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Browser Requirements | Streaming
Video | Video CDs (VCDs) | File Attachments
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Browser Requirements
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To best view our shows on the Web, you'll need the
following:
We make these recommendations because we can't test every browser
configuration. However, you may be able to view our site well a
different browser, and we'd be interested in hearing about your
experience! Note: You must have "Cookies" and JavaScript
enabled in your web browser for the best experience with our site.
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Streaming Video
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Video Player
We use RealPlayer for streaming video. To watch streaming video from
our site, first make sure you have the correct player installed. There
is a free version of the Real Player, which is fine for our
videos, downloadable from their website. But you may have to search
around for it-- once you get to their page, scroll down and look for the
"free" or "basic" player, which is currently about
in the middle of their page here:
(link to free player opens in a new window)
They have Players available for both Macintosh (OS 8.1 and higher)
and Windows (95/98/NT), and even unsupported versions for Linux and
Solaris.  Real currently
has a new version of their player, Real Player One (aka Version 9).
Connection Speed
There have been many technology advances in streaming video and we
use the latest equipment and encoders, but watching video over the
Internet can still be a slow process. For best results, select the video
matching the connection speed you have to the Internet. For instance,
- Choose "56K" if you're connecting with a standard 56K
(or slower) modem. If you don't know which speed you're connecting
at, choosing "56K" will be safest.
- Choose "256K" or "Cable/DSL" if you have a
higher speed connection through your cable company or other
provider.
Some technically savvy viewers may want to know why we chose the
RealVideo format for streaming video. There are three main choices for
streaming video in the market today: RealVideo from RealNetworks, Active
Streaming Format from Microsoft, and QuickTime from Apple. While all of
these formats have pluses and minuses, we chose RealVideo because:
- It is available on the largest number of operating systems, which
means more viewers can watch our content,
- It has a very good low-bandwith encoder, meaning that viewers with
slower (e.g., 56K) connections have a better experience, and
- It encodes files quickly, which allows us to process video clips
faster and get more of them to you.
We continually evaluate current technology and market conditions, and
will let you know if we decide to stream in additional formats.
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Video CD (VCD)
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A Video CD (VCD) is better-than-VHS quality that is stored
digitally on a CD-ROM or CD-RW disc, much like the music that you buy in
the store.
However, VCD discs are compatible with almost all DVD players, meaning
you can play them directly on your television set. Plus, they're also
compatible with almost any computer with a CD-ROM drive (or equivalent) as
long as you have a software program for DVD playback (or search
www.download.com for "DVD player").
VCDs can have menus like a DVD, and support digital fastforward, rewind,
and track playing for a better-than-VHS viewing experience. |
Attachments
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To reduce file size and transmission times, we often send
e-mail with compressed attachments. Here are the two main attachment
types we currently use and the free programs you can use to open them:
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eFax Attachments |
| WHAT
IT LOOKS LIKE |
These files end with the ".EFX"
extension. |
| WHY
IT'S GOOD |
eFax format provides very high
resolutions at a very small file size. This is an especially
good format for sending word processing and scanned documents. |
| HOW
TO VIEW » |
This viewer is free for Windows and
Macintosh!
Download the free viewing application by:
- Click here
(new window) for eFax's website,
- Click the "Download" link,
- Choose the "Messenger" for either Windows or
Macintosh,*
- Install the application according to their directions.
*Note: you can also download the
"Messenger Plus" if you would like to create your own
eFax documents, but it's not required.
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Zip Attachments |
| WHAT
IT LOOKS LIKE |
These files end with the
".ZIP" extension. |
| WHY
IT'S GOOD |
The Zip format provides high
compression and bundling of multiple files. This is a very good
format for archiving, sending graphics or photographs, and for
bundling multiple documents into one file for transmission. |
| HOW
TO VIEW (Windows) » |
This viewer is free for Windows
users!
Download the free viewing application by:
- Click here
(new window) for WinZip's website,
- Choose "Download Evaluation Version,"
- Install the application according to their directions.
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| HOW
TO VIEW (Macintosh) |
This viewer is free for Macintosh
users!**
Download the free viewing application by:
- Click here
(new window) for Stuffit's website,
- Choose "StuffIt Expander™ for Macintosh,"
- Install the application according to their directions.
**Note: Windows users can also download the
free Stuffit Expander, but WinZip is probably better because it
allows you to create your own Zip files for free. |
Have questions or problems? Send us a note at help@trekken.tv
and we'll get you set up.
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