This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but is accessible to any browser or Internet device.
Well, now you have to make sure you can play the streamed video on your computer. To do so, your computer needs to be set up to receive a streamed program. Streamed media is so cool because you can watch it on the fly-as it is being sent from Michigan Tech's server to your computer. You don't need to wait for the entire hour or two of lecture to download before you can watch, and you don't need a lot of space on your hard disk to save the downloaded file.
When you watch a streamed video, it's just like watching a television program. But unlike a scheduled tv show, your videostreamed lecture is available for viewing anytime.
You'll need a computer, an internet connection and web browser, and a program to play the video.
The people who bring us the streaming technology recommend the following computer configurations:
Audio and video performance will increase if your computer meets or exceeds the following:
To access the information superhighway (internet), you'll need an internet connection (on ramp) and a web browser (vehicle). There are several types of internet connections available depending on your circumstances.
If you are connecting from your place of employment or an educational institution, contact your system administrator or support personnel.
If you need to connect from home, you'll need to connect via your computer's modem to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). There are plenty of ISPs around (AOL is a biggie). You can locate ISPs near you look in your phone book in the yellow pages under Internet Service Providers. If you have access to a web browser (many local libraries have one if you don't) you can visit one of the following URLs to locate an ISP:
These web sites usually use your area code to generate a list of providers that serve the area.
Providers that are actually geographically located in your area usually provide better customer service than the "biggies" like America Online.
If your town is truly small and you don't find anything via the aforementioned Web sites or the phone book, call the nearest community college and see if they can give you an internet account.
Remember: the faster, the better: the speed of your internet connection will effect the quality of the streamed audio and video.
Your computer will need a web browser installed. Streaming media works best with either Internet Explorer 4.01 or later or Netscape 4.0 or later.
If you don't currently have a web browser on your computer, talk to your ISP, or visit a computer retailer in your area.
If you have a browser older than version 4 (version 3 or 2, for example), visit
Netscape: http://www.netscape.com or
Internet Explorer: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/
to download an update (look for the download button on the web page).
Streaming media players work within your web browser to show the streamed video. These players are plugins that must be downloaded from a web site and installed within your browser. The two currently supported by Michigan Tech are RealPlayer and QuickTime.
RealPlayer. You can download this program at http://realplayer.com
RealPlayer Basic is a free download (you may have to search for the link to the free player). RealPlayer Plus costs $29.99 and offers features not included in the free version--although the free version is fine for viewing your courses.
For help with RealPlayer problems or errors, check out the customer support web page http://realplayer.com [click on services and support in the blue bar near the bottom of the web page].
QuickTime. You can download this program at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/
Click on downloads in the green bar near the top of the screen.
Be sure you pay attention to where on your computer (which folder) you save the downloaded player (you want to be able to find it later).
To install the players, run the installer program you downloaded:
PC: run the install .EXE program (Click on Start, select Run, type in name of installer; or double click on the .EXE program.
Mac: double click the install program icon
To view your class, you need to go to the webmedia website and start the stream.