everytime i try to stream a tv show off a website, like Lost off abc.com or something, it downloads but then will only play in fits and starts. i can't get it to play smoothly, and i don't know what's wrong. i don't have any other programs running, is this just some sort of internal problem, like not enough memory or something? The episodes are completely downloaded, they just won't play straight through...any thoughts?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
abc.com only has streaming episodes, not downloadable ones. Try checking to see if your player is the most recent version.
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
well, i go to the page and the episode starts streaming, then it stops for thirty seconds, then starts playing again, then stops, then starts. so i don't know what's wrong.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I had that problem a while back too. Pretty sure upgrading the player did the trick.
Posted by Tristan (Member # 1670) on :
A simple explanation and one you probably already thought of: is your broadband connection broad enough? Streaming video works by buffering data and then starts playing once the player thinks it has enough to get going. If your connection isn't fast enough to keep up a sufficient buffer of data, the symptoms you describe will occur.
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
Or it could be a problem with video codecs...are your codecs up to date?
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
All streaming video is downloadable.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
I know it is possible, because the last bunch of episodes of Day Break were ripped from ABC's site and placed on Pirate Bay.
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
Ok, so which player am i updating? ABC's episodes are straight off the site, so i'm not opening them in Quicktime or Windows Media or whatever...where do i go to update?
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by Stephan: I know it is possible, because the last bunch of episodes of Day Break were ripped from ABC's site and placed on Pirate Bay.
Except, of course, for the finale, which ABC is sitting on for some reason. Grr...!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Leonide: Ok, so which player am i updating? ABC's episodes are straight off the site, so i'm not opening them in Quicktime or Windows Media or whatever...where do i go to update?
quote:Originally posted by Stephan: I know it is possible, because the last bunch of episodes of Day Break were ripped from ABC's site and placed on Pirate Bay.
Except, of course, for the finale, which ABC is sitting on for some reason. Grr...!
I know the answer to that question. They are going to put out a DVD set, and want to force you to buy it for that one episode. Sort of like what happened with the second season of Tru Calling.
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
Except that I actually got to see all of Tru Calling (including the unaired eps) before the DVD came out. But no one is leaking this. <sigh>
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
I always, instead of trying to play the video right off the bat, hit "pause" on the player and leave it until the bar shows me that it's completely loaded.
-pH
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
quote:Originally posted by pH: I always, instead of trying to play the video right off the bat, hit "pause" on the player and leave it until the bar shows me that it's completely loaded.
-pH
Works great on my computer for Youtube, but not for ABC's site. I think the only answer is to pay for a faster internet connection. It is a shame ABC won't just let you download it easily with a little Ford or Nike logo in the corner to sponsor it. I would be happy to start downloading while I am at work to watch when I get home. Until then I am stuck using the "illegal" sources.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
I don't know about ABC, but CBS posts their programs in chunks under a single link with commercials in between. So I can pause at the beginning of a clip, let it almost fully buffer, and then start the playback. By the time I get to the end of the clip, the buffer is complete. Unfortunately, I have to do that 3-5 times per episode because of the commercials.