Technical Support

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR WATCHING VIDEOS ON CHILDNETT.TV®


What is required to view videos on Childnett.tv®?

Can I use the Netscape browser to watch videos on Childnett.tv®?

Can I use my Apple Macintosh to watch videos on Childnett.tv®?

Can I use the AOL browser to watch videos on Childnett.tv®?

Can I use the MSN browser to watch videos on Childnett.tv®?

Can I use QuickTime or RealPlayer to watch videos on Childnett.tv®?

 

QUESTIONS REGARDING CHILDNETT.TV VIDEO CONTENT


Can I download Childnett.tv® videos to my computer?

 

QUESTIONS REGARDING STREAMING VIDEO


Why are the videos choppy or freezing?

Why can I hear the audio but not see the video?

What does bandwidth mean and what is the difference between 56k and 300k?


HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT VIDEO ISSUES


Even though I have all the system requirements, why can't I see or hear any videos?


REQUEST ONLINE HELP


Click here to request online help.

 

What is required to view videos on Childnett.tv®

Operating System:
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, NT, 2000, ME and XP or:
Apple OS 9, 9.1, 9.2 and OS X.

Adobe Flash Player 8 or later.
Click here to upgrade to the latest version of Macromedia Flash Player.

Can I use the Netscape browser to watch videos on Childnett.tv®?

Yes.

Can I use my Apple Macintosh to watch videos on this web site?

Yes.

Can I use the AOL browser to watch videos on this website?

Yes.

Can I use the MSN browser to watch videos on this website?

Yes.

Can I use QuickTime or RealPlayer to watch videos on this website?

This website does not currently support QuickTime or RealPlayer.

Can I download Childnett.tv® videos to my computer?

Currently this feature is not available.

Why are the videos choppy or freezing?

The quality of the video clip you are watching mainly depends on two factors: (a) the speed of your Internet connection and (b) the bit rate (speed) of the video clip. The faster the bit rate of the video clip, the better the quality. However, the speed of your Internet connection will limit which video clip bit rate that you can watch. For example, if you only have a 56kbs dial up connection to the Internet, the highest video clip bit rate that you will be able to watch will be 56kbs or less (most likely less as the majority of dial-up connections only get speeds of 28kbs or less due to phone line issues). If you try to watch a video clip with a bit rate of 300kbs over a dial up connection, the video will not play. That is why we offer multiple bit rates for each video clip. Each bit rate is optimized for the different types of Internet connections available (Dial-up/DSL/Cable Modem/T1). As you can see, it is very important that you select the proper video clip bit rate for your Internet connection. For the best viewing experience, we recommend a high speed Internet connection such as DSL or Cable Modem.

It is important to note that even if you have a high-speed (DSL/ Cable Modem/ T1), Internet traffic congestion affects your connection speed and/or video performance. You will get slower or faster speeds at different times depending on peak or off-peak use hours. You may also get slower speeds during the morning and afternoon, but faster speeds late at night when fewer people are online. Also, streaming quality decreases when multiple people share the same Internet connection (e.g. at work or on a home network).


Why can I hear the audio but not see the video?

This occurs when the speed of your Internet connection is lower than the bit rate of the video clip you are watching and can be caused by either (a) your selecting of a bit rate for the video clip that is to high for your Internet connection or (b) Internet traffic congestion reduces the speed of your connection below what it should be (for example, you have a high speed DSL or cable modem connection to the Internet, but due to Internet congestion or shared usage, the effective speed of your Internet connection is actually closer to a 56kbs dial up connection).

What does bandwidth mean and what is the difference between 56k and 300k?

Bandwidth is a term used to describe connection speed to the Internet. The numbers 56k, 300k and others describe the minimum Internet connection you need to experience the associated video or audio program. For instance, 56k requires a minimum of a 56 kbps connection to the Internet. The content may be transferred at a lower rate as long as it is suitable for the connection speed. You can always play the lower speed content over higher speed lines, but a higher number (100k, 300k, 500k, etc.) generally provides better overall quality of streaming.

Even though I have all the system requirements, why can't I see or hear any videos?

1. If you launch Childnett.tv® on Windows 98 while other audio applications -- including but not limited to mp3 players -- are running, you may have trouble hearing Childnett.tv® sound. If this is the case, close your browser and all audio applications. Restart your browser and enter Childnett.tv®.
2. Click here to go to Windows Media and Firewalls for firewall configuration settings if you are connecting to Childnett.tv® from work and are behind a firewall.

childnett.tv is a project of the Dan Marino Foundation. ©2007
www.danmarinofoundation.org