video help

Streaming Video and Audio Help Page

Instead of having to download an entire audio or video file BEFORE you can use it, streaming files download AS you use them. The streaming formats that CNN Interactive currently supports are Quicktime, RealVideo, and Windows Media.

To be able to play Quicktime, RealVideo, and Windows Media streaming movies and sounds, download their plug-ins.






Video Pop-Up Features:





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Required Hardware

Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, NT, 3.1

  • Pentium or greater
  • 16MB RAM or greater
  • 2MB Hard Disk Space
  • 16-bit Sound Card
  • 28.8 modem or greater
  • 256 colors or greater
  • MAC

  • PowerPC
  • 16MB Ram or greater
  • 2 MB Hard Disk Space
  • 28.8 modem or greater
  • 256 colors or greater






  • Web Browser

    CNN Video is best viewed using Netscape 4.0 or above or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or above.

    You can download a browser at the Netscape site or the Microsoft site.







    Browser Configuration

    In order to enable your browser to accept streaming video you must configure your Preferences correctly.

    Netscape Navigator for Windows or Macintosh
    or
    Internet Explorer for the Macintosh

    Open your browser and choose the EDIT menu.
    Select Preferences and choose Applications or Receiving Files.
    Add a New helper with the following information in the appropriate fields.

  • Description: RealMedia File
  • Extension: .ra, .ram, .rm
  • MIME Type: audio/x-pn-realaudio

  • Make sure the files are Handled By: the RealPlayer application.
    You must set another New file for the RealPlug-in.
    Change the Description to RealPlayer Plug-in. Extension to .rpm
    and Mime type to audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin.


    Internet Explorer 4.0 on Windows:

    Right click on My Computer.
    In the Windows explolrer, click View then Options.
    Click the File Types tab.
    Add a New helper with the following information in the appropriate fields.

  • Description: RealMedia File
  • Extension: .ra, .ram, .rm
  • MIME Type: audio/x-pn-realaudio
  • Click the Edit button, enter the following information in the Action dialog box.
    Action open.
    Application used to perform action browse to the location of the application RealPlayer.
    Click OK then click Close.







    Common Problems

    Quicktime Windows Media RealVideo
  • Quicktime Support
  • Windows Media Player FAQ
  • Audio Playback Quality
  • Quicktime Troubleshooting
  • About the Windows Media Player
  • Video Playback Quality
  • Firewalls
  • About Microsoft NetShow Services
  • Firewalls
  • Full Screen Playback
  • Real: cannot buffer entire clip

    If you recieve the message cannot buffer entire clip you need to lower the number of seconds your player is taking to buffer the stream.

    For Windows

    Right click on the video image. Select Edit Preferences. Under the General tab look for Buffered Play. Choose Buffered at least... Enter the number of seconds you want your player to buffer for (try 10 seconds). Click OK.

    For Mac

    Hold down mouse button on video image. Select Edit Preferences. Look for PerfectPLay/BufferedPLay. Choose Buffered at least... Enter the number of seconds you want your player to buffer for (try 10 seconds). Click OK.


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