• Currently available for select programs only
• Internet2 (or other high speed) connection of at least 5.6 Mbps is required
• Microsoft's DirectX is required
• MPEG-2 Decoder is required
  If you do not have an MPEG-2 decoder, a 21-day trial decoder is available from Elecard.

  Note: to display content at 5.6 Mbps, your system should meet these minimum hardware requirements:

  800 Mhz Pentium III or faster
  256 MB RAM
  Windows ME/2000/XP

  If you are using an alternate MPEG-2 decoder, such as Netstream 2000 or XCard, by Sigma Designs, then follow the hardware requirements for the card.
• IBM's VideoCharger Player handles streaming the MPEG-2 content over the network to the client

• What are MPEG-2 programs and why would I choose to view them rather than other formats?
• Why is UWTV making programs available in MPEG-2 format?
• How is the MPEG-2 format content made available?
• What hardware do I need to view MPEG-2 content?
• What software do I need to receive MPEG-2 content?
• Where do I get the IBM Video Charger client and how do I install it?
• What settings should I use for IBM's Video Charger client?
• What network connectivity do I need to access the MPEG-2 programs?
• What is the minimum bandwidth required to successfully view MPEG-2 content?
• Do you support multicast in receiving these streams?
• Are you making the live UWTV stream available in MPEG-2 format?
• If I don't have adequate bandwidth, can I just download the programs and view them after the download is complete?
• Is there an MPEG-2 player available for Macintosh?
• Is there an MPEG-2 player available for Linux?
• If I don't have the network connectivity or can't run IBM's Video Charger client, is there another way to view the programs?
• Are there Video Charger players available for languages other than English?
  

Q: What are MPEG-2 programs and why would I choose to view them rather than other formats?

A: Programs in MPEG-2 format at 5.6 Mbps will have higher clarity in both audio and video than other streaming formats. Though the quality is much better, the MPEG-2 programs require dramatically more bandwidth (speed) than other commercial Internet video streams.

Q: Why is UWTV making these programs available in MPEG-2 format?

A: As part of its ongoing research in the field of Internet communications, UWTV is currently experimenting with new methods of Internet-based distribution for broadcast-quality video programming.

Q: How is the MPEG-2 format content made available?

A: For video-on-demand streaming of MPEG-2 content onto the internet, UWTV is using IBM's Video Charger solution. More info on this system is available from IBM. We are currently using Video Charger Version 8.1 beta 6.

Q: What hardware do I need to view MPEG-2 content?

A: The Video Charger client currently is only available on the Windows platform. Minimum hardware for displaying a 5.6 Mbps stream is fairly substantial, although it depends on whether you are using a hardware MPEG2 decoder or not. However, a sound card and 100 Mbps Ethernet card is required.

If you are using a hardware MPEG-2 decoder, such as the Netstream 2000 or XCard, both by Sigma Designs, then follow the hardware requirements for the card. If you are using a software MPEG-2 decoder, such as the Elecard codec, the minimum hardware requirements are:

800 Mhz Pentium III or faster
256 MB of memory
Windows ME/2000/XP

Q: What software do I need to view MPEG-2 content?

A: There are several required components:

1. Microsoft's DirectX is probably already loaded on your computer, but if it is not, you will need to install it. It can be installed from: Microsoft.com
2. If you do not have a hardware MPEG-2 decoder, you will need an MPEG-2 software decoder. A decoder that we have tested is available from Elecard for a 21-day trial.
   Note: to display content at 5.6 Mbps, the computer will need to be fairly powerful.
3. IBM's Video Charger handles streaming the MPEG-2 content over the network to the client. You may download the free player here.

Q: Where do I get the IBM VideoCharger and how do I install it?

A: The free VideoCharger can be installed here. There are directions on that page for installing the client.

Q: What settings should I use for IBM's Video Charger?

A: There are two settings that should be set on the Video Charger, both of which are found under the Options menu, Preferences dialog, Network tab:

1. Ensure "Do not use pre-parsed data from server for streamed files" is checked.
2. Regarding Transport Protocol, select "User Selection" and then on configure, select UDP rather than TCP. You will need to restart the player for these settings to take effect.

Q: What network connectivity do I need to access the MPEG-2 programs?

A: You need to be connected to a high speed network such as the Internet2 network to access this high speed content. Currently, it is impractical to provide content at this 5.6 Mbps rate over the commercial internet due to financial considerations.

Q: What is the minimum bandwidth (speed) required to successfully view MPEG-2 content?

A: For good performance, you will need at least a 10 Mbps connection from the player to the streaming server (hosted at the University of Washington). This will mean not only a fast connection within your local area network, but also a fast connection to the Internet2 network. Note that if the local network is only 10 Mbps Ethernet, the video streaming will cause excessive traffic that may disrupt other applications. For this reason, it is recommended that your player reside on a 100 Mbps Ethernet segment.

Q: Do you support multicast in receiving these streams?

A: We currently do not support receiving the MPEG-2 streams on demand via multicast.

Q: Are you making the live UWTV stream available in MPEG-2 format?

A: For streaming the live UWTV programming to Internet2 participants at 5.6 Mbps MPEG-2, we use Amnis Corporation's NAC 3000 MPEG Video Encoder. Please contact us if you are interested in receiving this stream.

Q: If I don't have adequate bandwidth, can I just download the programs and view them after the download is complete?

A: No, UWTV does not currently make these programs available for download. If a program is not available on demand, you may still be able to view it on the webcast or TV broadcast. Check the UWTV website for it's programming schedule.

Q: Is there an MPEG-2 player available for Macintosh?

A: No, but we are planning to provide a Macintosh player at a future date.

Q: Is there an MPEG-2 player available for Linux?

A: No, but we are planning to provide a Linux player at a future date.

Q: If I don't have the network connectivity or can't run IBM's Video Charger, is there another way to view the programs?

A: The content may be available in other formats on the UWTV website at lower bitrates.

Q: Are there Video Charger players available for languages other than English?

A: Yes, there are players available in Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Please contact us if you need access to these players.