CSUSB-QuickTime Info

Information About Using QuickTime

Viewing Our Video Streams

QuickTime 6 or 7 is required to view our video streams. Our video files may be delivered via a QuickTime link file or via embedded video. The following describes the two methods.

QuickTime Link File: Clicking on a video text link downloads a small QuickTime Link (.qtl) file (approx. 4K) to your computer to access the video. Internet Explorer usually downloads and runs the file, automatically playing the video. Firefox, and other browsers, may bring up a dialog box asking you what to do with the file. Accepting the default "Open with ... QuickTime.qtl (default)" will download the file and start playing the video. Some Safari users may have disabled the default preference "Open safe files after downloading" so that the file doesn't play automatically. Those users must find the downloaded " .qtl" file, usually located on the Desktop, and double-click on it to view the video. After viewing the video, you may delete the QuickTime Link file.
Note: Since that file is a reference to the video, similar to a ".ram" file for RealPlayer, double-clicking on the link file will access the video without having to use a Web browser.

Embedded QuickTime Video: Video may also be delivered via the QuickTime Plug-in. In those instances, clicking on a play button (no text link) will bring up the video in QuickTime Player, a player embedded in a Web page, or a player embedded in a pop-up window.

High Speed Test Stream

Low Speed Test Stream

About Data Rates

Data rate refers to the speed of the data stream between the server and your computer. It is expressed in bits per second or bps. Video streams are optimized for specific data rates to allow for various types of Internet connectivity.

Special software is used for encoding and compressing the video for streaming at a specified data rate. The data rate for broadband access is generally 256 Kbps and above. The data rate for dial-up modem is 42 Kbps.

DSL and cable modems usually have download data rates in excess of 300 Kbps, they can range as high as 768 Kbps to 3 Mbps, but that rate can drop to 300 Kbps due to various factors. For that reason, we provide video streams for the 300-500 Kbps range.

Modem data rates are determined not only by the speed of the modem but also by the connection speed provided by the Internet Service Provider (ISP). A modem may be rated at 56 Kbps but the connection speed may only be 28.8 Kbps. The following URL is for a Web site that provides information that may help you to obtain the highest connection speed possible with your modem and ISP: http://www.56k.com/

Special Info About Cable, DSL Access and Network Firewalls

Some Cable and DSL configurations, some home network installations, or network firewalls may block the standard method used for accessing the video streams. When you click on "Play Video", Quicktime should automatically configure the transport settings for the appropriate communications protocol for your situation. If it doesn't, you can check your transport settings by following these steps:

Embedded Video Player

Click on the "down arrow" at the end of the playbar below the video window and select Plug-in Settings... from the menu.
Go to the Advanced tab.
Check Transport Setup setting and ensure it's set to Automatic.
Close the Plug-in Settings... dialog box and try to play the video.

When you try to play the video, you may see a message, "Switching Transports", as QuickTime attempts to play the video. If you're still experiencing problems, please see Technical Problems in the left-hand side bar.

QuickTime Player: Macintosh - Go to QuickTime Player in the menu bar, select QuickTime Preferences..., and follow steps 2 and 3 for the embedded video player.; MS Windows - Go to Edit - Preferences - QuickTime Preferences..., and follow steps 2 and 3 for the embedded video player.

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Checking Your QuickTime Installation

Macintosh Users (OS 8/9) -

Locate the QuickTime folder (QuickTime is installed by default on Macintosh computers). It will be in either the "Applications" folder or at the root level of your hard drive (the first list of files/folders that you see when you double-click on the hard drive icon).
Open the QuickTime folder and find QuickTime Player.
Click once on the QuickTime Player icon to highlight it.
Go to File on the Menu bar and select Get Info and General Information.
If it is not version 6.0 or higher, you need to update your QuickTime installation.
Note: Many of our streams are being converted to H.264. That requires version 7 of QuickTime and that version is not available for MacOS 8/9.

MacOS X -

Locate QuickTime Player in the Applications folder.
Click once on the QuickTime Player icon to highlight it.
Go to File on the Menu bar and select Get Info.
You will find the version number under General:. If it is not version 6.0 or higher, you need to update your QuickTime installation.

Note : For both OS 8/9 and OS X, you may check the exact version number by starting the player, going to the Apple Menu (8/9) or QuickTime Player (X) on the menu bar and select About QuickTime Player ....

MS Windows Users -

Go to the Start menu and select Programs.
Find QuickTime. If QuickTime does not exist, you need to install it (please see the link above).
Start the QuickTime Player (If you have "MoviePlayer", you need to update your QuickTime installation.).
Go to the Help menu for QuickTime Player and select About QuickTime Player....
If it is not version 6.0 or higher, update your QuickTime installation.

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