unable to connect and there did not appear to be an excessive number of people signed up for the webcast.
It is difficult to determine the nature of your webcast connection problem. If you can connect to the test site AND you are able to view any of the previous webcasts in the archive section at www.ilru.org, there is no reason why you should not be able to connect to a live event. The usual problems with connectivity fall into 2 categories: firewall issues at your institution or low speed/intermittent network problems which may or may not be local in origin. Most often, there is a particular error message that pops up that can give us a hint at the cause. I suppose there is a possibility that your institution has its firewall set to refuse live RealVideo connections, but usually that prevents viewing archived programs as well.

I am losing my connection off and on, today more than 10 times. I lose all sound and script. I have had our technical people look at our server and connection and I have been advised there is not anything wrong.
We are inclined to say the source is with her internet service provider. Sporadic connection droppings are usually related to excessive ISP traffic problems.

I am getting a funny sound and the captioning is breaking up and hard to read. If a user experiences tinny audio and/or break-up of the caption text, do not be alarmed. This is an indication of heavy network traffic somewhere along your internet connection. You have no control over this. Two things will most likely happen: over a period of time, the connection may speed up and the audio and video will clear up; or, your Real Player will freeze. In either event, it may be helpful to simply hit the stop then the start buttons on the player. This will cause the player to actively seek a better connection. It may or may not find one. Since you are at the mercy of the internet, in a worst case situation, you can simply try watching the archive of the event at a latter time when there is less traffic on the net.

I get a message that says something to the effect of "no http" and I can't connect. I can hear the voices, but when the text (captioning) appears on the screen, my computer locks up.
Tr y re-loading the Real One Player application again. If the screen locks up but the audio continues, you probably have too slow a network connection. If the entire computer locks up (and the audio stops), then either your computer does not have a fast enough processor, you have an old version of Real Player, or your network connection is too slow - or all of the above.

The prompt says it cannot connect to the DNS (server). It was fine before, then I was disconnnected.
Probably a connectivity or firewall issue having to do with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Try again.

I have done refresh and reload, and the "technical difficulties" message is a different one than the other.
The technical difficulties message only appears when you have made a proper connection but no webcast is currently streaming. We may be temporarily off the air due to technical problems or we may NOT be using that particular link - try the alternate webcast link. Or try hitting the play button to connect again.

We are unable to link up - we get a screen that says there are technical difficulties.
The technical difficulties message only appears when you have made a proper connection but no webcast is currently streaming. We may be temporarily off the air due to technical problems or we may NOT be using that particular link - try the alternate webcast link. Or try hitting the play button to connect again.

I have windows XP and when I go to the website and click join webcast or listen to webcast in the archives my system just flashes and then nothing. It is as if I never clicked anything.
Try re-loading the Real One player application from Real.com. Also, make sure that the RealOne player window isn't just hidden behind your browser window.

I am getting a message on RealOne Player that it can't locate the server and that the server does not have a DNS entry. Here is a sample (this is a link to one of the archived web casts): rtsp://video.bcm.tmc.edu/lectures/SERVER_2/WEB_VIDEOS/RIIL02-02-titled.sm
The link as typed above is not complete - so it's probably a connectivity or firewall issue having to do with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Try again or call your ISP support people.

The machine that I am on is behind a firewall. What ports are you using or is there something else I need to do. I have downloaded the plug-in and realplayer. Our suggestion for any issues having to do with firewalls is to go to the following website for answers: www.service.real.com/firewall

Is there any kind of visual available for this webcast BESIDES captioning?
No, our visual IS the captioning. We are trying to make this process as accessible for as many people as possible.

Is there a cost for this webcast/teleconference?
You need to check. There may be a cost for a teleconference/webcast presentation, but MOST webcasts are FREE. We do not charge for the archived presentations.

Will the webcast be provided with c-print or something comparable for deaf participants?
All our webcasts are captioned, and when the archives are put onto the web the following day, the text is also provided as a separate document.

Are Web participants given the same opportunity to ask questions as telephone participants during teleconference/webcasts?
Yes, the operator will check to see if there are any questions from the audience, but the moderator is given all copies of emailed questions so that the presenter has an opportunity to answer them also.

Due to poor communication, I was unable to hear much of the broadcast. Is it possible to get a text version of the broadcast emailed to me?
Once the webcast is archived (usually the following day) a text version will be placed on the web site so that you can access it at any time that you want.

One of our members would like to know once this online conference is over, will there be something that we can download as a outcome of this conference?
There will be a transcript of the presentation made available for you, otherwise, the only materials that are available are the materials the presenters make available.

How does one register for the webcast?
Many Web casts do not require registration. However, we sometimes ask you to complete a brief registration form or to respond to the email notification. This gives us an approximate number to expect and a way to report to our funding agencies the number of participants. Your information is kept confidential and only number of participants and some demographics are reported.

I don't hear anything.
If you can't hear any sounds, check to see if your computer is equipped for sound; does it have loudspeakers or headphones? Does it have a sound card? If sound is working on your computer, you will hear the Microsoft start-up sound when you open Windows. 

If you have sound on your computer but you can't hear sounds on this site, you probably need to either update your browser or download RealOne Player.  

How do I get RealOne Player?
You must download RealOne Player at their site: Real Player.  The download could take from 20 to 90 minutes depending upon your connection speed, i.e. 56k modem, T1 connection, etc.

When the download finishes:
1. Quit all other programs. 
2. Find and then double-click the RealOne Player install file you saved to your Desktop.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.   

How do I install RealOne Player? 
For installation instructions and RealOne Player advice, go to: http://service.real.com/faq/downloadfaqs/rap00907v.html

What is buffering?
Buffering is RealOne Player's way of receiving and storing data before it is played back. Buffering lets RealOne Player play back more of the actual file, providing for better picture and sound quality. 

For example, before you are able to see a video or listen to a file on the Internet, RealOne Player downloads a portion of the file into its buffer and then starts to play it. This type of buffering is called pre-roll. This lets RealOne Player begin playing the file from data already stored in the buffer while it downloads the rest of the file. 

If the file stops playing and RealOne Player displays a message saying it is buffering, RealOne Player is giving the downloading information time to catch up to the speed of the actual presentation. 

Can I control the buffering?

When RealOne Player is installed, it is automatically set to buffer an entire clip whenever possible. This feature instructs RealOne Player to download as much of the file as possible to allow smoother playback.  To shorten the initial loading time when playing files, you may want to disable this feature if you have a high-speed Internet connection. 

While it is not possible to completely eliminate buffering you can greatly reduce the amount of buffering RealOne Player does by disabling this feature. To disable this feature you will need to set the RealOne Player Buffered Play settings to zero. 

1. Start RealOne Player.
2. Click the View (Options) menu and choose Preferences.
3. Click the Connection tab.
4. In the Buffered play dialog box, click Buffer at least..
5. Enter 0 in the Buffer at least box.
6. Click OK.
 

Nothing happened when RealOne Player appeared on my screen.
RealOne Player should begin when it appears on your screen.  If it does not you may need to press the "play" button.

Using volume control
Just under the viewing screen is a small bar with a lever that moves from left to right.  This will control the volume of the presentation. Another option is to use the small symbol for a speaker that is on the bar to the right of 'start.'  Right click on the speaker symbol and open the volume adjustment.  This will adjust the volume for your computer.

Is there a way to test Windows Media Player to see if it will work with the upcoming webcast?
Unfortunately, the archived Web casts will not play with Windows Media Player. However, you can test it with other Media files on the Internet to be sure it plays correctly on your computer. The day of the Web cast, you will be able to use Windows Media Player to view the LIVE presentation.

How do I configure my Web browser to work with RealOne Player?
Please go to http://service.real.com/faq/index.html#playing for help with this question.

Why do an evaluation?
We need your input to continually improve our presentations. The compiled results of all of the evaluations received for a Web cast are shared with our presenters and also with those folks responsible for the design of the training and the technical aspects of the Web cast. Our funding agencies are also very interested in knowing how well our trainings are received and we include this information in our reports to them. We welcome your evalautations and appreciate very much your taking the time to complete them.

I Can't connect--too many people on line? 
You need to be online a little early to make sure you get a 'spot' on the server.  There are only so many spaces available and they may filll up early for our more popular topics.  We continue to expand the space available, so this is becoming less of a problem. Another possibility may be that you need to download the most current version of RealOne Player. 

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