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Video Help

NIHSeniorHealth videos are available in two formats - standard video format, e.g. Windows Media Player (PC) and Quicktime (Mac), or Flash. If the videos won't play properly, install one of the following media players. Use the links below to access your preferred media player.


Windows Media Player for PC:

The free media player is available at Microsoft's Download Center. The URL is http://www.windowsmedia.com/download/download.asp.

Follow these instructions (we suggest printing these for easy reference):

  • The Download Center page offers you a series of pulldown menus to select the version of Windows Media Player.
    • For 'Select Download,' leave the default selection as 'Windows Media Player.'
    • For 'Select Version,' choose the version that fits the type of Windows operating system you have, e.g. Windows XP, Windows 2000, etc.
    • For 'Select Language,' leave the default selection as 'English Language Version.'
  • Or below the pulldown menus, select one a version of Windows Media Player by clicking on the 'Download Now' button.

For Firefox users:

After clicking the 'Download Now' button, you will be asked to save this file. Select 'Save File.' The file will have a name similar to wmp11-windowsxp-x86-enu.exe. This file will be saved to your computer's desktop.

Find the .exe file on your desktop and double click it to begin the installation.

Follow steps #1 through #5 in "For Internet Explorer users" below to complete the installation.


For Internet Explorer users:

After clicking the 'Download Now' button, you will be asked if you want to run or save the file. Select 'Run.'

The media player will download to your computer. This may take up to two hours, depending on the speed of your Internet connection.

When the download completes, a window will appear asking you if you want to run this software. To install the downloaded player, click on 'Run.'

  1. You will be prompted to validate your copy of Windows. To do so, click 'Validate.'
  2. The licensing information will appear. Click 'I accept' to agree to licensing information.
  3. When the installation has finished, you will see a settings screen. Select the circle next to 'Express Settings' and click the 'Finish' button at the bottom right of the screen.
  4. Windows Media Player will open.
  5. You're now ready to play a NIHSeniorHealth video.

Viewing Captions

If the video captioning does not appear beneath the video upon playing, you can turn on the captions by following the instructions below.
  1. Right click the icon in the upper left corner of the Windows Media Player window.
    Windows Media Player window with highlighted icon in upper left corner
  2. Select 'Tools' and then 'Options'
  3. Select the 'Security' tab from the pop-up window.
  4. Check the box next to 'Show local captions when present.'
  5. Select 'OK.'
  6. Right click the icon in the upper left corner of the Windows Media Player window again.
  7. Select 'Play - Lyrics, Captions, and Subtitles.'
  8. Choose 'English.'
  9. If you do not immediately see the captions below the video, close the video and start it again.



Apple QuickTime Player for PC:

The free player is available at Apple's Web site. The URL is http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.

Follow these instructions (we suggest printing these for easy reference):

If you have Windows XP or Vista, select QuickTime 7.4.1 for Windows XP or Vista.

After selecting the version, select 'Free Download Now.' (You do not need to enter an email address to get the download, unless you check the boxes to receive the updates from Apple.)


For Firefox users:

After clicking 'Download Now' you will be asked if you would like to save this file. Select 'Save File.' The file will have a name similar to QuickTimeInstaller.exe. This file will be saved to your computer's desktop.

Find the .exe file on your desktop and double click it to begin the installation.

Follow steps #1 through #6 in For Internet Explorer users below to complete the installation.


For Internet Explorer users:

After clicking 'Download Now' a file download security warning window will appear. Select 'Run' to begin the installation process.

After the installation file has downloaded, you will be asked if you want to run the software. Select 'Run.'

  1. The 'QuickTime for Windows' installer window will appear. Select 'Next.'
  2. Select 'Yes' to agree to the License Agreement.
  3. Choose a location where you want the QuickTime files to be installed. You can leave the default settings. Select 'Install.'
  4. QuickTime will install. It may take several minutes for the installation to complete.
  5. When prompted, select 'Finish' to complete the installation process.
  6. You are now ready to play a NIHSeniorHealth video.



Apple QuickTime Player for Mac:

The free player is available at Apples Web site. The URL is: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.

Follow these instructions (we suggest printing these for easy reference):

Select the proper player from the 3 options, which depend on the version of your operating system:
  • OS X version 10.5 - QT 7.4 for Leopard
  • OS X version 10.4.9 or higher - QT 7.4 for Tiger
  • OS X version 10.3.9 - QT 7.4 for Panther
  1. After selecting the proper version, select 'Free Download Now.' (You do not need to enter an email address to get the download, unless you check the box to receive updates from Apple.)
  2. Select 'Yes' to any security prompts.

For Firefox users:

  1. Select 'Save File' when prompted to open the installer file. The installer file (.dmg) will be saved on the desktop.
  2. Find the file on the desktop and double click it.
  3. When the QuickTime Updater window opens, double click on the file in the window to begin the installation.
  4. Follow steps #2 through #10 in "For Safari users" below to complete the installation.

For Safari users:
  1. Once the file is downloaded, you will see a download window. Select 'Download.'
  2. Select 'Continue' in the first Installer window.
  3. Select 'Continue' in the Important Information window.
  4. Select 'Continue' in the Software License Agreement window.
  5. Select 'Agree' in the window asking you to agree to the software license agreement.
  6. Select a destination for the installation. You can leave it as the default destination. Then, select 'Continue.'
  7. Select 'Install' on the Easy Install window.
  8. Select 'Continue Installation.'
  9. You are prompted to restart your computer.
  10. You are now ready to play a NIHSeniorHealth video.



Adobe Flash Player

The free player is available at Adobe's Web site. The URL is http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/
download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash.


Only a few health topics contain videos in Flash format. If you try to view one of the Flash format videos and do not have the plug-in installed on your computer, you will be prompted to obtain a free download of the software before you view the video. Follow the installation instructions provided on the download screens.


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