Audio/Video Problems
- Audio or video playback doesn't work (All users)
Audio or video playback doesn't work.
Please follow the steps for installing the Flash, Quicktime and RealPlayer plugins, making sure to uninstall all previous versions of these plugins prior to installing the new ones.
- Video playback is choppy (All users)
Video playback is choppy.
A slow internet connection speed is the most common cause of choppy video playback. Blackboard Vista users with either dial-up or wireless internet connections may encounter audio or video that cuts out, stutters or pauses if their connection is either too slow or saturated.
You can test your internet connection download and upload speeds. The minimum recommended download speed for courses with streaming audio and video content is 384 kbps; if your connection does not meet these standards, please notify your Student Services representative. If your internet connection exceeds the minimum recommended download speed and you are still experiencing problems with choppy video playback, please confirm that your computer meets the minimum recommend computer specifications.
- Firewall blocking streaming audio and/or video (All users)
Firewall blocking streaming audio and/or video.
Accessing Blackboard Vista from Work:
Blackboard Vista users who take courses from their work computers may need to ask their company's technical support personnel to configure the Firewall. They may not be able to do it themselves. Send a request through the appropriate channels to have the following ports enabled:
| Port # |
TCP or UDP |
Application |
| 443 |
TCP |
liveclassroom.bu.edu |
| 1935 |
TCP |
Streaming Video |
| 5038 |
TCP |
liveclassroom.bu.edu |
| 5997 |
TCP |
liveclassroom.bu.edu |
| 5998 |
TCP and UDP |
liveclassroom.bu.edu |
| 5190 |
TCP and UDP |
liveclassroom.bu.edu |
| 5191 |
TCP and UDP |
liveclassroom.bu.edu |
| 33434 |
UDP |
liveclassroom.bu.edu |
| 16384 |
UDP |
liveclassroom.bu.edu |
Accessing Blackboard Vista from Home:
The default settings of the Windows and MAC OSX built-in Firewalls will not interfere with Blackboard Vista. If you have made adjustments to your computer's built-in Firewall, please see our Firewall page for your operating system.
- Watching videos or listening to audio crashes my computer (All users)
Watching videos or listening to audio crashes my computer.
Please use a recommended web browser (Firefox 3.0 for Windows, Firefox 1.0 for Mac OS X 10.2/10.3, and either Firefox 2.0 or Safari 3.0 for both Mac OS X 10.4 and Mac OS X 10.5) and follow the steps for installing the Flash, Quicktime and RealPlayer plugins, making sure to uninstall all previous versions of these plugins prior to installing the new ones..
- Audio plays in iTunes but not in RealPlayer or Quicktime (Mac OSX users)
Audio plays in iTunes but not in RealPlayer or Quicktime.
Realplayer 10 for Mac OS/X may incorrectly change system audio settings when installed; this prevents RealPlayer and certain other applications from playing audio correctly. This problem occurs on G5 iMacs & PowerMacs and Intel-based iMacs, Macbooks, and Mac Pros; Blackboard Vista users may encounter this problem through Vista sites that use RealPlayer. This problem is also characterized by programs such as iTunes being able to play audio files correctly despite the problems with RealPlayer or Quicktime.
To reconfigure your audio settings and playback audio, please follow the instructions below:
- Close RealPlayer.
- Select the Finder from your Dock.
- On the menu in the upper-lefthand corner of the screen, select "Go," and "Applications".
- In the window that opens, double-click "Utilities".
- Double-click "Audio MIDI Setup".
- Change your settings so that they match the following:
- Under "System Settings", Default Input , Default Output, and System Output should be set to "Built-in Audio".
- Under "Properties For", select "Built-in Audio", then set Audio Input: Source to "Line In", Format to "44100.0Hz" and "2ch-16bit". Set Audio Output , Format to "44100.0Hz" and "2ch-16bit".
- Make sure that the Ch. 1 and 2 sliders under "Audio Output" are set to -5.0 db or higher.
- Close "Audio MIDI Setup" and re-open RealPlayer. You should now be able to hear streaming audio.
- Video plays in RealPlayer or Quicktime, but without audio (Mac OSX users)
Video plays in RealPlayer or Quicktime, but without any audio.
Realplayer 10 for Mac OS/X may incorrectly change system audio settings when installed; this prevents RealPlayer and certain other applications from playing audio correctly. This problem occurs on G5 iMacs & PowerMacs and Intel-based iMacs, Macbooks, and Mac Pros; Blackboard Vista users may encounter this problem through Vista sites that use RealPlayer. This problem is also characterized by programs such as iTunes being able to play audio files correctly despite the problems with RealPlayer or Quicktime.
To reconfigure your audio settings and playback audio, please follow the instructions below:
- Close RealPlayer.
- Select the Finder from your Dock.
- On the menu in the upper-lefthand corner of the screen, select "Go," and "Applications".
- In the window that opens, double-click "Utilities".
- Double-click "Audio MIDI Setup".
- Change your settings so that they match the following:
- Under "System Settings", Default Input , Default Output, and System Output should be set to "Built-in Audio".
- Under "Properties For", select "Built-in Audio", then set Audio Input: Source to "Line In", Format to "44100.0Hz" and "2ch-16bit". Set Audio Output , Format to "44100.0Hz" and "2ch-16bit".
- Make sure that the Ch. 1 and 2 sliders under "Audio Output" are set to -5.0 db or higher.
- Close "Audio MIDI Setup" and re-open RealPlayer. You should now be able to hear streaming audio.
|
|
|
