Please complete this check list (numbers 1 - 6) first before continuing to the questions below!

1. Does your computer meet the recommended system requirements?

A. 500 MHz Intel Pentium III processor or greater

B. 128 MB of RAM

C. Windows XP SP2, 2000SP2+, Vista

D. Current Internet browser -- Internet Explorer 6.0, Firefox 2.0

E. 28.8 kilobit per second modem (sound only); 56.0 kbps modem (sound and poor video quality); high-speed connection such as DSL or Cable (good sound and video quality)

F. 52 MB available disk space

G. Quality sound card, speakers and video card set to 800x600

2. Are you using the latest version of RealPlayer?

A. Download the latest version here: Download RealPlayer. 

     If the above link does not work, please try this one: Download RealPlayer Enterprise. 

        or

B. Go to Tools/Check for Update. Click here for a picture.

3. What kind of an Internet connection are you using: dial-up or broadband (high speed)?

A. Check RealPlayer 10's Connection settings by going to Tools/Preferences...  Click here for a picture.

B. Then click on Connection in the left menu listing and then click Test Connection... in the right window. Click here for a picture.  

C. Make sure the Maximum setting matches the Normal setting. 

4. Is your computer running any other programs? 

A. Keep only RealPlayer and the Internet browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc) open.

B. Close all other programs especially any Microsoft Office programs, email programs, and instant messengers, including those running in the System Tray. 

5. Are firewalls or closed ports interfering with the connection?

A. Allow all firewalls to stream video and audio content

B. Ensure all necessary ports, on the local machine at at the ISP (Internet Service Provider), are open to allow streaming content: 80, 8080, and perhaps 554 and 1755.

 

6. Is the security software on the computer adequate, configured, and updated? 

A. Adequate security on a computer includes anti virus protection, anti-spam protection and spy-ware protection.

B. Properly configured security software allows streaming media to run on the computer.

C. Get the latest updates and perform complete scans of all drives on the computer.

Other questions and concerns:

Can I test my connection?


My sound quality is poor, what can I do?

Assuming that the check list above (1-6) has been completed,  you can restart RealPlayer and try connecting to the stream again.  Please be aware that many factors influence the quality of an audio/video stream such as Internet congestion, problems with the local ISP, and/or problems with the stream itself.

My video quality is poor, what can I do?

Assuming that the check list above (1-6) has been completed,  you can restart RealPlayer and try connecting to the stream again.  Poor video quality can be caused by inadequate video cards. Also, the size of the image on the local computer can distort the image. Normally, video images are best seen at a size around 1 1/2 to 2 inches square. Please be aware that many factors influence the quality of an audio/video stream such as Internet congestion, problems with the local ISP, and/or problems with the stream itself.

RealPlayer starts and stops and says it is buffering, what is happening?

Assuming that the check list above (1-6) has been completed,  you can restart RealPlayer and try connecting to the stream again.  Please be aware that many factors influence the quality of an audio/video stream such as Internet congestion, problems with the local ISP, and/or problems with the stream itself. Buffering is usually caused by the computer receiving too much information too fast or by the loss of information over a given connection. 

I cannot see the slides, what can I do?

If the broadcast does include slides, and not all broadcasts do, then in RealPlayer 10 press the F9 key, wait a moment, and press the F7 key. This key sequence enables some instances of RealPlayer to refresh the slide window. 

I'm using a laptop and a wireless connection, is that a problem?

It can be. Wireless connections are not always the best type of connections for streaming media. A hardwire connection is recommended.

I'm behind a corporate firewall / using a proxy server, what can I do?

Contact your system administrator and request that the audio/video stream be permitted to run on the local computer.

Does RealPlayer provide technical support?

Technical support on the web from Real is available at this link.    --    (http://service.real.com/realplayer/streamhelp/)

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