Introduction

In order to view video on the web, you need two things: 1) a web browser (such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer or AOL/Netscape's Navigator) and 2) a media player. In addition, you will need to decide which video format you want to use. Each of these issues is discussed below.

Which browser should you use?

Either Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator may be used to view the video clips. However, the MathVIDS authors recommend Internet Explorer. Whichever browser you choose, you should use the latest version available.

Internet Explorer. Get latest Internet Explorer for PC. Get latest Internet Explorer for Macintosh. Users with older PCs or Macintoshes should consult the Internet Explorer Download Page for the most appropriate browser for their systems. Note that the minimum installation of IE (including the Windows Media Player) is all that is required to view the web videos. Other components of IE (such as Netmeeting, Chat) are not required for viewing the videos.

Netscape Communicator. JMU faculty, staff, and students can download the latest version of Netscape Communicator from the JMU software downloads page. Others can obtain Communicator from the Netscape website.

Which media player should you use?

Web browsers play web video by using a media player. A different media player exists for each different type of video. That is, each of the three major types of web video - Windows Media, Real Video, QuickTime - comes with its own player. Evolution of web video is rapid, with improvements in the technology occurring frequently. If you want to experience web video to its fullest, it is vital that you use the latest versions of the media players.

When you install the latest browser, the latest media player for that browser is also installed. If you have recently installed the latest browser on your computer, you do not need to read this section of media players. In general, if you want to upgrade your media player, you should probably also upgrade your browser. The two go hand in hand.

MathVIDS videos are offered in two different video formats - Windows Media and QuickTime. Note that, for MathVIDS, the latest Windows Media Technologies are used in order to maximize the video quality. So, you will need the latest Windows Media Player. However, for Quicktime, MathVIDS videos use an older version of the QuickTime software (version 3.0). This is so that the MathVIDS can be played on older PCs and Macintoshes. If you have an older PC or Macintosh and want to view MathVIDS, you should probably choose the QuickTime video format. If you have a relatively new PC or Macintosh, you should probably choose the Windows Media video format. This format will give you the highest quality video.

Windows Media. All Windows Media Players are available free of charge. Get the latest Windows Media Player for PC. Get the latest Windows Media Player for Macintosh,

QuickTime. QuickTime was the first video format widely supported on the web and is still popular. Given the widespread use of QuickTime, it is likely that a version of QuickTime is already installed on your computer. There are two main versions of QuickTime - QuickTime 3 and QuickTime 4. Each version of QuickTime is available as a free download. In addition, more advanced versions - QuickTime 3 Pro and QuickTime 4 Pro - are available for $30 each. However, only the basic version is required for viewing MathVIDS videos; the advanced version adds a few features of interest to web video developers and web enthusiasts. Suggestion: Try out the free version and then decide whether to upgrade to the full featured version. Get QuickTime 4. If you are using QuickTime 3, you will probably want to upgrade to QuickTime 4. Current QuickTime 3 Pro users can upgrade to QuickTime 4 Pro at the website noted. However, as noted, MathVIDS require only version 3 of QuickTime to run on your computer.

Which type of web video should you choose?

For MathVIDS, t is recommended that you choose Windows Media, whenever possible, for viewing web videos on both the PC and on the Mac. On older computers that may not support the newest version of the respective browsers and media players, QuickTime is recommended for viewing. Note that, even on these older machines, QuickTime will have to be installed in order to see the QuickTime videos.

Keeping up with web video

The technologies underlying web video change on almost a daily basis. Without extra help, it is almost impossible to keep up. Fortunately, the Windows Media Player makes it easy to check for player updates via an online help option. Just click on the Check for update option built into the player and the player will go to the web and see if new technical refinements are available for downloading.

A final comment: Screen resolution and color depth

As a general rule, web video looks better (crisper) at higher screen resolutions. A resolution of 1024x768 (XGA) is optimal and is the default resolution of most newer computers. Further, you should set your monitor to the greatest color depth it will support. While there is little perceptible difference in video quality between a color depth of 32-bit and 16-bit, a color depth of only 256 colors results in poor video quality, regardless of the quality of the source video.

Rich Ingram
May 1, 2000