ABOUT THE VIDEOS
Our archived footage is encoded as Flash® Video (.flv) - the same format as used by sites such as youTube and the BBC iPlayer - and is shown using the JW Media Player: without doubt the most stable and versatile cross-browser delivery platform available. We use the same player to deliver the mp3s on the audio archive page, but in that case the player itself is invisible.
The JW Media Player is extremely robust, but like any software, if you abuse it or ask too much of it, it will throw a moody. "Channel hopping" rapidly through the video buttons is a pretty guaranteed way to crash your browser, as your computer tries (and usually fails) to cope with all the repeated requests to ditch the old video, load a new player into its memory and start streaming a new one.
VIEWING ESSENTIALS 1: - The Adobe Flash Player browser plug-in
In order to watch any kind of Flash-based web content, your internet browser must have the Adobe Flash Player plug-in installed.
Flash® is such a common feature of websites these days, it's very likely that your browser already has some version of the plug-in. However, in order for the JW Media Player to work correctly, you must make sure that the plug-in you're using is the most up-to-date version. Trying to play the footage with an out-dated version of the Flash plug-in will result in all sorts of problems: stuttering video; sound/picture sync issues; you name it. It can even cause your browser to freeze up altogether and crash.
Fortunately, getting hold of the latest version is the easiest thing on earth. Just GO HERE and follow the onscreen instructions. Installation is quick and simple. Even if you think you've already got the latest version, there's no harm at all in re-installing it, just to be on the safe side.
Got more than one browser on your machine? No problem: you only need to install the plug-in once. Once it's onboard, all of your browsers will be Flash-enabled and ready to roll.
VIEWING ESSENTIALS 2: - Javascript
You're all tooled up with the Flash® plug-in, but still no joy? Instead of seeing a big telly and the JW Player control bar, you've got a bit of green text telling you that you've got Javascript switched off. What now?
Javascript is an essential part of our video and audio pages. It's what enables us to provide so much content on demand. Each time you choose a new video from the scrolling panel, the Javascript stops the download of the one you were watching - very welcome news if your broadband contract has a monthly download limit! - and 'writes' a whole new player into the left hand side of the screen.
Javascript also performs a vital function across the whole of the site. It detects what size browser window you're using and adjusts the page contents to the optimal size for that window. In other words, it does its best to make the site fit your monitor. If you have Javascript switched off, you will be stuck with a 'default' version of the site which you may find is too big or too small for your screen.
Useful stuff, Javascript, eh?
HOW TO SWITCH ON JAVASCRIPT
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" I've switched Javascript on, but it STILL doesn't work! - What gives? "
In this situation, there are two main suspects:
1. Employer paranoia
If you are having difficulty accessing the site's audio and video features from a workplace computer, it may be that your employer's IT department has opted to disable Javascript on all of its machines. Corporate users sometimes do this as a 'catch all' measure against hackers and suchlike. As security strategies go, it's pretty dimwitted - a bit like cutting off your legs to avoid being tripped up - but there y'go. That's the way of the world, and there's nothing you or I can do about it.
2. The bane of Our Ken's life: over-zealous Internet Security software!
Internet security is, of course, a serious matter. These days we don't so much 'surf' the web as patrol it in armoured cars. Most brand new computers now come with some or other flavour of Internet Security package already installed, or you may perhaps have bought one and installed it yourself. Well done you!
However, most of these security packages have default settings that are insanely over-protective, blocking all manner of harmless content and leaving the hapless user with a severely hamstrung internet experience. It's amazing how many of us just put up with this situation, too - some because we are unaware that our Internet Security settings can be adjusted at all; others knowing that they can be adjusted but loath to 'meddle' for fear of leaving our system exposed to a host of nameless threats. It's crazy!
If you've got such a package on your machine and you've never really bothered to learn what it does and how it does it, do yourself a favour: spend a little time (that's all it will take, I promise you) to sit down and find out. Then you'll be able to adjust its settings to allow or disallow content for specific websites. Knowledge is power!