Here are some recent questions we have been asked about watching webstreams. Click on a link for our response:

• Where do I find webstreams I have bought?
• What equipment do I need to watch a webstream?
• What are the requirements for an internet connection?
• What are the system requirements for viewing a Mediasite presentation?
• Do I need special software to view a Mediasite presentation?
• How do I download and install a streaming player?
• Why doesn't the presentation appear?
• What do I do if there is no sound?
• What if I can hear the audio, but cannot see the video?
• Why is the video so slow and choppy?
• How do I step through the presentation, or start at a chosen point?

Where do I find webstreams I have bought?

Any webstreams you have purchased will be available on your My BRANZ page. You can join or sign in to My BRANZ at the top of your screen.

What equipment do I need to watch a webstream?

You can watch the video on your computer monitor, or, for groups, you can project the webcast onto a larger screen or wall. You will need a LCD projector (found in many conference rooms) and a laptop computer. Connect the laptop to the internet and to the LCD projector. Just add a set of speakers, and a large crowd can hear and watch the presentation.

What are the requirements for an internet connection?

If you have an ADSL or cable (broadband) connection, you should have no problem receiving the audio and video stream. Dial-up modems need to be a minimum of 56 kbps. A bandwidth of 256Kbps is preferred.

What are the system requirements for viewing a Mediasite presentation?

A computer with 256 MB RAM and a sound card with speakers or headphones and Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser. You will also need streaming player software such as Windows Media Player 9.0.

Do I need special software to view a Mediasite presentation?

A Mediasite presentation requires no special software to be loaded on the viewer's PC. Internet Explorer (5.5 or higher) along with the Windows Media Player (6.4 or higher) is all that is required. Windows Media Player 9 is preferred - if a version older then 9 is used, the Windows Media Codecs should be installed. These Codecs can be found at Microsoft's website: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp

How do I download and install a streaming player?

Check to see if you have Windows Media Player installed on your computer. The latest version is free and available for downloading from Microsoft's website: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp

Why doesn't the presentation appear?

If you're using pop-up blocker, configure it to allow site pop-ups. In Microsoft Internet Explorer, go to Tools->Pop-up Blocker->Turn off Pop-up Blocker.

What do I do if there is no sound?

Check to see that your speakers are:

• connected to the correct port on the back of your computer
• plugged into a power outlet
• turned on and turned up to an audible level.

Adjust your system volume settings:

• Click Start->Settings->Control Panel.
• Select Multimedia (Sounds and Audio Devices).
• Select the audio icon from the audio tab and turn up the volume. Check that the mute boxes are not checked. (If the playback audio area is inaccessible, it is likely that your system is not configured for sound.)

Turn up the volume on the media player:

• Open your media player from your Start menu.
• Look for the speaker icon and adjust the volume using the slide bar next to the icon.

What if I can hear the audio, but cannot see the video?

Your version of Windows Media Player may not have the newest video decoding components. If this is the problem, Media Player should try to automatically download the required components from Microsoft's site. Your internet connection may not be able to maintain a steady 56 kbps stream. You need a 33 kbps actual connection to see video. If your actual connection drops below 33 kbps, the media player will provide only the audio part of the broadcast.

Why is the video so slow and choppy?

If you are using a 56 kbps modem (or less), you may experience a slow transmission rate, and the image may be choppy at times of high traffic on the Internet. Try closing all other applications. Keep in mind that this is not a television signal, and that the video and audio transmission put a tremendous load on current internet technologies.

How do I step through the presentation, or start at a chosen point?

Wait for the video to fully download before attempting to step through the presentation. The length of the video and your internet connection will affect how long it takes. Once it is loaded, go to the "Slide List", select from the slides where you want to start and click on the "Play from Slide" button.