Streaming Video Help

Be sure to Check the Minimum System Requirements

Question: I have all the recommended software installed but I am still unable to view the video, what can I do?

Our Suggestion:  Older versions of Windows Media Player do not support the latest file formats and may not work properly.  If you are using Netscape, you may need to re-install Windows Media Player for it to function properly.

Second, check that your Media Player is configured to use the TCP, UDP, and HTTP protocols.  To check this, open Windows Media Player, then click on Tools, then Options.  Then select the Network tab. Mac users should click on the Windows Media Player menu and select Preferences.

From the Options/Prefernces panel make sure that all of the protocols are allowed:

Question:  I can hear the audio, but I can’t see anything, what’s wrong?

Our Suggestion:  First, make sure you aren’t tuned in to an audio-only stream.  Second, check that your internet connection is fast enough and that it is working properly.

Question: The web cast buffers a lot even though I have a high speed connection.

Our Suggestion:  The #1 cause of buffering is poor network connectivity.  This may not be a problem with your network but may be caused by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) getting overloaded.  This is especially likely during peak usage hour.

If you experience excessive buffering after 15 seconds to 1 minute, no matter what you try, you may be experiencing a firewall problem.   The problem has to do with the way some firewalls handle streaming traffic.  To fix the problem, you must update your firewall’s firmware.  For instructions on how to update your firewall’s firmware, contact your firewall vendor.  They will be able to provide you with firmware updates and easy to follow instructions on how to install them.

Question:  The webcast stopped while I was watching it, how can I fix it?

Our Suggestion:  Occasionally network connections are dropped due to problems somewhere on the Internet.  When this happens it could cause your Media Player to stop playing the stream.  In most cases the Media Player will automatically start again after a short period of time, but in other cases you will have to refresh the page.

Question:  My video player just says “Ready” and does not play any video or audio, what should I do?

Our Suggestion:  The video player will say “Ready” when you have reached the end of the video clip, or when there has been a serious error with the video file.   If you have Windows Media Player version 9 or higher installed and still get this message, please right-click on the black area of the video player, and click on “Error Details” on the pop-up menu.  Write down the exact wording of the error message, along with the name of the video that you were trying to watch, and report the problem to the webmaster.
Mac users: This problem often occurs when viewing Window Media files. Often Refreshing the browser window is all that is required to 'kick-start' the video. This is an issue with the Windows Media Player software for Mac.

Question: My video player just shows a blue screen, what is going on?

Our Suggestion:  The streaming system shows a blue screen when it is not receiving a signal from the cable network or video feed.  If you are watching an on-demand clip, try selecting one of the Jump-To points from the jump-to dropdown.  If you are watching a live stream, please make sure that there is a broadcast in progress.  If a broadcast is in progress and you are still getting a blue screen, we may be having technical difficulties.  Rest assured, if that is the case, we are working as hard as we can to fix the problem.  Try again in a few minutes and it will probably work.