Test Microsoft Media Player

You can test your Microsoft Media Player to assure that everything works correctly ahead of time.

The Media Player on the right should start playing a test video after several seconds. You should notice the player status (blue text at botton left corner of black window) indicating that it is:
"Connecting to Media..."
"Opening the Media..."
"Buffering" the video,
And finally, the video is "Playing".

If the video does not start playing after the buffering is complete, view the diagnostic information below. (Example errors: The player may return to "Ready" status after clicking the Play button, or a pop-up window may appear asking for you to "Enter Network Password".)

  

Video Diagnostics


STEP ONE :  System Updates - Confirm that the Operating System, internet browser, and video players have been updated.
The most common reason for the video to not play is that the computer has outdated software.  Our multimedia presentations use cutting-edge video streaming technology; therefore, it is required that your computer have the most current updates installed.  (MAC OS users click here) [[mediaplayer9, netscape, firefox]]

NOTE: Click Here [or hit CTRL+D] to Bookmark this page now so you can easily resume testing once your updates are completely installed.

The top three updates (Windows OS, Internet Explorer, and Windows Media Player) are necessary for proper video playback.  The other software updates are recommended (though not required), as they will be used elsewhere on the site.  Return to this page to try the video again after each software installation or each system Reboot.

Windows Operating System http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com 
Internet Explorer  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp 
Media Player Version 10 http://windowsmedia.com/download
  Other recommended Updates:
RealPlayer http://www.real.com/realplayer.html  (Select " Get RealPlayer - Free " at bottom right)
Adobe (Macromedia) Flash  http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/
Shockwave http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=Shockwave
Adobe Acrobat Reader http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Refresh the page (or Press F5 ) to try the video again

STEP TWO :  Disable Conflicting Software - ALL conflicting Software must be disabled before testing videos. 

Disable ALL Firewall software (examples include Windows Firewall [included in XP Service Pack 2], F-Secure, BlackICE, McAfee, Kaspersky Anti-Hacker, Symantec Norton, Zonealarm Pro, Agnitum Outpost Pro, Sygate Pro.)

Refresh the page (or Press F5 ) to try the video again

   

Disable ALL Spyware software (examples include Ad-aware SE, CounterSpy, MS AntiSpyware, SpyBot Search & Destroy, Spy Cleaner, Spy Sweeper, Spyware Doctor, Steganos, & Trend Micro)

Refresh the page (or Press F5 ) to try the video again


STEP THREE :  Test 'off-site' videos - Confirm videos work in other formats and from other websites. 

Register for "Communications the IBI way" course (#307) in the Course Catalog . It requires Real Player to play. Please start the course lesson to see if the media plays. 

Test the Windows Media Player on outside sites.  Videos can be found on http://video.msn.com/ 


STEP FOUR :  Software Settings - Confirm videos player settings are correct for streaming video playback. 

Enable all Media Player 10 Streaming protocols:
Open Media Player 10,
Click Tools, Options, Network,
Select all four protocols: Multicast, UDP, TCP, and HTTP
Confirm that each protocol is set to Autodetect.
Press Apply then OK to save the settings changes.

Refresh the page (or Press F5 ) to try the video again


STEP FIVE :  Hardware Conflicts - Confirm no hardware is blocking the videos from working. 
Hardware conflicts have been ruled out as the possible conflict

Connect to the Internet by bypassing network router, directly to the DSL/Cable modem. Can you view the videos when the router is not connected? (Note: This step is Essential for determining true source of the problem)
Confirm your Internet Service Provider (ISP) does Not have a firewall.
Confirm your broadband modem, provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), does Not have a built-in firewall. 


If the videos still haven't worked at this point (and they Did work on other sites), then contact customer support at info@littlechapel.com, or call (800) 843-2410.

 


STEP SIX :  Enabling Port Exceptions - After discovering which software or hardware was blocking the streaming video port, and exception must be made to allow the ... 

With all hardware and softwares disabled or bypassed, the video should play properly. If, and only if, the video does play, then we can add in port exceptions to the software or hardware settings that are blocking full access. Then the software and/or hardware can be reenbled, thereby not leaving the computer completely vulnerable to Internet threats. The exceptions are: 554 (RTSP) and 1755 (MMS) on both protocols: TCP and UDP. 

Pinnacle Firewall Settings:

Port  

Protocol

Description

80

TCP

HTTP

554

TCP/UDP

RTSP

1755

TCP/UDP

MMS

Definitions:Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)Microsoft Media Server protocol (MMS)
 

Additional instructions on configuring your individual Firewall may be found at PortForward.com
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