HHS link


CIT can broadcast your seminar, conference or meeting live to a world-wide audience over the Internet as a real-time streaming video. The event can be recorded and made available for viewers to watch at their convenience as an on-demand video or a downloadable podcast. CIT can also broadcast NIH-only or HHS-only content.

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.

What is NIH VideoCasting?

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. VideoCasting is the method of electronically streaming digitally encoded video and audio data from a server to a client.

VideoCast is often referred to as streaming video. 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.

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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.

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Download RealPlayer software

RealPlayer is required to watch VideoCasts. NIH staff download RealPlayer Enterprise for Windows or RealPlayer Macintosh. Others download free RealPlayer.

Download Windows RealPlayer Enterprise - NIH staff only
Download Macintosh RealPlayer
Download Free RealPlayer

Streaming video is best viewed with a high-speed network connection. Most computers at NIH are capable of displaying a VideoCast. Outside NIH, computers with broadband speeds of 512 Kbps or faster can view world-accessible VideoCasts. Dial-up is not supported. If you need help, call the NIH Help Desk at (301) 496-4357, toll free (866) 319-4357 or send email to NIH IT Help Desk.

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Does my network firewall block NIH VideoCasts?

RealPlayer uses RTSP at port 554 for unicasting. This has to be allowed through your firewall to connect to our events. This is the default port RealServer uses and the standard for RTSP.

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How do I know if RealPlayer software is working?

Test video, plug-in, browser, java, firewall and bandwidth before watching a live presentation. If there are problems, call the NIH Help Desk at (301) 496-4357, toll free (866) 319-4357 or send email to NIH IT Help Desk.

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Why can't I see certain VideoCasts but others work?

Select VideoCasts (Demystifying Medicine, Proteomics, Infectious Disease Imaging, Green Purchasing - HHS Only) use CIT's Accordent system. These presentations synchronize live video to PowerPoint web images and move caption text under the video window, all within an embedded browser. Pop-up blockers or firewalls can interfere, so check or turn off. Use Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher for Windows and Safari 2.0.4 or higher for Macintosh. If you still have a problem, re-install RealPlayer Enterprise - NIH only, Macintosh RealPlayer or Free RealPlayer and re-boot your computer. Test video with synchronized slides .

Figure 1. Slides look great with Accordent presentations but pop-up blockers and firewalls can interfere. Outdated RealPlayer software can cause problems, so re-installing to latest version usually helps.

You will not be able to see NIH-only and HHS-only events on networks outside NIH or HHS. You can only see them from the NIH or HHS network or with NIH VPN service.

NIH VideoCasting has almost 4,000 archive videos dating back ten years or longer. On occasion, some content encoded years ago with early versions of RealProducer may not stream with some versions of RealPlayer software. If you have trouble viewing an old VideoCast, please contact CIT Video Services.

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

CIT can attach supplementary material to special events or lecture series, such as DNA Repair. If slides are not available on the VideoCast page, contact the event coordinator to see if supplementary material is available on another website. If you need help locating the event coordinator, contact CIT Video Services.

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Can I download a VideoCast?

WALS, Neuroscience, Immunology, DSS, Stem Cell, Systems Biology, Bioethics, BSSR, TRACO, Redox Biology, AHIC and CMS RealPlayer video files can be saved to disk.  Windows IE users right-click the Download button and save target as. Download Instructions for other operating systems or browsers may vary. If there is another lecture series you would like to petition for download, contact CIT Video Services and we will forward your request to the event coordinator.

Figure 1. Sample image shows IE users can "right click Download button" and "Save Target As" to download select video files.

All others require a download request with title and date to CIT Video Services. Download requests with more than one lecture will not be processed. If approved by the event coordinator, CIT will provide a free download.

Podcast QuickTime video and audio MP3 files are available for download. Windows IE users right-click the Play button and save target as. Download Instructions for other operating systems or browsers may vary.

Figure 2. Sample image shows IE users can "right click Play button" and "Save Target As" to download QuickTime video and audio MP3 files.

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Why can't I see NIH-only or HHS-only VideoCasts?

All VideoCasts are world-accessible except for NIH-only and HHS-only events. Individual event coordinators determine the access level. This is how CIT determines which videos are world-accessible or NIH/HHS only. VideoCasts marked NIH/HHS-only can only be seen from computers on NIH/HHS networks or from outside networks with VPN software. The HHS network includes the following agencies: ACF, AoA, AHRQ, ATSDR, CDC, CMS, FDA, HHS, HRSA, IHS, NIH, PSC, and SAMHSA.

You will need an NIH VPN account and software on your home computer to watch NIH-only or HHS-only VideoCasts. Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows NIH employees to access the NIH network and Institute computing resources over a third-party Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as that from Verizon FIOS/DSL or Comcast Cable. You will need to contact your third-party ISP to verify that the ISP allows VPN over their network. More information is at http://remoteaccess.nih.gov or staff can call the NIH Helpdesk at (301) 496-4357 for VPN information.

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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. All VideoCasts are archived for on-demand playback. Video archives are not removed unless requested by the event coordinator.

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Are the VideoCasts captioned?

All live VideoCasts are captioned for Section 508 compliance. Some older VideoCasts may not have captions and these are exempt from Section 508. Most VideoCasts are open captioned. CIT is testing a closed caption system to move text below the video window.

Open caption video

Closed caption video

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

If you have tested RealPlayer software by watching a past event but can not view a live VideoCast, call the NIH Help Desk at (301) 496-4357, toll free (866) 319-4357 or send email to NIH IT Help Desk.

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Does VideoCast have RSS feeds?

There are RSS 2.0 feeds for Upcoming Events, Past Events, individual past event categories and Podcasts. For more information, go the RSS help page.

RSS Feed

Figure 1.  RSS feeds publish frequently updated content and Podcasts.

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Are Podcasts available for my portable media player?

Video and audio Podcast files are available for download so you can access content whenever you want from your portable media player. We recommend using iTunes to subscribe to the Podcasts, as well as viewing the files and synching them to your media device. The Podcasts can also be downloaded directly from our website and viewed in QuickTime. For more information, go the Podcast FAQ. If there is a lecture series you would like to petition for Podcasting, contact CIT Video Services and we will forward your request to the event coordinator.

Figure 1.  Take videos to go with Podcasting.

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How do I show VideoCasts "cinema style" in a conference room with a projector?

The RealPlayer video size is 320x240. This format works best to stream content over the Internet. The best way to show NIH videos in a "cinema-session" would be to lower the computer's screen resolution to its lowest 640x480 or 800x600. To avoid degraded video, do not play in full screen. Double screen works best.  AV staff can contact  CIT Video Services in advance to get the video link for an upcoming VideoCast so they can test the room 30 minutes prior to the actual start time.

Figure 1. AV conference room staff can avoid degraded video by lowering computer display properties and not playing in "full screen."

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Why can't I see video on my second dual-monitor display?

If RealPlayer shows black video on your second dual-monitor display and works fine on your first display, check RealPlayer preferences to see if optimized video is selected. Go to Tools, Preferences, Hardware, video Card Compatibility to disable "Use optimized display."

Figure 1. RealPlayer can show normal video on your primary display and black video when you move the player to your second dual-monitor display.

Figure 2. Usually turning off "Use optimized display" enables video to be displayed on your second display.

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Why do slides look fuzzy?

If viewers increase the video size, slides and text can look fuzzy.

Figure 1. The normal video size is 320x240.

Figure 2. When viewers increase the video to "double size" text begins to get fuzzy.

Figure 3. When viewers increase the video to  "full screen" text gets fuzzy.

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 Why do I get an error that says "I don't have enough bandwidth" or video stops but audio continues to stream?

To improve performance and to avoid degraded video, check RealPlayer preferences to see if bandwidth is configured properly. Go to Tools, Preferences, Connection to adjust bandwidth values to 10Mbps LAN. If necessary, re-install RealPlayer Enterprise - NIH only, Macintosh RealPlayer or Free RealPlayer.

Figure 1. Verify normal and maximum bandwidth is set to 10Mbps LAN.

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Could network conditions cause degraded video?


Figure 1. Unstable network conditions can lead to video impairments.

If you are experiencing poor performance using RealPlayer on a Windows computer, you have installed or re-installed the latest version of RealPlayer, and you need to send a request to your network administrators to research your problem, it may be helpful to include a screen shot of the information provided by a built-in diagnostic feature of RealPlayer.

Under the Tools menu in RealPlayer, select Playback Statistics, and then select in turn each of the three options: Bandwidth, Packet, and Streams. Each option will open a small window on your PC. Within the Streaming Statistics window, select "RealVideo Stream" from Streaming Statistics to display transport protocol and current bitrate. You may also want to open the PC's Task Manager, Networking tab.

Then, take a screen shot, save it as a JPEG in the Paint accessory program, and attach it to your email message. Also, include the IP address of your PC.

Figure 2.  Sample image shows less than desirable  network conditions. Player is not getting target bandwidth when it drops from 100% to 0%. Go to Tools, Playback Statistics, select Bandwidth.

Figure 3.  Sample image shows normal network conditions. Player is getting 100% target bandwidth. Go to Tools, Playback Statistics, select Bandwidth.

Target Bandwidth

Encoded at Rate at which the clip was encoded (typically with RealProducer, also known as an Audience).
Current Instant update of current stream rate
Minimum Lowest rate at which the current stream has reached
Maximum Highest rate at which the current stream has reached
Average Total bandwidth used divided by the amount of seconds the stream has played.

Figure 4.  Sample image shows packet statistics. Go to Tools, Playback Statistics, select Packets.

Packet Status

Received Amount of packets delivered to player that were successful
Recovered Amount of packets that initial had trouble, but were retransmitted successfully
Total Sum of Received and Recovered packets
Late Number of packets that were received out of sequence, but later were set in place (typically seen when streaming with TCP)
Lost Number of packets requested that never reached the client
Total Sum of Late and Lost packets

Retransmission

Requested Number of packets client asked server to resend
Received Number of requested retransmitted packets the client received

Retransmission Rate

Average Total time of retransmitted packets to be received divided by amount of retransmitted packets
Peak Longest duration of retransmitted packet
Lowest Shortest duration of retransmitted packet

Figure 5.  Sample image shows streaming statistics. Go to Tools, Playback Statistics, select Streaming. Select RealVideo Stream from the list of components in the blue window. The default component is Stream0- .Source0.

Streaming Statistics

Stream List of each component involved in entire stream (i.e. Audio, Video and SMIL) Components that are registered by the player but unidentifiable are listed as Stream0 and count upwards accordingly.
Codec Format at which individual component was encoded (i.e. RealVideo 8,9,10)
Server Shows streaming server where clip component originates with version and corresponding operating system build (i.e. Helix Server 11.1.1.1099
Transport Protocol Listed protocol in use (i.e. Multicast, UDP, TCP, HTTP, RTSPvHTTP)
Bitrate Rate at which the individual clip component was encoded (typically with RealProducer, also known as an Audience).
Encoded at Frame rate the video was encoded at (i.e. 30.0 fps)
Current Instant update of current clip component stream rate
Post filter Detects if Post Filter has been enabled during clip creation. HFE (High Frequency Emphasis) post filter corrects and further enhances the spectral information lost or attenuated in video. This filter looks for subtle improvements in textures/noise in the spatial domain and their temporal continuity.
Frames Displayed Percentage of frames requested that were displayed in the client
Frames Lost Number of frames requested by client that were never displayed in the client
Frames Dropped Number of frames sent, but client rejected
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Can I get CME credits watching a VideoCast?

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is the accredited provider for NIH CME activities as of
March 1, 2008. For more information, please visit https://www.nihandhopkinscme.org and contact CME tech support directly from this page.

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Can I add an Upcoming Event to my calendar?

Yes. In the summary page for an Upcoming Event, click on the "iCalendar" iCalendar button button to add the event to your calendar.

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