This page lists the requirements for experiencing the media-rich streaming content you'll find in Visual Data Corporation web sites. Most web sites have essentially the same requirements.

Internet Browser

Our minimum requirement is Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 or Netscape Netscape 4.07, but more recent versions of these browsers will enhance your experience on our web sites.

Browser capabilities increase with each release. The features that Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer offer sometimes disagree. As of this writing we recommend, but do not require, Microsoft Internet Explorer for the best overall browser experience.

Click here to obtain the latest free versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

Screen resolution

If your browser window is maximized and you can read this page without scrolling horizontally, your resolution is set appropriately. If not, you can adjust the screen resolution setting on your computer.

To adjust your screen resolution

Windows

1. Click on the Start button
2. Select Settings/Control Panel
3. Double-Click on Display
4. Select the "Settings" tab at the top of the pop-up screen.
5. Adjust "Screen Area" to 800x600 or higher.

Mac OS

1. Click on the Apple icon on the top left corner
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select Monitors
4. Set your resolution to 800x600 or higher

Audio Capability

In order to hear the audio components of our web site, your PC must be equipped with a 16-bit or better sound card and speakers. (Macintosh computers have built-in sound capability).

To check your audio settings

Windows

1. Click on the Start button
2. Select Settings/Control Panel
3. Double-Click on "Sound and Multimedia"
4. Select the "Audio" tab at the top of the pop-up screen.
5. Click on "Volume" to check your settings.

Mac OS

1. Click on the Apple icon on the top left corner
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select "Sound" to check your settings.

Internet Connection

A fast connection to the Internet -- such as T1, DSL, or cable modem -- will greatly enhance your experience in viewing our rich media content. If your connection is slower - a 28 or 56k modem, for example - you will experience lower quality sound and video, this is due to the current limitations of the streaming media technology.

Streaming Media

In order to see and hear our web sites' audio/video content, you will need one or more free software products that enable you to access streaming media. You probably already have these products on your computer. If you do not, then accessing any content requiring them will inform you that you do not have the software and offer to let you download it at that time.

Click here to obtain the latest free versions of RealPlayer (the free player is "RealPlayer Basic") and Windows MediaPlayer.

If you need help with installation of Microsoft Windows Media Player, go to Microsoft's installation help page.

For help with installation of RealPlayer, go to Real's help Page.

These players expect that you have the following minimum hardware/operating system configuration

Windows

120MHz Intel Pentium processor
16MB of RAM
28.8Kpbs modem
16-bit sound card and speakers
65,000-color video display card (video)
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, or NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4

Mac OS

Mac OS 8.1 or later
32 MB RAM
Virtual Memory turned on, set to 64MB
604 PowerPC (200 MHz or better)
28.8Kpbs modem Internet connection

If the presentation starts and stops, is muffled or at the wrong speed, check the following

The name of the problem when media streaming 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 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.

RealPlayer

Start RealPlayer. 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 RealPlayer. 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.

Firewalls and Proxy Server Problems

If you are listening in your office, is there a firewall, proxy server, or other security system in place that blocks audio/video streams? You and your network administrator may want to read about firewalls, proxy servers, and how to receive streams through them. Go to Microsoft's general help page, or Real's help Page, and look for the firewall and proxy server information.

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 presentation 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 accessing a presentation, we're truly sorry. Be assured we are working behind the scenes to fix the problem you are having as quickly as possible.

If you have any other questions concerning our web sites, please click here to contact technical support.