Q: How do I access audio and video files?
A: When you click on a link to hear an audiocast or view a streaming video, Windows Media Player will start playing it automatically. The first step is to ensure you have the appropriate hardware and software, as follows:
- Hardware: You will need a computer with a sound card and either speakers or headphones. Most computers sold within the last five years or advertised as "multimedia" have these.
- Software: You will need Windows Media Player, which is available for free and can be downloaded online
. We recommend the latest version (version 9), but our audiocasts and videos should also play in versions 7 or 8.
If you cannot hear or view the broadcast, the problem is likely that either Windows Media Player has not been installed, or your computer network is operating behind a "firewall" that is blocking reception of broadband media. A firewall is software or hardware used to keep unauthorized users from accessing your computer, but it can also block incoming data, such as media.
First, make sure that you have a recent version of Windows Media Player and download a newer version if necessary.
If you have the most recent version, check whether there is a firewall enabled on your network:
- If you are on an office network, you may need to ask your network administrator to allow access to the ports used by the Windows media player .
- If you are on a home network, consult your firewall's documentation for instructions on how to allow audio/video streaming. Some antivirus software can also block streaming audio/video content. Disable your antivirus software temporarily to determine if this is the source of the problem. If the stream works, consult your documentation to learn how to permit audio/video streams, and don't forget to reactivate your antivirus software.
The following are helpful links for the Windows Media Player:
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