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Frequently Asked Questions about CNN Video

Thank you for your interest in CNN.com's video service. CNN.com is committed to providing users with consistent, high-quality video. If you are having issues with videos on CNN.com, please read the answers to frequently asked questions below. If your question is not answered here, send us your feedback on editorial questions or technical issues.


TECHNICAL

What are the minimum computer specifications required to watch CNN.com Video?

What are the bandwidth requirements to view CNN.com Video?
CNN.com Video requires a high-speed Internet connection for optimal user experience. Broadband connections should be at least 500 Kbps to view CNN.com video . Please note that DSL light and wireless connections may experience slower loading if bandwidth is unavailable for use. CNN does not recommend using dial-up or other low bandwidth connections to access video content.

Do I need Flash player or plug-in installed?
Yes, the Flash plug-in/player needs to be installed to view CNN.com video on demand. If Flash is not detected on you computer ,you will be prompted to install Flash. Once installed, you can enjoy viewing our video on demand archives.

Why do video clips sometimes stop or pause?
The most common cause of a pause or stop is Internet traffic congestion. There is a limit to the amount of information able to pass through your Internet connection, and if you exceed this, the player will "buffer" the data until it can pass. If this problem persists, try closing the player, and then re-launch it from any video link on CNN.com.

What about firewalls?
Some corporate networks and Internet Service Providers block video transmissions by use of a Firewall. If you cannot see video clips (even though your system meets the system requirements noted above), you may want to contact your Internet Service Provider or network administrator to see whether a security firewall is blocking video transmission

My audio is of poor quality or unavailable. How can I fix this?
Poor audio can result from multiple sources. Internet traffic congestion is the most common cause of pauses or stops, though high CPU usage on your computer or low speed connections can also result in similar issues. If the audio problem appears to be a result of Internet traffic congestion, try closing the player, and then re-launch it from any video link on CNN.com. If high CPU usage is causing interruptions to audio, try closing any programs that you are not using and re-launching the player. Finally, check to ensure that your connection is fast enough to support CNN Video by reviewing our Bandwidth Requirements (link to bandwidth FAQ section).

Receiving no audio transmission is generally an indicator that your speakers or system volume have been muted. Make sure that your audio is enabled.

I can open the player, but cannot see any video.
Your Internet Service Provider could be experiencing problems with its servers. If you cannot view other pages on the Internet, and if the problem persists, you should contact your Internet Service Provider for assistance. If you work within a secure network or behind a firewall, please review the FAQs on Internet Firewalls to ensure that either is not causing the issue.

However, if you can access the player on another machine or other people can view it, it may be a problem with your browser cache.

To clear your browser cache on a Microsoft Windows PC:

In Microsoft Internet Explorer:
• Click on Tools, then choose Internet Options.
• Click the General tab.
• Click the Delete Files button.
• On the Delete Files dialogue box click the OK button. Selecting "Delete all offline content" is optional.
• To close the Internet Options box, click OK (it may take a minute or more to clear the cache.)

In Netscape Navigator:
• Click on Tools, then choose Internet Options.
• Click the General tab.
• Click the Delete Files button.
• On the Delete Files dialogue box click the OK button. Selecting "Delete all offline content" is optional.
• To close the Internet Options box, click OK (it may take a minute or more to clear the cache.)

In Netscape Navigator 7:
• Choose Preferences from the Edit menu.
• Double click on the category Advanced, then select Cache.
• Click the Clear Cache button, then select OK to close.

In Firefox/Netscape Navigator 8:
• Choose Options from the Tools menu.
• Click the Privacy icon, then select Cache.
• To close the Options window click OK.

To clear your browser cache on a Mac:

In Safari:
• Choose Empty Cache from the Safari menu, then click Empty.

In Firefox:
• Choose Preferences from the Firefox menu, then select the privacy icon.
• Click the Clear button within the Cache section.
• Click OK to exit.

If this does not resolve your issue, please log a technical support request through our feedback form.

How do I enlarge the player to full screen mode?
Currently, full screen mode is not available for CNN video on demand.

CONTENT:

Why do the videos contain commercials?
By running commercials in the video, CNN.com is able to offer the consistently high quality and quantity of online video programming at no cost to our users.

What videos are available on CNN.com?
CNN.com provides video clips in 14 different subject areas from world events to offbeat items. You'll find many new video clips each day.

What happened to CNN Pipeline?
As of July 2, 2007, CNN Pipeline, the subscription based video service has been replaced with CNN.com Live Video. CNN.com Live Video is a free service that features live streaming content and video on demand.