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What to do if the audio doesn't work properly
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 If
you can't get any audio at all, check the following:
1. Does your system meet the minimum requirements for
audio streaming? Check
here. Some older computers simply don't have the
horsepower to receive audio streams, and need to be
replaced with newer systems. Most Web TV systems
are not capable of receiving audio streams.
2.
Do you have a Windows Media Player, or Real Audio
Player properly installed?
If not, go to either
Microsoft or
Real Audio's Web Site, download the player, then
follow the installation instructions provided. The
free version of Real Audio's player, Real Player 8
Basic is all you need; you are not required to buy
their upgraded version. If you need help with installation
of Microsoft Windows Media Player, go to
Microsoft's installation help page. For help with
installation of Real Audio's Real Player 8 Basic,
go to Real
Audio's help Page.
3.
If you already have a player installed, is it the
latest version?
Check here. Windows users can identify the version
of the player they are currently using by "right
clicking" their mouse when it is over the player,
and looking at the properties box. Write down the
exact version number in the box, and compare it to
our supported version.
4.
If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, do you
have the security setting at "Medium" or
lower? Our audio streams do not work on systems
set to high security. If you need to change your security
settings, restart your computer completely before
trying again.
5.
If you are listening in your office, is there a firewall,
proxy server, or other security system in place that
blocks audio streams? You and your network administrator
may want to read about firewalls, proxy servers, and
how to receive audio streams through them. Go to
Microsoft's general help page, or Real
Audio's help Page, and look for the firewall and
proxy server information.
6.
Generally speaking, remember that any changes you
make may not take effect until you restart your computer.
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 If
the audio starts and stops, is muffled or at the wrong
speed, check the following:
1. The name of the problem when audio starts and stops
unexpectedly or in mid show is "buffering."
Buffering can occur for many different reasons, some
of which can be fixed, and some of which can't. If your
player is starting and stopping, or losing the signal
altogether, your first step is to adjust a couple of
settings on your player, as follows:
Microsoft Windows Media Player: Check to be sure
your modem is set to operate at the highest possible
speed. Then adjust the player's buffer time. Pull down
the "View" menu, select "Options",
and select the "Advanced" tab. Highlight the
item labeled "Windows Media" and click "Change"
and set the Windows Media buffer to 30 seconds. Then
exit and restart the player. Please note that this sequence
may be slightly different, depending on what version
of Windows Media Player you have installed, but you
are looking for the option to change the buffer length.
Real Player 8 Basic: Start RealPlayer 8. Click
View and choose Preferences. Click the Performance tab.
Move the Playback performance slider to the right. Click
OK to save your changes. Please note that the higher
you set the performance, the more system resources will
be used by Real Player. Finding a setting that balances
performance against system resource use is a matter
of trial and error. Finally, click View and choose Preferences.
Click the Connection tab. There is a button at the bottom
that says "Network Time Out Settings." Click
it, and reset the connection time out to 30 seconds.
2.
Still not working? You have done all you can, and
the problem may be caused by network congestion. The
Internet is not a direct pipeline from our computers
to yours. The audio stream you are attempting to receive
passes through many server computers on the way. If
there is too much traffic at any of these computers,
or any of them aren't working, traffic jams are created
and the signal may be difficult or impossible to receive
for a time. Our engineers receive reports about network
congestion 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and work
constantly to redirect our streams in ways that make
them easier for you to hear. If you are having a hard
time hearing the files, we're truly sorry. Be assured
we are working behind the scenes to fix the problem
you are having as quickly as possible.
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