The need for speed: At the present moment video dumbed down for streaming over a typical modem connection sucks. So called 56k modems sometimes cannot sustain a true 24k connection because of ISP problems. Thus, if you are using a modem stay away from our streaming video content. If you have doubts about your connection speed, the video pages provide a convenient button (like the one below) that will test your connection and report back to you the actual speed of your connection.
While we use Real Server 8.0 so that bandwidth can be used with maximal efficiency, our video won't work properly with a typical modem connection, even one that operates at a true 56k. Cable modems, DSL, ISDN, university connections, and any other connection that can sustain 80 kilobits per second are fine. Even then, you must set Real Player's connection speed at 80 kbits/sec or faster in the "Preferences" menu in some versions of Real Player.
Compounding these problems, the server for newCrit is housed in a building that sometimes has more network use than the equipment in it can accomodate. When this happens, streaming video from our end can be served as low as 80k, the minimum speed for viewing video. These bottlenecks usually clear up in a day or so on our side. If you get lots of bandwidth indicated from the speed test, but view video at only 80k, the problem is likely at our end, not yours. Fortunately, Real Player 8 and later all negotiate with the video server to determine the best speed for both sides of the transfer.
Audio is served at 16k and is never a problem on our end. Almost all modems can maintain this speed.
Try the speed test below. If you get 80 kbits/sec or better, you should be able to view our video.
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