Frequently Asked Questions 

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.

[ Return to VideoCast home page | How do I Create a VideoCast? ]

How do I know what VideoCasts are available?

A complete schedule of current and future events, plus an archive of past events, is available at http://videocast.nih.gov.

What software do I need?

VideoCasts can be viewed using RealPlayer software. NIH staff can download RealPlayer Enterprise for Windows, which has been customized for NIH resources. Real Player Classic Macintosh and RealOne for OS X are also available to NIH staff.

Windows Downloads (NIH Only)
Macintosh Downloads (NIH Only)

Viewers outside the NIH network will want to download and install the latest free version of RealPlayer software from Real Networks. If you need help installing RealPlayer software, call the NIH Help Desk at (301) 496-4357,
toll free (866) 319-4357 or send email to helpdesk@nih.gov.

What hardware do I need?

Streaming video is best viewed with a high-speed network connection and high color or better color setting. At a minimum, your computer will need VGA graphics with at least 256 colors, a sound card with speakers or headphones, and a network connection or high-speed modem. 

On the NIH campus, most LAN-connected computers are capable of displaying a VideoCast presentation. If you have trouble viewing a VideoCast, first ask your desktop support person for assistance, then contact the NIH Help Desk at (301) 496-4357, toll free (866) 319-4357 or send email to helpdesk@nih.gov.

Outside of NIH, any multi-media computer with a 56 Kbps (kilobits per second) modem connecting at 34 Kbps or faster can view current VideoCasts with the latest free version of Real client software.

How do I know if RealPlayer software is working?

Download, install and test RealPlayer software before watching a live presentation. To test the program once it is installed, open a VideoCast from the Past Events section. If there are problems with watching the archived VideoCast, first contact your desktop support person to help you configure Real client software, then contact the NIH Help Desk at (301) 496-4357, toll free (866) 319-4357 or send email to helpdesk@nih.gov.

Who do I call if there is a problem with the broadcast?

If you have tested Real client software by watching a past event but cannot view a live VideoCast, call the NIH Help Desk at (301) 496-4357, toll free (866) 319-4357 or send email to helpdesk@nih.gov.

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

CIT is working on ways to attach supplementary material to the VideoCasts. In the meantime, contact the event coordinator to see if supplementary material is available on a website. If you need help locating the event coordinator, send email to videocast@mail.nih.gov.

Can I Download a VideoCast?

NIH VideoCasts can not be saved to disk. If you provide a title, date and Past Events section to videocast@mail.nih.gov, CIT will forward your request to the event coordinator. If the coordinator is willing to authorize the release of the video file to you, CIT can make the video file available for download via FTP.  There is no charge to download VideoCasts.

What does it mean when a VideoCast is marked "NIH or HHS Only"?

NIH or HHS only VideoCasts can only be seen from computers on the NIH or HHS network. The HHS network includes the following agencies: ACF, AoA, AHRQ, ATSDR, CDC, CMS, FDA, HHS, HRSA, IHS, NIH, PSC, and SAMHSA. All other VideoCasts are world-accessible.

How quickly are new VideoCasts added to the archive?

New VideoCasts are added as quickly as possible, usually within a few days after the broadcast. On occasion the archive copies are made from backup tapes, which will delay this process.

Are the VideoCasts captioned?

VideoCasts are not currently close captioned. Many VideoCasts are open captioned. Note that you cannot turn off open captions.

How does VideoCasting work?

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.

[ Return to VideoCast home page | How do I Create a VideoCast? ]

Center for Information Technology
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
local (301) 496-4357
toll free (866) 319-4357
TDD (301) 496 8294

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