You can get the Microsoft Windows Media Player at the location, shown below.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp

You can get the RealNetworks RealMedia Player at the location, shown below.
http://forms.real.com/real/player/blackjack.html

You can get the Macromedia Flash Player at the location, shown below.
http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash

If you are experiencing slow performance, or even that the video appears to be flashing, you can try to increase the Video Acceleration performance. Follow these directions, using your Media Player.

Steps for Windows Media version 9:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Performance tab, locate Video acceleration.
3. Adjust the Acceleration slider bar toward Full.
4. Click the Apply button.
5. Click the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 7:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Performance tab, locate Video Performance.
3. Adjust the Hardware Acceleration slider bar toward Full.
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 6.4:
1. On the View menu, select Options.
2. On the Player tab, locate Hardware Acceleration.
3. Adjust the Hardware Acceleration slider bar toward Full.
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 8:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Performance tab and locate Playback Performance.
3. The recommended usage is Best quality which can be adjusted by moving the slider bar to the far right.
4. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealONE Player:
1. On the Tools menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Hardware category and locate Playback Performance.
3. The recommended usage is Best quality which can be adjusted by moving the slider bar to the far right.
4. Next, locate Video Card Compatibility and select Best Performance which can be adjusted by moving the slider bar to the far right.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 7:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Performance tab and locate Playback Performance.
3. The recommended usage is Best quality which can be adjusted by moving the slider bar to the far right.
4. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 6:
1. On the Options menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Performance tab and locate Playback Performance.
3. The recommended usage is Best quality which can be adjusted by moving the slider bar to the far right.
4. Click on the OK button.

Sometimes your network may have difficulties consistently connecting to the streaming media. This could be caused by numerous circumstances, including network load and even general internet congestion. You can force your Media Player to connect at a particular speed, if it is available, to help create more consistent connections. Follow these directions, using your Media Player.

Steps for Windows Media version 9:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Performance tab, locate Connection Speed.
3. Select My Connection Speed Is and the desired speed from the drop-down menu choices.
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 7:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Performance tab, locate Connection Speed.
3. Select My Connection Speed is and the desired speed from the drop-down menu choices.
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 6.4:
Windows Media Player version 6.4 auto-detects its connection speed and will not allow the Media Player to be forced to a particular speed.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 8:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Connection tab and locate Bandwidth.
3. From the drop down menus, select an identical desired speed for Normal and Maximum bandwidth.
4. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealONE Player:
1. On the Tools menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the main Connection category and locate Bandwidth.
3. From the drop down menus, select an identical desired speed for Normal and Maximum.
4. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 7:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Connection tab and locate Bandwidth.
3. From the drop down menus, select an identical desired speed for Normal and Maximum bandwidth.
4. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 6:
1. On the Options menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Connection tab and locate Bandwidth.
3. From the drop down menus, select an identical desired speed for Normal and Maximum bandwidth.
4. Click on the OK button.

Sometimes the Media Player may have difficulties connecting to the Streaming Media using a specific Internet Protocol. You can eliminate the Internet Protocols that the Media Player will try to use, limitting the active Internet Protocol to just one. Follow these directions, using your Media Player.

How do I change my Network settings to only the Multicast Protocol?

Steps for Windows Media version 9:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Network tab, locate Streaming protocols.
3. Click the Multicast box only. (The other boxes should NOT be checked.)
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 7:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Network tab, locate Protocols.
3. Click the Multicast box only. (The other boxes should NOT be checked.)
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 6.4:
1. On the View menu, select Options.
2. On the Advanced tab, highlight Streaming Media (Windows Media).
3. Select Change and locate Protocols.
4. Click the Multicast box only. (The other boxes should NOT be checked.)
5. Click on the Apply button.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 8:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Transport tab and locate the Network Transport section.
3. Click the selection Use Specified Transports.
4. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
5. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use Multicast for Live Content box only. The other boxes (Use UDP and Use TCP) should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
8. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use Multicast for Live Content box only. The other boxes (Use UDP and Use TCP) should NOT be checked.
9. Click on the OK button.
10. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealONE Player:
1. On the Tools menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Connection category and display topics underneath (double-click on the word Connection to display topics).
3. Select Network Transports and locate the Network Transport section.
4. Click the box Manually Configure Connection Settings.
5. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the Attempt to use Multicast for Live Content box only. The other boxes should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the Attempt to use Multicast for Live Content box only. (The other boxes should NOT be checked.)
8. Click on the OK button.
9. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 7:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Transport tab and locate the Network Transport section.
3. Click the selection Use Specified Transports.
4. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
5. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use Multicast for Live Content box only. The other boxes (Use UDP and Use TCP) should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
8. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use Multicast for Live Content box only. The other boxes (Use UDP and Use TCP) should NOT be checked.
9. Click on the OK button.
10. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 6:
1. On the Options menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Transport tab and locate the Network Transport section.
3. Click the selection Use Specified Transports.
4. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
5. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use Multicast for Live Content box only. The other boxes (Use UDP and Use TCP) should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
8. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use Multicast for Live Content box only. The other boxes (Use UDP and Use TCP) should NOT be checked.
9. Click on the OK button.
10. Click on the OK button.

How do I change my Network settings to only the UDP Protocol?

Steps for Windows Media version 9:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Network tab, locate Streaming protocols.
3. Click the UDP box only. (The other boxes should NOT be checked.)
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 7:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Network tab, locate Protocols.
3. Click the UDP box only. (The other boxes should NOT be checked.)
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 6.4:
1. On the View menu, select Options.
2. On the Advanced tab, highlight Streaming Media (Windows Media).
3. Select Change and locate Protocols.
4. Click the UDP box only. (The other boxes should NOT be checked.)
5. Click on the Apply button.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Click on the OK button.
Steps for RealMedia Player version 8:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Transport tab and locate the Network Transport section.
3. Click the selection Use Specified Transports.
4. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
5. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use UDP for static Content box only. The other boxes (Use Multicast and Use TCP) should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
8. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use UDP for static Content box only. The other boxes (Use Multicast and Use TCP) should NOT be checked.
9. Click on the OK button.
10. Click on the OK button.
Steps for RealONE Player:
1. On the Tools menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Connection category and display topics underneath (double-click on the word Connection to display topics).
3. Select Network Transports and locate the Network Transport section.
4. Click the box Manually Configure Connection Settings.
5. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the Attempt to use UDP for All Content box only. The other boxes should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the Attempt to use UDPfor All Content box only. The other boxes should NOT be checked.
8. Click on the OK button.
9. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 7:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Transport tab and locate the Network Transport section.
3. Click the selection Use Specified Transports.
4. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
5. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use UDP for static Content box only. The other boxes (Use Multicast and Use TCP) should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
8. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use UDP for static Content box only. The other boxes (Use Multicast and Use TCP) should NOT be checked.
9. Click on the OK button.
10. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 6:
1. On the Options menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Transport tab and locate the Network Transport section.
3. Click the selection Use Specified Transports.
4. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
5. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use UDP for static Content box only. The other boxes (Use Multicast and Use TCP) should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
8. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use UDP for static Content box only. The other boxes (Use Multicast and Use TCP) should NOT be checked.
9. Click on the OK button.
10. Click on the OK button.

How do I change my Network settings to only the TCP Protocol?

Steps for Windows Media version 9:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Network tab, locate Streaming protocols.
3. Click the TCP box only. (The other boxes should NOT be checked.)
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 7:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Network tab, locate Protocols.
3. Click the TCP box only. (The other boxes should NOT be checked.)
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 6.4:
1. On the View menu, select Options.
2. On the Advanced tab, highlight Streaming Media (Windows Media).
3. Select Change and locate Protocols.
4. Click the TCP box only. (The other boxes should NOT be checked.)
5. Click on the Apply button.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 8:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Transport tab and locate the Network Transport section.
3. Click the selection Use Specified Transports.
4. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
5. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use TCP for All Content box only. The other boxes (Use Multicast and Use UDP) should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
8. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use TCP for All Content box only. The other boxes (Use Multicast and Use UDP) should NOT be checked.
9. Click on the OK button.
10. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealONE Player:
1. On the Tools menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Connection category and display topics underneath (double-click on the word Connection to display topics).
3. Select Network Transports and locate the Network Transport section.
4. Click the box Manually Configure Connection Settings.
5. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the Attempt to use TCP for All Content box only. The other boxes should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the Attempt to use TCP for All Content box only. The other boxes should NOT be checked.
8. Click on the OK button.
9. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 7:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Transport tab and locate the Network Transport section.
3. Click the selection Use Specified Transports.
4. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
5. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use TCP for All Content box only. The other boxes (Use Multicast and Use UDP) should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
8. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use TCP for All Content box only. The other boxes (Use Multicast and Use UDP) should NOT be checked.
9. Click on the OK button.
10. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 6:
1. On the Options menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Transport tab and locate the Network Transport section.
3. Click the selection Use Specified Transports.
4. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
5. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use TCP for All Content box only. The other boxes (Use Multicast and Use UDP) should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the main heading Use TCP to Connect to Server option.
8. Underneath, choose the selection Attempt to use TCP for All Content box only. The other boxes (Use Multicast and Use UDP) should NOT be checked.
9. Click on the OK button.
10. Click on the OK button.

How do I change my Network settings to only the HTTP Protocol?

Steps for Windows Media version 9:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Network tab, locate Streaming protocols.
3. Click the HTTP box only. (The other boxes should NOT be checked.)
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 7:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Network tab, locate Protocols.
3. Click the HTTP box only. The other boxes should NOT be checked.
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 6.4:
1. On the View menu, select Options.
2. On the Advanced tab, highlight Streaming Media (Windows Media).
3. Select Change and locate Protocols.
4. Click the HTTP box only. (The other boxes should NOT be checked.)
5. Click on the Apply button.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 8:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Transport tab and locate the Network Transport section.
3. Click the selection Use Specified Transports.
4. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the category Use HTTP Only.
5. Click on the OK button.
6. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the category Use HTTP Only.
7. Click on the OK button.
8. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealONE Player:
1. On the Tools menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Connection category and display topics underneath (double-click on the word Connection to display topics).
3. Select Network Transports and locate the Network Transport section.
4. Click the box Manually Configure Connection Settings.
5. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the Attempt to use HTTP for All Content box only. The other boxes should NOT be checked.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the Attempt to use HTTP for All Content box only. The other boxes should NOT be checked.
8. Click on the OK button.
9. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 7:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Transport tab and locate the Network Transport section.
3. Click the selection Use Specified Transports.
4. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the category Use HTTP Only.
5. Click on the OK button.
6. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the category Use HTTP Only.
7. Click on the OK button.
8. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 6:
1. On the Options menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Transport tab and locate the Network Transport section.
3. Click the selection Use Specified Transports.
4. Select the RTSP Settings button and click the category Use HTTP Only.
5. Click on the OK button.
6. Next, select the PNA Settings button and click the category Use HTTP Only.
7. Click on the OK button.
8. Click on the OK button.

Often times a network proxy can be responsible for blocking your ability to access Streaming Media over the Internet. You could have a Proxy Server, setup on your end, that is filtering or blocking Streams from passing through it. You can change your Proxy settings to not use a Proxy Server by following the steps, shown below

Steps for Windows Media version 9:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Network tab, locate Streaming Proxy Settings.
3. Select each protocol individually, select Configure.
4. Under Proxy settings, select Do Not Use a Proxy server, Click on the OK button.
5. Click on the Apply button.
6. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 7:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Network tab, locate Proxy Settings.
3. Select each protocol individually, select Configure.
4. Under Proxy Settings, select Do Not Use a Proxy server,Click on the OK button.
5. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 6.4:
1. On the View menu, select Options.
2. On the Advanced tab, highlight Streaming Media (Windows Media).
3. Select Change and locate Protocols.
4. Under HTTP Proxy Settings, select Do Not Use a Proxy server, Click on the OK button.
5. Click on the Apply button.
6. Click on the OK button.
7. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 8:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Proxy tab and locate Proxy Options.
3. Under PNA and RTSP options, Use Proxy should remain unchecked for each.
4. Under HTTP Options, select No HTTP Proxy.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealONE Player:
1. On the Tools menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Connection category and display topics underneath (double-click on the word Connection to display topics).
3. Select Proxy.
4. Under Streaming Settings, select Change Settings.
5. Select No Proxy for each of the configurations, select OK.
6. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 7:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Proxy tab and locate Proxy Options.
3. Under PNA and RTSP options, Use Proxy should remain unchecked for each.
4. Under HTTP Options, select No HTTP Proxy.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 6:
1. On the Options menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Proxy tab and locate Proxy Options.
3. Under PNA and RTSP options, Use Proxy should remain unchecked.
4. Under HTTP Options, select No HTTP.
5. Click on the OK Button.

Network Bufferring Settings directly affect Streaming Media performance. You can change your Buffering to use just the default settings of the Media Player by following the Steps shown below.

Steps for Windows Media version 9:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Performance tab, locate Network Buffering.
3. Select Use default buffering.
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 7:
1. On the Tools menu, select Options.
2. On the Performance tab, locate Network Buffering.
3. Select Use default buffering.
4. Click on the Apply button.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for Windows Media version 6.4:
1. On the View menu, select Options.
2. On the Advanced tab, highlight Streaming Media (Windows Media).
3. Select Change and locate Buffering.
4. On the Performance tab, locate Network Buffering.
5. Check Use default buffering.
6. Click on the Apply button.
7. Click on the OK button.
8. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 8:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Connection tab and locate Buffered Play.
3. Select first option, Buffer at least 30 seconds before playing, the Real Media default.
4. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealONE Player:
1. On the Tools menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Connection category and display topics underneath (double-click on the word Connection to display topics).
3. Select Playback Setting and locate Buffered Play.
4. Buffer should be set to 30 seconds, the Real Media default.
5. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 7:
1. On the View menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Connection tab and locate Buffered Play.
3. Select first option, Buffer at least 30 seconds before playing, the Real Media default.
4. Click on the OK button.

Steps for RealMedia Player version 6:
1. On the Options menu, select Preferences.
2. Select the Connection tab and locate Buffered Play.
3. Select first option, Buffer at least 30 seconds before playing, the Real Media default.
4. Click on the OK button.

More Information
Read more about Microsoft Windows Media Player Support here.

Read more about Realnetworks RealMedia Player Support here.

Read more about Macromedia Flash Player Support here.


Look for steps, and information, for *new* versions of Media Players here in the future.