Videostreaming Requirements

What is videostreaming? | How does Women's Health use videostreaming? | What will it cost to view Women's Health's videostreaming files? | Having trouble viewing Women's Health's videostreams? | Still can’t view the videostream?

What is videostreaming?

Videostreaming is a technology that allows people to view and/or listen to video/audio content on a home or work computer through an internet connection.

Videostreaming can consist of

• “live” content, which you view or listen to as it happens.
• “stored” content, which is stored on a webserver and available for you to listen to at a time of your choice.

How does Women’s Health use videostreaming?

Women’s Health uses stored video streaming to provide health information to Queensland women. We are developing a collection of high quality presentations by key speakers. Through the use of key speakers on important women’s health topics, we aim to provide the same experience to women viewing remotely as is available to women who attend our face-to-face events around South East Queensland.

Our presentations will include:

• Full motion audio and video image of the presenter in a small screen
• Powerpoint presentation synchronised to match the speaker’s presentation
• “Submit a question” feature that will be directed to the appropriate Women's Health staff member.

What will it cost to view Women's Health's videostreaming files?

Generally speaking, nothing or very little. But the precise answer depends on a viewer’s internet access plan. Videostreaming files are always designed to be as small as possible - that’s why the moving image is kept so tiny. If a consumer is on an unlimited plan, the videostream file will cost nothing, but if a consumer is on a plan that limits the number of megabytes received from the internet, viewing or listening to videostreaming may mean that the plan limit is exceeded and an extra cost incurred.

To give an example, some Telstra BigPond ADSL and cable plans involve a charge of 15c per MB once the monthly limit is exceeded. A typical 30 min presentation will be approximately 30MB, so if the monthly allowance had already been exceeded, the videostream presentation would cost $4.50 to view. On a Telstra BigPond dial up plan and the unlimited cable plan, it would be free, as these are not volume limited. It would also be free to anyone on a limited volume plan who viewed it within their monthly allowance limits.

If you are concerned about accruing costs, please contact your Internet Service Provider to discuss what it means for your plan.

Having trouble viewing Women's Health's videostreams?

1. Are you accessing our site via an intranet?
   Women's Health's website is an allowed site on Queensland Health's intranet. However, our videsostreams are actually stored at Videolinq (TAFE Queensland) and, therefore, viewing them requires you to go outside our site. Viewers, therefore, will require full internet access to view our videostreams.
   
2. Is your computer an Apple Mac?
   Unfortunately, there is a compatibility problem with Apple Mac computers and our videostreaming files. Those using an Apple MAc computer will not be able to successfully view the videostreams.
   
3. Check that your computer meets the following specifications. All computers purchased in the last 5 years will meet these:

   Hardware	Software
   100+ MHZ (or better) CPU 32 MB (or better) RAM Sound card & external speakers 28.8 k (or better) modem	Windows 95, 98 or 2000, XP, Vist or Windows 7 operating system Browsers Internet Explorer version 4.01 or later or Netscape version 4 or later MSN Windows Media Player version 9 or later (see below)

4. Have you got MSN Windows Media Player installed?

   Modern computers often have WMP preloaded, but if you have an older computer, you may need to install it yourself. Click on the blue text to connect to Media Player download site. Once there, follow directions, 'Save this program to disk' and the player will be installed onto your computer. Allow between 30 to 60 minutes (depending on various factors including; where you live, the strength of your ISP, your local phone line and the time of day) for installation to occur. You will have to re-start your computer once the download has finished.

5. Check that your ISP (internet service provider) can provide you with videostreaming capability.

   Literally ring your ISP and tell them of your intention to participate in programs that require you to be able to receive streaming media. Ask them if their service will give you the necessary bandwidth to participate successfully.

6. Check your internet connection performance and speed at www.iapselfhelp.com .

   Simply connect to the site and follow the prompts. You need a minimum of 14 kps 'real time' connectivity to your computer to access acceptable (continuity of sound and vision) videostreaming services- 19.2 kps is the accepted benchmark.

Still can’t view the videostream?

In the unlikely event that you still can’t watch the videostream, please let us know by completing our videostream evaluation form. This information is important to us in developing our future presentations.

Thank you and happy viewing

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Last Modified: 20 April 2010