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Educational Video - Technical Help
We utilize multimedia software to increase the quality
and variety of information available to Florida's consumers
on the Public Service Commission Web site. Follow the links
described below to download the software you need to take
full advantage of these audio and video features:
Our audio broadcasts of both live and taped PSC events use
RealAudio software by Real Networks. RealAudio is different
from other Internet audio software applications in that it
can transmit audio directly to your computer; this way, you
won't have to download and play an entire file. This feature
allows you to listen to lengthy meetings without exhausting
your computer's memory.
In order to use RealAudio, you must have the RealAudio
helper application installed on your computer, and your
Internet browser must be made "aware" of the application.
Visit the Real
Player Web site, where you can
download a free copy of the RealPlayer helper application. The
Real Networks Web site also contains instructions on how to
make your Web browser aware of the helper application.
When using RealAudio, playback starts almost immediately,
even over modems. (Peak user times may be slower when using a
modem, however.)
The videos on the PSC Web site require the latest verion
of Real's free (version 10.5 or greater)
RealPlayer ONE software,
which also can be downloaded for free on the Real Web site.
The problem is likely how many colors your computer has been
set to use. Video files are best viewed using 32-bit, high-color
graphics. Viewing videos on computers using 256 colors will be
fuzzy no matter how well they are produced. If you bought your
computer in the last two years, it should support 32-bit, high-color
mode, although many manufacturers set displays to 256 colors anyhow.
In Windows, access your Help menu and request instructions for
"display, colors, changing the number of." For other operating
systems, consult your manual or contact the manufacturer.
Please keep in mind that video viewed with RealPlayer is not
of the same quality as the video you are using to seeing on
television. This is because of bandwidth constraints that limit
the quality of video images transmitted over the Internet.
We encourage you to update your Web browser and add various free
software applications known as "plugins" to support these features.
We have chosen plugins that work on both Windows and Macintosh
operating systems. Each plugin includes detailed, easy installation
instructions.
If no event is currently being broadcast, you will receive an
error message from the RealPlayer helper application stating that
the requested file was not found. This does not mean that anything
is wrong; it simply means there is no event currently being broadcast.
If you are waiting for an event to begin, try again a few minutes
later.
If you have installed the RealPlayer helper application and for
some reason cannot get your Web browser to be aware of it, you can
use the application directly. Simply launch the application and select
"Open Location" from the File menu. When prompted, enter the address
http://www.floridapsc.com/agendas/audiovideo/event.ram and hit the
Enter key. This will always play the event currently being broadcast,
if any.
If you are unable to access the video broadcast due to an RealPlayer
error, restart your computer and install the latest verison of Real One
and try again. If your are unable to upgrade, restart your computer and
try accessing the audio link only.
If an event is scheduled for broadcast and you continue to have
problems accessing it via the PSC home page, please send an e-mail to
webmaster@psc.state.fl.us or call 1-800-342-3552 during regular business
hours.
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