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Important Information!
Tate's Real Player service is being replaced by a new service, and we are currently in the process of re-encoding all of our existing material into the new video format. Some Online Events archives are not currently available due to changes in the way Tate delivers video online. We apologise for the temporary loss and are working hard to put them online as soon as possible.
Technical information about webcasting, frequently asked questions and trouble shooting advice.
Real Player DOWNLOAD
You will need to have Real Player installed
on your computer and a sound card, to view and listen to Tate
Online Event Events. See Installation
Instructions below.
If you are having trouble with an existing version of Real Player, uninstall all existing versions of the player and reinstall from the instructions below.
If you are unsure which version of the player you need, see Player Versions.
PC & WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM USERS - FOLLOW THESE STEP BY STEP INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY !
INSTALLING THE PLAYER INCORRECTLY ON THE WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM WILL INSTALL A DEMONSTRATION VERSION OF THE FULL PLAYER, WHICH WILL TIME OUT IN 14 DAYS AND NO LONGER WORK WITHOUT PURCHASE.
See below to install the FREE player.
If you are installing the player on a MAC or LINUX based system follow the instructions as indicated by the installer.
- Uninstall all previous versions
of Real Player. On a PC go to start > settings
> add or remove programs > select Real Player and click
uninstall.
After the installation is complete you may see
a dialogue box indicating that not all components were successfully
uninstalled. If so, we advise that you click the button
to view details. Here you will find a list of all uninstalled
components and their location in the file system. It is highly recommended that you manually find these files and remove them. Ensure that all files in the [Programmes / Real] and the [Programmes / Common Files / Real] folders are removed. In particular make not of the 'Auto Update' component, as this will continue to overide any new player that you install.
- Click here to go to the Free Real Player download page.
- Choose the right download option for your operating system.
- Open the installer. Note there is no need to download the installer applicaiton.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Choose your connection speed.
- We recommend that you deselect the boxes that make other media playback in the Real Player.
- Click Finish.
- Once the initial installation and configuration is complete it will ask you to restart your computer. Restart.
- Continue the setup.
- Deselect the boxes on the registration pages if you do not want to be put on the Real Networks mailing list.
- Choose the BASIC setup. Choosing the other option will install a 14 day trial version of the fully featured player and not the free version. This 14 day trial version, will time out after that period and no longer work without purchase.
- Click Finish.
- The player will open with a sample animation and the extended browser window open.
- Go to > tools > preferences > auto update > deselect the auto update feature.
Now you have installed the player, you may watch any of Tate's Online Events by simply clicking the play button and selecting your prefered bandwidth.
Player Versions
In order to take advantage of the new high quality encoding available for Tate broadband 256k
webcasts and archives you must have version 10 of the Real
Player. If you do not have Real Player 10 then playback will stutter. Follow the
above Installation Instructions.
Our narrowband 56k webcasts and archives are backwards compatible with Real Player 8 as well as Real Player 10.
If you are having trouble with an existing version of Real Player, uninstall all existing versions of the player and reinstall from the instructions above.
If the player is opening properly, but you are experiencing problems accessing or playing back an event, see also Technical Trouble Shooting.
Can't watch live event
Please note that live events are
only available online half an hour before the scheduled programme.
Previous to, and after the live webcast (duration is noted
near the top of the page), clicking on the play button will
give you a "general error message". Check the time advertised
in your location and try again. Alternatively, events are
made available as an archive
two weeks after the live event. Event times are noted on the
website in Greenwich Mean Time or British Summer Time as relevant
to the live physical event. A time zone converter is available
on the live event page so that you are able to
view the correct event time, based on your location.
To experience live Online Events or view the archives, you will need access to a computer with a sound card and a connection to the internet (at least 56K). You will also need to have a piece of free software called Real Player installed.
It would be best if you knew that your computer is able to play audio and video in the Real Player before you connect to live webcasts.
It will take about 15 - 20 minutes to install the player and restart your computer.
See also
Can't find an archived event
After an online event has passed, it is made available as an archived video or audio file. It will generally take two weeks to update the archive. Please note that large scale symposia can take longer to post produce.
Once an event has been archived you are able to find it in the Online Events Archive. Archives are dynamically viewable by date, event title (alphabetical) and format (talk, symposia, sound & performance, study day). You can toggle between the three views, starting at the first or last listings of each category by clicking on the relevant list heading.
Once you have found the event you are looking for, if you have troubles watching or listening to the archived file see Technical Trouble Shooting for more detailed technical advice.
See also
Don't understand the difference between live and archived online events
A live online event is an event that is being distributed on the internet in real time. It is only available at the advertised time and allows many simultaneous viewers.
Event times are noted on the website in Greenwich Mean Time or British Summer Time as relevant to the live physical event. A time zone converter is available on the live event page so that you are able to view the correct event time based on your location.
An archived event is a previously recorded event, which is available to view online at any time upon a users' request. You can watch an archive at any time of the day or night as many times as you like. Once an event has been archived you are able to find it in the Online Events archive listings, dynamically viewable by date, event tiltle and format.
Archives are made available approximately two weeks after the live event. Please note that large symposia may take longer to post produce. See copyright information for permitted and non-permitted use of Tate Online Events.
Bandwidth Advice
Events are webcast live and archived, in both narrowband 56k and broadband 256k. You may manually choose which option is applicable to your internet connection.
In order to access our broadband 256k
webcasts and archives you must have version 10 of the Real
Player. If you do not have the latest player then follow the
above Installation Instructions.
If you are viewing an online event on a 56k modem connection, you may experience some delays and extra buffering, even though Tate Online Events are designed to be available to low bandwidth users. Do try logging on at another time of day as periodic, network traffic issues can often be the problem.
If you do not have broadband access and you have persistent problems with a low bandwidth connection, it is possible to use the Tate Research Centre (public access computers), located at Tate Britain to view archived files. The research Centre is open from 11am - 5pm Monday to Friday and requires photo ID to register as a user of the resource. If you are planning on using the research centre for this purpose it is advisable to phone ahead of your visit.
Alternatively you can use any public access facility which makes a higher bandwidth available for general use and allows the download of plugins onto the computers.
Technical Trouble Shooting
Some common errors and what to try if you are experiencing problems viewing a live webcast or archive.
General Errors
Please note that live webcasts are only available no more than half an hour before the scheduled programme. Previous to, and after the duration of the live webcast (noted near the top of the live event page), clicking on the play button will either give you a message asking you to check the advertised time and date, or a "general error message". Check the time advertised in your location (a time zone converter is supplied so that you can check the equivalent time if you are situated outside the UK) and try again.
Alternatively, events are made available as an archive and uploaded two weeks after the live event. Archives should be available at any time on demand.
If the webcast playback appears to freeze completely in the middle of a scheduled live programme after it has previously been working, it is likely that you have temporarily lost your connection to the server. Try repressing the play button on the RealOne player in order to reconnect.
If you have further problems with an archive or during a programmed live webcast you can try the following suggestions.
For general trouble shooting advice reference the Real Networks: Customer support. There you can browse frequently asked questions and search support articles with your querie.
Network Traffic
Sometimes errors can occur due to "network traffic" between you and the server hosting the webcast. It often results in blocky or stuttered playback and is most common on a 56k modem connection.
Network traffic varies at different times. If you are attempting to view an archived file and the problem appears to be network traffic related we highly recommend having another go at a different time of the day or night. Network traffic will be relevant to the overall usage of your internet service provider as well as the distance the signal has to travel between the Tate server and your computer. Its affects can vary considerably.
If you are using a broadband ADSL connection, network traffic is also relevant to the amount of connections on your street, as ADSL exchanges distribute a shared bandwidth across a local area.
Also make sure that your bandwidth is not being used by other browser windows or applications like email managers to download additional content at the same time as you are trying to view the webcast.
For further information on network traffic issues - how to identify and trouble shoot, see the Real Networks: How to tell if network traffic is effecting playback, which runs through a series of trouble shooting steps which help you to identify what the problem is likely to be, and further provides some options on how you may rectify the issue.
Occasionally network traffic will affect the quality of the live webcast going out from the Tate, and therefore the resulting archived file. However this is not very common, The Tate has made every effort to set up a system which minimizes this possibility. For artist talks and symposium, clear and unstuttered audio is prioritized over vision so that the verbal content clarity of speakers is maintained.
Firewall Settings
If you are viewing the webcast from within a university or similar environment, that hosts a local area network server, it is likely to have high internet security and firewalls installed. Firewalls can cause problems when trying to view webcasts. See the Real Networks: How do I configure my real player to work with firewalls? page for information on how to configure your player for such environments. If you have an older version of the real player, the following Real Networks: Firewalls document may also be of use.
Firewall problems are most likely to give you an error message such as "unable to connect" or "file not found". This may be because your network server security settings are configured not to let the type of data required for streaming media through the server ports. The above linked document explains how to adjust settings in the player preferences in order to optimize the chances of getting around this issue. If the problem persists it is advisable to contact your network administrator for advice.
Other Connection Errors
The Real Networks special event coverage: Why am i having troubles connecting?, article runs through some of the basic trouble shooting issues and further into detail on more advanced player settings.
When you download the player the default settings should provide an appropriate set of preferences, however with reference to the above online document you can explore further technical detail if necessary. It is worth checking the RealOne Player Preferences for connection (proxy) and network transports, if your troubles persist.
Please note that Tate is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
See also
Want to know more about streaming media and webcasting
Formats
There are three main commercial format options for live webcast production. Each of the three websites listed below will have information on the software and hardware required, as well as getting started tutorials. There are also a range of free, open source options available. Doing an internet search on "open source + streaming media" will direct you to relevant resources.
Streaming Server
If you are going to webcast live events, you will need access to a streaming server, as well as the broadcast software itself. You can either build your own server, or you can hire space from a commercial company. This is not always cheap, and would be a significant monthly outgoing. You will also need a fast computer with a good sound and video capture card to run the encoding software.
If you want to provide video or audio content on demand from your website, You can use software such as Real Producer, Windows Media Encoder or Media Cleaner Pro to encode prerecorded video and audio and make it available at a users request. This is much easier and cheaper than streaming live events, as it can done without using a dedicated streaming server. Pre-recorded or archived files will work on a regular http web server. However, be aware that hosted on a regular web server, a copy of the content is downloaded onto a user's computer upon each request for the file. In this case you should ensure that there are no copyright restrictions on your content which do not permit permanent copies to be made.
Network Issues
Often the most difficult thing about webcasting and streaming media, are network issues. University networks for example, always have very tight security and firewalls, which cause problems for streaming content. You will need to discuss this with your network administrator or service provider in order to negotiate the opening of some server ports for your streaming content to move through.
Further Resources
If you would like to know more about webcasting - or streaming media as it is often known - there are many resource websites available online. For introductory and further information about webcasting and streaming media see the links below.
Please note that Tate is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Copyright Information
The information, text, audio, video, performance, symposia and images (known collectively as the 'Content') are protected by copyright laws under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended 2003.
The images, names, trademarks and logo's identifying Tate or any third parties are proprietary marks of the Tate or such third parties and may not be reproduced without their prior written permission. Anyone re-publishing material from Tate website will be liable for any resulting infringement of copyright.
All rights to the Content remain the copyright of the original authors. The digitized video files are produced and selected for inclusion in the On-line Events archive by Tate curators, under a licence with the original authors and are therefore © 2000 - 2004 Tate. Tate reserves all rights to host and distribute these materials exclusively for non-commercial and educational purposes.
Permitted use
Copyright laws apply to the entire Content of the archive. You may access and download the Content and store a copy on a temporary basis for the sole purpose of viewing the Content without alteration or addition. You may print Content (other than third party copyright) provided that such reproduction will be used for your own personal, educational or for non-commercial research purposes only. However users of the archive are obliged to date and credit the artist / speaker, Tate and any associated partners as indicated for individual events.
Non-Permitted use
No content may be permanently copied or reproduced whatsoever, including without limitation, the extraction and/or storage in any retrieval system, or inclusion in any other computer program, website or stored in or transmitted to or from any other electronic, digital form either in whole or in part, without the express written permission of the copyright holder.
For further information on relevant permissions and conditions of use, please see the Tate copyright notice.
Further archive access available through the Tate Research Centre
It is possible to use the Tate Research Centre (public access computers), located at Tate Britain, London to view archived files, should you not have your own facilities. The research Centre is open from 11am - 5pm Monday to Friday and requires photo ID to register as a user of the resource. If you are planning on using the research centre for this purpose it is advisable to phone ahead of your visit.
The Research Centre further provides onsite archive and library resources.
Archive
The Tate Archive was established in 1969 based on personal papers already donated and the increasingly rich records of the Tate's own activities. It has grown rapidly and now contains over one million documents, cared for by a professional staff of archivists, and now housed at the Hyman Kreitman Research Centre, Tate Britain.
Library
The Tate Library broadly covers those areas in which Tate collects: British art from the Renaissance to the present day and international modern art. The emphasis is on fine art in the Western tradition and international contemporary art.
Further queries and questions
Trouble Shooting
Before contacting us regarding difficulties with a live webcast or archive, do take 10 minutes to check through the help pages and trouble shooting advice. Often the problem is minor and can be rectified with a few simple steps. You should only have to go through the process once. After setting up your RealOne player as advised, all webcasts and archives will remain available to you with a single click of the mouse.
Contact Tate Online Events
If you are unable to resolve the issue you may contact us directly for assistance. When registering a problem please note as much detail about the error as you can (see 1 - 6 below) so that an appropriate response can be fast tracked. Best efforts are made to respond to enquiries as fast as possible.
- State whether it is a live broadcast or an archive you have had trouble with.
- State which webcast / archive you were attempting to access.
- State whether you are using a Mac or a PC.
- State what bandwidth you are using eg. 56k modem / ADSL broadband...
- State the nature of the problem. eg. the playback is blocky / audio breaking up / can not load clip...
- If there is a message on the RealOne player (displayed at the top of the player in a small green text field) please forward this information. eg. file not found / can not connect...
Normally the player will display messages as follows: connecting / loading / buffering... and then the file name displayed as it begins to play back.
If network traffic is heavy then you may get the buffering message coming back repeatedly as the playback stops and starts. This is not a file error but a sign that network traffic on your connection is currently heavy, see technical trouble shooting for further information.
If you have questions or feedback please email webmaster@tate.org.uk
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