FAQs - technical questions
How can I view the Teacher-to-Teacher videos?
There are two ways to watch: television or computer. The Teacher-to-Teacher videos can be seen on the Florida Education Channel which broadcasts on DISH Network's 61.5 satellite, channel 9418. To find out how to get the Florida Education Channel in your home or school, click here.
To watch the Teacher-to-Teacher videos on-line, you must have high speed internet access (broadband) such as DSL, cable modem, a T-1 or T-3 line- not a 56K modem- and the Windows Media Player on your computer. To download the latest version of Windows Media Player, click here.
Are the Teacher-to-Teacher videos compatible with MacIntosh?
Yes, to download a free version of the latest Windows Media Player for Macintosh computers go to Microsoft website or use the "live" link to use the Quicktime (built into all Macs) version instead.
What if I don't have a fast (broadband) connection?
Call your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or telephone company to see about broadband service in your area. There is also an option on the website to download the videos to your hard drive and watch them later. This method also gives one the option of making a CD for personal use. If neither of these options is available, VHS tapes or DVD's are available for $15 each + shipping. To make an order, please email Mary Wolfe or call toll-free (877) 873-7232 ext. 2245.
How fast should my computer be?
We have successfully tested PC's running a PII - 450 MHz with 128 MB of RAM and Windows 98. A Macintosh G3 running at 400 MHz, 128 MB of RAM and OS 9.1 also works well. Any PC running Windows XP or Mac running OS X should work fine.
What is the "Live TV" button, and how is that different?
"Live TV" is a web streaming version of what is currently playing on the satellite channel. You have no ability to stop or move around the content unless it is first captured with the right hardware. When you pick a video or course from the website and watch it, you are using Video on Demand (VoD). A video stream is started and sent to just your computer.
The video takes a long time to start. What's wrong?
Using Video on Demand starts a stream just for you. It takes time for your computer to begin capturing and store some (buffer) the video- typically 10 to 20 seconds- so it will run more smoothly once it starts. The faster your computer and the connection, the shorter the wait and the smoother the video will run.
I can hear but don't see anything but a Windows Media icon.
This is typical of a connection that's not quite fast enough. Most likely there is "network congestion"- too much traffic on the network. Try again at a different time period.
The video runs fine for a while and then stops. Why?
It's usually a network congestion. There's a "bottleneck" somewhere between you and our server. It should pick up and continue after a few seconds of buffering. If not, try starting over again, or try the "download" option to save the video to your hard drive. Please note these video files are large- about 700 MB- and will barely fit on a CD, so you will use up hard drive space in a hurry on an older computer.
Can I record the video to use again? What if I saved it to my hard drive? Can I burn a CD?
Yes. The U.S. Department of Education (USED) is providing this avenue in support of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and wants to make it easy for anyone that wants this training to have access. It is our hope that schools will create a library of tapes and CD's for their staff to use.
