Every time you receive the stream, there is a brief delay after you connect, during which your system "buffers" the digital stream from our server before it begins playing.

If the delay is longer than a few seconds, verify the following system requirements are met:

1. The latest version of Windows Media Player is installed on your computer.
2. You have a broadband connection to the Internet.
3. JavaScript is enabled on your browser.

If you have Windows Media Player and a broadband connection, it may be that the number of people using the Internet has slowed down the transfer of information from servers to computers. This is referred to as "network congestion," and often occurs in the early evening and at other peak hours. You may experience a faster connection at an off-peak time.

I am hearing sound but not seeing the picture (or seeing just the animated Windows Media icon). What's wrong?

Usually this happens because you do not have a fast enough connection to the Internet. If you connect to the Internet through a dial-up modem, you will not be able to view the video; a broadband connection is required (see the next question).

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A broadband connection means that you have a DSL connection, a cable modem, or a LAN connection to a T1 line (or greater). You can get these connections by contacting your ISP ("Internet Service Provider"), your local telephone company, or your local cable provider.

Be sure to specify that you want a "broadband" connection, rather than a "dial-up" connection. "Dial-up" connections are slower, and do not allow the Annenberg Channel to be streamed to your computer.

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Ports 80 and 1755 (TCP) outbound — and, if you're using Windows Media Player 10, port 554 outbound as well — need to be open in order to view VoD.

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Frequently when a video stops in the middle, it is merely waiting for more information to come over the broadband connection; once it does, the video will start again on its own.

If the stream does not restart in a reasonable amount of time, try stopping and restarting the video. This causes the stream to “rebuffer” and may reset the connection.

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1. Find out if you can access the program in an alternate way:
2. Your school or organization may be able to access the Annenberg Channel Satellite broadcast.
3. A local cable or PBS station may broadcast all or some Annenberg Media programs.
4. Tapes/DVDs may be available for loan from a local library.

Call us at 1-800-LEARNER to determine if any of these options is available to you. If not, then tapes/DVDs are available for purchase online.

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The Windows Media Player format was chosen for a variety of reasons. Primary among them is that it is a widely accessible format. The viewer is free, and it works on both PC and Mac platforms.

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Visit the Microsoft Web site. You'll be shown a list of several versions of Windows Media Player—including versions for Mac computers—and be asked to select one. Simply click on the version that matches your computer system, and the download begins automatically. The viewer is free.

We’re sorry, but we cannot offer technical support for Windows Media Player. Please seek help, as needed, from Microsoft's site.

Note: If you're using a Mac, install the latest version of your browser before installing Microsoft Windows Media Player, to make sure your browser recognizes your media player.

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Yes, if you’re using a Windows PC: simply right click with your mouse on the video screen, and select "zoom" to enlarge the picture to full screen mode.

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Yes, if you are watching the video on demand (not the Channel broadband simulcast—see question 5 above). You can shuttle the position marker in Windows Media Player to the approximate position that you want to view, and press the play button. The position and nature of this position marker may vary depending on your version of Windows Media Player. Please contact Microsoft with any further questions.

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You may have problems viewing media when your Windows Media Player streaming speed doesn't match the speed of your connection to the Internet. You can remedy that by following the directions at Microsoft's site here.

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The simulcast of the Channel is a streaming version of the Annenberg Channel’s satellite service. Whatever is being shown on the Channel is shown on the simulcast at the same time. You can view the schedule online.

With video on demand (VoD), you can watch any of our videos at any time. You can also skip around within a video when watching a VoD; you cannot do so with the simulcast. To access video on demand, search or browse for a series that is of interest to you, and look for the VoD icon——next to the individual program titles. Click on the VoD icon, and you will be prompted to sign up or to login. If you haven't viewed videos on Learner.org before, you can sign up for free by clicking the "Sign Up Here!" link on the page with the login prompt.

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In order to improve our service, login is required so that we can gather statistical data about VoD viewing. We do not share personal data with any other company, nor will we contact you without your explicit permission. Our privacy policy explains our practices in detail.

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Some of our programs have rights restrictions and will never be available in a VoD format; others, our brand new programming, may not yet be available. If you are looking for a new program, please check back periodically.

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You can view programs online with closed captioning via our live Channel stream.

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No, the Annenberg Channel broadband stream on the Internet may not be recorded, downloaded, or stored (i.e., you may not keep the streamed image in a format that allows you to play it back again and again). If you or your institution needs to do this, please record the programs from our satellite signal of the Channel, or buy the programs on videocassette/DVD.

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Yes, we allow this option to organizations. The viewer accesses our server for the streaming video, so no bandwidth is used from your site, except to host the HTML page. If you are interested in this option for your organization’s site, please fill out a license and check off “Rebroadcast” under “Use,” “Broadband Internet Stream” under “Receive via,” and “Broadband Viewer” under “Rebroadcast via.” Follow the instructions to mail the license, and we will contact you with the HTML and code to install the viewer.

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Yes, you may play VoDs within the classroom via a regular computer screen or projection screen.

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There is no charge to view videos on Learner.org.

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You can delete your account, update your email/postal address or change/retrieve your password by entering your old username (email address) and old password here: http://www.learner.org/vod/account_manage.html.

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