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Instructions for Participating in a Web Cast

To participate in the Web cast via your computer, you will need one of two plug-ins, RealOne Player® or Windows Media Player.  Generally, you will be given a choice of which media player you want to use for the live broadcast. The archived Web casts are only available through RealOne Player Media Player.

If you do not have a RealOne Player plug-in, a  free version is available for download from the Internet.

If you do not have Windows Media Player you can download a copy from the Internet.

Note:  Depending on your connection speed, it could take from 20-60 minutes to download and install either player.

Step 1

Review the speaker's handouts. These may include an agenda as well as information for discussion during the Web cast.

Step 2

You are invited to submit questions on the topic during the Web cast. During the introduction to the Web cast, the moderator will provide instructions on how to email questions and will repeat the information from time to time during the Web cast.

Step 3

You can test your RealOne Player at ILRU's archived presentations site prior to the Web cast. Although the Windows Media Player will NOT play any of the archived presentations, you may want to test it by playing other media files available on the Web.

When you click on the "Go to Web cast" link, your media player should open automatically. You will then be able to view the broadcast screen and listen to the audio. Depending on your connection speed, it may take a few minutes for the transmission to begin.

The Web cast consists of an audio broadcast of a live presentation accompanied by real-time captioning. Some Web casts will also display PowerPoint slides during the presentation. Since there is a slight delay in the time between the audio and the captioning, you may want to minimize that screen if you do not require captioning.

For those using dial-up connections, there may be pauses in the audio and video transmission caused by "buffering". This is often caused by a slow connection speed or heavy Web traffic or usage by others on your netowrk. If the transmission stops and does not resume in 1-2 seconds, press the Stop and then the Start buttons on your on-screen media player to restart the broadcast. Remember, all Web casts are archived and are generally available within 24 hours of the broadcast. Often archived Web casts experience fewer of the transmission problems of live Web casts and they can be stopped and started at will.