- Q - I'm having trouble watching flash video on my computer. What can I do?
A - Most likely you either don't have the latest version of the flash player installed on your computer, or you have a corrupt installation. Follow the steps below to solve these problems:- Download the flash uninstaller program from Adobe's website: http://www.adobe.com/go/tn_14157
- Run the uninstall program, and reboot your computer
- Download the latest version of Flash Player: http://www.adobe.com/go/gntray_dl_getflashplayer
- Q - The wait circle just spins on a video, whats wrong?
A - If you just opend an archived video and you see the wait circle spinning for over a minute, then your network may be behind a firewall that is not allowing TVW's streams to pass through. Please have your IT staff contact us at 360.725.3999 so we can give directions on how to get access to TVW's media. If your a home user, please adjust your home firewall software to allow TCP port 1935 (flash streaming services). If the video stops and begins to show the spinning wait graphic, then there may be bandwidth loss between your computer and our servers. Please be patient as it tries to re-connect. If it lasts for more than a minute, then refresh your browser to get the player started again.
- Q - What are the basic requirements to listen or watch content on the TVW website?
A - The basic requirements generally include a computer with a sound card, speakers and a 14.4k modem connection or higher for audio, or a cable/dsl/lan connection connection or higher for video. You'll also need RealPlayer or Windows Media Player software to experience webcasting content on the TVW website. You can download the software and review the system requirements at www.real.com. you can also upgrade your Windows Media Player here. TVW suggested browsers.
Windows: Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 and above, Netscape 4 and above, Mozilla FireFox (get proper Plug-in)
Apple OS: Safari, Mozilla Firefox (get proper Plug-in) SEE QUESTIONS 3 & 4
NOTE: All other operating systems and browsers may work with our webcast content although added plugins may be required based on the selected browser. TVW offers alternative links on our archived and live content pages for playing in default media players where installed. - Q - How do I listen to Real or Windows Media content on the TVW website?
A - TVW's Real Media content is represented with the icon
, or will specifically state the event is a listen or watch event in Real Media. RealPlayer versions Real One Player and below are compatible with TVW’s media stream. Although version 7 and above are recommended, Real Networks currently provides a free version of all of it’s players. This includes the newest version “Real One”. Enhanced versions of the players with more functionality are available for purchase at real.com. Both the free and enhanced version of all releases will play all TVW content and are available for download from Real Networks.
TVW's Windows Media content is represented with the icon
, or will specifically state the event is a listen or watch event in Windows Media. If your computers operating system is windows 98SE and above, the Windows Media Player will launch automatically upon selecting a windows media event. Apple Macintosh or other Operating system users can download Windows Media Player for your specific operating system at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp.
Click Logos To Get Realplayer or Windows Media Player:
- Q- I use an Apple computer, how can I watch streaming video or audio from your site?
A- If your apple computer is pre-Intel based (power PC), you can simply download windows media player for Mac (Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X, Windows Media Player 7.1 for Mac OS 8.1-9x).
For Intel Based Mac's, windows media player is not supported so you need to install "Flip 4 Mac" provided through Microsoft’s website as a free download. This is a software plug-in for QuickTime player that allows you to play Windows Media content in QuickTime. Get this plug-in here.
- Q- So I installed "Flip 4 Mac" but still can’t see video on the website.
A- You can configure "Flip 4 Mac" in the control panel of OS X, allowing it to play windows media embedded in your browser. Alternatively we provide a link below the video labeled "Play in default player", this will launch the video or audio in QuickTime player and circumvents the need for any configuration changes.
- Q - Does the content TVW provides cost anything?
A - No, all streaming content on the TVW website is provided to the public free of charge.
- Q- What about Podcasts? how do I listen to them and do you have video podcasts?
A- Here is some information about podcastsing on tvw.org:
What Is Podcasting?
Podcasting is a new way to download audio files from the Internet. A podcast is any audio program that is stored as mp3 and made available via a language known as RSS (Really Simple Syndication). It enables you to have your own personal version of that program via download. In this case, that would be your favorite TVW produced programs. And it's free! For more specifics and for useful links on podcasting, you can visit this Wikipedia podcasting entry.
What Do I Need to Podcast?
All you need is an internet connection, a computer, and free podcasting software. Podcast software can be downloaded at such sites as IPodder, JPodder & Itunes from Apple. iPodderX is also available specifically for Macs. Then follow the directions after installation of the software to find podcasts. Once you've downloaded the podcasts, you can transfer those to your iPod or any other mp3 player. You don't need to have an mp3 player to listen to the podcasts, you can listen to them strictly on your computer if you desire.
For those using a PC, here's a helpful tutorial on podcasting with Windows Media Player. You can also download Windows Media Player 10 if you need to upgrade
TVW allows you download an MP3 of an event (if it is available) from any of our pages that display media links. You can also subscribe to the RSS (XML) feed of that event type or alternatively, TVW has posted all of the available podcasts (Video and Audio) to the Apple I-Tunes directory and you can open I-Tunes directly from the I-Tunes icon. We also post podcast feeds to feedburner.com.
VIDEO Podcasts - Video podcasts are only avaible for download by subscribing to one of TVW's syndicated feeds (RSS) that has video content. Only selected events such as "Legislative Review" are available for video download. The video is encoded and optimized to play on video enabled I-Pods or Quicktime player.
NOTE: TVW does not directly support any of the applications used to collect, display or play podcasts(audio or video). TVW simply offers the most simple and standardized methods retrieve and listen to our syndicated web audio and video content.
- Q - I'm having trouble listening to content on the TVW website, how do I troubleshoot it?
A - For Real Media content, Real Networks has prepared an excellent troubleshooting guide which is available on their website. Owners of RealPlayer Plus and Real One software may also contact Real Networks Technical Support by telephone. Although RealPlayer software or Windows Media Player is not sold or created by TVW, support is also available through our Web Support Team. Please note that answer times from TVW technical support staff may be significantly longer due to the amount of support messages we may receive.
If you are using an older version of the MSN browser and experiencing problems, switching to Netscape or Internet Explorer 4 or above browser will allow you to listen to RealAudio or Windows Media or content on this site.
- Q- I am an I.T. support person or administrator from a State/City/Federal agency or from a corporation and am having trouble with my clients connecting to TVW’s webcasts or downloading podcasts.
A- Please call us directly at 360.725.3999 and ask for our I.T. department and we can assist you.
- Q - Can I get an audio, transcript or videotape of an event?
A - TVW makes videotapes of all events it covers available for purchase. Audiotapes and transcripts of programs are not available, but the audio of all TVW events is available using RealAudio, Windows Media and podcasts (mp3’s of select events only) at TVW's website (www.tvw.org).
- Q - I am receiving an error message stating "The Requested File cannot be found." - What do I do?
A - We make every attempt to put notification audio of the future live events status but if you are receiving this error and not getting our status message, this probably means that the event hasn't yet started. LIVE events are often delayed several minutes after their posted start times due to circumstances beyond our control. Simply wait a few minutes and try the link again. If you receive this message while attempting to access an archived event, please wait 30 minutes from the ending of a live event and try your request again. There is a good chance that the event has been moved to our archive server and it usually takes about 30 minutes for the website to update with changes. If it is well past the events air time or you still cannot access an event after this time period, please e-mail support@tvw.org with a short note informing us of the problem and the event you were trying to access when the error occurred.
- Q - Why can't I record content from the TVW website?
A - Capturing, copying, or redistribution of TVW content is explicitly prohibited by our Copyright Policy. There are exceptions to the use of TVW content, so individuals interested in using such content should consult this policy before using TVW content.
- Q - How do I find LIVE programming?
A - All live programming (including Webcast only events) is featured on our LIVE Programming. Click here to see complete LIVE listings for TVW, updated daily.
- Q - What if I have a question that is not answered here?
A - TVW Technical Support is available to answer all your website related questions. Simply contact us.