The Center for Information Technology (CIT) makes special NIH events, seminars, and lectures available to viewers on the NIH network and the Internet from the VideoCast web site.

• What is NIH VideoCasting?
• Who do I call if there is a problem with a live VideoCast?
• How do I fix a Flash Player error when I try to watch a VideoCast?
• Where can I download Flash Player software?
• I'm not getting sound for a VideoCast - How do I fix an audio problem?
• I'm working from home and can't watch an NIH-only or HHS-only VideoCast - How can I access it from off site?
• I get a black screen with sound watching a VideoCast -What can I do to fix this problem?
• The event has already started but I don't get a "Click to Watch" link - What can I do to watch the VideoCast?
• Video quality is degraded - Is there anything I can do to improve VideoCast playback?
• Could network conditions cause degraded video?
• How do I know if Flash Player and RealPlayer software are working?
• Does my network firewall block NIH VideoCasts?
• Where can I get copies of the slides used in the VideoCast?
• Is a transcript available for a VideoCast?
• Can I download a VideoCast?
• Why can't I see NIH-only or HHS-only VideoCasts?
• I'm looking for a recent VideoCast - How quickly are new videos added to the archive?
• Does VideoCast have RSS feeds?
• Are Podcasts available for my portable media player?
• How do I show VideoCasts "cinema style" in a conference room with a projector?
• Can I get CME credits watching a VideoCast?
• Do I need to register in advance of an upcoming VideoCast?
• I won't be able to watch a live VideoCast - Will there be an archive I can watch at a later date?
• How do I know if an upcoming VideoCast is open to a World-Wide audience?
• Can I add an Upcoming Event to my calendar?
• Can I add, share or embed a VideoCast past event to my web site, blog or profile?

What is NIH VideoCasting?

The Center for Information Technology (CIT) makes special NIH events, seminars, and lectures available to viewers on the VideoCast web site. VideoCasting is the method of electronically streaming digitally encoded video and audio data from a server to a client. Streaming files are not downloaded, but rather are broadcast in a manner similar to television broadcasts . The videos are processed by a compression program into a streaming format and delivered in a staggered fashion to minimize impact upon the network and maximize the experience of the content for the viewer. When users request a streaming file they will receive an initial burst of data after a short delay (file latency). While content is being viewed, the streaming server machine and software continues to "stream" data in such a manner that the viewer experiences no break in the content.

Who do I call if there is a problem with a live VideoCast?

If you have tested Flash Player software by watching a past event but can't view a live VideoCast, call the NIH IT Service Desk at (301) 496-4357, toll free (866) 319-4357 or use NIH IT Service Desk.

How Do I Fix a Flash Player error when I try to watch a VideoCast?

Un-check "Enable hardware acceleration" - Go to http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about and right-click the Flash Banner or Logo at the top, go to Settings then un-check Enable hardware acceleration.

Figure 1. Un-check Enable Hardware acceleration.

Where can I download Flash Player software?

Download Free Adobe Flash Player

I'm not getting sound for a VideoCast - How do I fix an audio problem?

Check your speaker volume and mixer settings to see if audio levels need adjusting. Check to see if the VideoCasts is on a break and wait for the event to resume.  If you have tested and verified your computer system audio by watching another VideoCast with good audio but do not get sound for a live event, call the NIH IT Service Desk at (301) 496-4357, toll free (866) 319-4357 or contact them at NIH IT Service Desk.

 

Figure 1. Image shows Windows mixer with levels at 50%

I'm working from home and can't watch an NIH-only or HHS-only VideoCast - How can I access it from off site?

Teleworkers will need an NIH VPN account and NIH provided software on the remote computer to watch NIH-only or HHS-only VideoCasts. Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows NIH employees to access the NIH network and Institute computing resources over a third-party Internet Service Provider (ISP). More information is at http://cit.nih.gov/ServiceCatalog/Services.htm?Service=NIHnet+Remote+Access+Service or staff can call the NIH IT Service Desk at (301) 496-4357 for VPN information.

Figure 1. NIH VPN software is the only supported solution for teleworkers to watch NIH-only and HHS-only VideoCasts from a home network

I get a black screen with sound watching a VideoCast -What can I do to fix this problem?

If Flash Player shows black video on certain Mac Book Pros, un-check "Enable hardware acceleration" - Go to http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about and right-click the Flash Banner or Logo at the top, go to Settings then un-check Enable hardware acceleration.

Figure 1. Un-check Enable Hardware acceleration.

The event has started but I don't get a "Click to Watch" link - What can I do to watch the VideoCast?

Live VideoCast events will automatically generate a "Click to Watch" link a few minutes before the actual start time. Please wait until the actual start time and if necessary, refresh your web browser to get the link.

Figure 1. Refresh browser if you do not get "Click to Watch" video link.

Video quality is degraded - Is there anything I can do to improve VideoCast playback?

Video quality can degrade on a wireless connection. To improve performance, switch to a wired LAN connection.  Switch from full screen to normal. Select a specific bit rate such as 512K or 225K depending on your actual network speed.

Could network conditions cause degraded video?

Figure 1. Show Bandwidth tool will help identify unstable network conditions which can lead to video impairments.

If you are experiencing poor video performance, it may be helpful to include a screen shot of the information provided by a built-in bandwidth feature. You may also want to open the computer's Task Manager, Networking tab. Then, take a screen shot, save it as a JPEG in the Paint accessory program, and attach it to your email message. Also, include the IP address of your computer.

How do I know if Flash Player software is working?

Test video, plug-in, browser, java, firewall and bandwidth before watching a live presentation. If there are problems, call the NIH IT Service Desk at (301) 496-4357, toll free (866) 319-4357 or send email to NIH IT Service Desk.

Does my network firewall block NIH VideoCasts?

Flash Player uses RTMP at port 1935. This port must be allowed through your firewall to connect to our events.

Where can I get copies of the slides used in the VideoCast?

CIT can attach supplementary material to special events or lecture series. Side-by-side slides are also an option for many VideoCasts. If slides are not available on the VideoCast page, go to the event web page to see if supplementary material is available.

Figure 1. Image shows side-by-side slides with a live VideoCast

Is a transcript available for a VideoCast?

CIT attaches caption text to VideoCasts for download. If caption downloads are not available for a particular VideoCast, contact the NIH IT Service Desk.

Can I download a VideoCast?

All world accessible video files can be saved to disk. All Podcast video and audio files are available for download. You cannot download NIH-only or HHS-only VideoCasts.

Figure 1. Image shows users can click "Download" button to save video.

Why can't I see NIH-only or HHS-only VideoCasts?

All VideoCasts are world-accessible except for NIH-only and HHS-only events. Individual event coordinators determine the access level. This is how CIT determines which videos are world-accessible or NIH/HHS only. VideoCasts marked NIH/HHS-only can only be seen from computers on NIH/HHS networks or from outside networks with VPN software. The HHS network includes the following agencies: ACF, AoA, AHRQ, ATSDR, CDC, CMS, FDA, HHS, HRSA, IHS, NIH, PSC, and SAMHSA.

I'm looking for a recent VideoCast - How quickly are new videos added to the archive?

New VideoCasts are added as quickly as possible, usually within a few days after the broadcast. All-day conferences take longer. On occasion the archive copies are made from backup tapes, which will delay this process. All VideoCasts are archived for on-demand playback. Video archives are not removed unless requested by the event coordinator.

Does VideoCast have RSS feeds?

There are RSS 2.0 feeds for Upcoming Events, Past Events, individual past event categories and Podcasts. For more information, go the RSS help page.

Figure 1.  RSS feeds publish frequently updated content and Podcasts.

Are Podcasts available for my portable media player?

Video and audio Podcast files are available for download so you can access content whenever you want from your portable media player. We recommend using iTunes to subscribe to the Podcasts, as well as viewing the files and synching them to your media device. The Podcasts can also be downloaded directly from our website and viewed in QuickTime. For more information, go the Podcast FAQ. If there is a lecture series you would like to petition for Podcasting, contact the NIH IT Service Desk and we will forward your request to the event coordinator.

Figure 1.  Take videos to go with Podcasting.

How do I show VideoCasts "cinema style" in a conference room with a projector?

The Flash Player video size is 640x480. This format works best to stream content over the Internet. The best way to show NIH videos in a "cinema-session" would be to lower the computer's screen resolution to its lowest 640x480 or 800x600. To avoid degraded video, do not play in full screen. AV staff can contact the NIH IT Service Desk in advance to get the video link for an upcoming VideoCast so they can test the room 30 minutes prior to the actual start time.

Can I get CME credits watching a VideoCast?

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is the accredited provider for NIH CME activities as of
March 1, 2008. For more information, please visit http://www.hopkinscme.edu/Resources/NIH.aspx and contact CME tech support directly from this page.

Do I need to register in advance of an upcoming VideoCast?

Registration is not required for VideoCasts. On the actual date and start time of the event there will be an orange "Click to Watch" button to access the video.

I won't be able to watch a live VideoCast - Will there be an archive I can watch at a later date?

All VideoCasts are posted in the past events section usually a few days after the event.

How do I know if an upcoming VideoCast is open to a World-Wide audience?

All VideoCasts are world accessible except certain events restricted to staff with (NIH only) or (HHS only) in the title.

Can I add an Upcoming Event to my calendar?

Yes. In the summary page for an Upcoming Event, click on the "iCalendar" button to add the event to your calendar.

Can I add, share or embed a VideoCast past event to my web site, blog or profile?

Yes. In the video player menu at bottom right, select share or embed and send email or copy syntax to your site, blog or profile.

Figure 1.  Image shows menu option to share or embed a VideoCast.