Frequently Asked Questions: OhioLINK Digital Video Center

Video Selection

1. What videos are available?
The videos currently available were purchased by the OhioLINK program from the distributor Films for the Humanities & Sciences. You can view all the titles by browsing the title list or subject list. This collection continues to grow and new titles are added regularly.
2. How were these videos selected?
Most of the videos in this collection were selected by a committee of librarians from various types of OhioLINK member institutions to represent the breadth of user and institutional needs. The collection has also grown thanks to individual OhioLINK member libraries who have purchased videos and statewide licensing rights.
3. Can I request/add a title?
If you would like to request a title, please contact your local library.
4. Can I add a locally produced video to this system?
OhioLINK has mechanisms for storing your videos. Please contact your local library and ask how you can contribute to the OhioLINK Digital Media Center.
5. Will videos from other publishers be added to this system?
OhioLINK is making efforts to add videos from other distributors.
6. Are these videos in the library catalog?
Yes, catalog records for these videos are available in the OhioLINK Library Catalog and your local library catalog. There may be a delay between the time a new video is added and the time the record for that video becomes available.

Finding Videos

1. How do I find a video?
You may browse for videos by subject or by title, or use the quick search feature.
2. How does the quick search work?
Simply type a keyword to search through most fields within a record. Searchable fields include: title, description, subject and date. Searches are not case sensitive, so ISLAM, Islam, and islam are identical searches. You can use 'and' or 'OR' between searches for more control over your search results: e.g. "Islam and women,” "Islam or philosophy."

Viewing and Downloading

1. Will these videos play on a modem?
Yes. The videos can be played on a 56Kb/s modem. The system will automatically deliver lower bit-rate streams to lower bandwidth users. The difference in quality will depend on the complexity of the video content and the modem speed.
2. Can I view and download these videos at home?
Yes. The instructions are the same. If you are not on a campus network you will be prompted to enter your ID information in order to authenticate as a valid OhioLINK user.
3. What is required to play these videos?
Free software from RealNetworks. The current version is called RealOne Player and is available (though perhaps buried) at www.real.com. Many older Real Players should work. For more help installing or using the player please visit http://service.real.com/realone/.
4. Where can I find the free player at www.real.com?
Though subject to change, currently: In the upper-right hand corner of the screen, follow link for "free RealOne Player". In lower-right hand corner of the screen, follow link for "Download the Free RealOne Player". The RealOne Player will start to download onto your system.
5. How do I download a video?
Right-click the download link and select "save target as" (or "save link target as"). This will bring up the save dialog box, which will ask you where you want to save the target and what you want to name it. You may name the video any name you choose but it is best to use '.rm' or '.ram' as the file extension, e.g. myvideo.rm.
6. Can I add links directly to the streaming video file from my own Web page(s)?
No. However, you may link directly to the details page of a particular video. Each record contains a details page that includes a URL for bookmarking or linking. This is the page that contains video metadata and the view and download links. For example, to link to the video "Recorded Sound: The Dream Becomes a Reality," use this URL: http://dmc.ohiolink.edu/media/ffhDetails?oid=1845858.
7. Why do the videos appear dark/light?
Macs and PCs display images (and thus video) at different brightness levels. In an effort to make one video file that is acceptable for both Macs and PC's, a compromise is made. Videos may appear slightly darker on PC's and slightly lighter on Macs.
8. I can view downloaded videos but I cannot view the streaming versions. Instead, I'll get an "Page Cannot Be Displayed" error message. How do I fix this?
There seems to been a change to the way RealPlayer version 10 registers itself with browsers. In order to enable streaming, follow these directions from the Real.com website:
If you are running RealPlayer version 10 you need to make sure that Real-Time Streaming Protocol is enabled. To enable RTSP click on Tools on the RealPlayer menu bar then select Preferences. In the pop up window open the Content category and select Media Types. Click on the Advanced tab and in the Other Media section of the pop up window tick the box alongside Real-Time Streaming Protocol.

Answers for Librarians and Network Administrators

1. Will the system support unlimited simultaneous users?
Yes. OhioLINK has licensed this content to allow unlimited simultaneous users and is committed to maintaining an infrastructure to support unlimited simultaneous use.
2. Can our campus download and store all of these videos on local servers?
No. At this time downloading and storing on your local server is not allowed by our license. However, temporary storing a video on a personal computer, laptop, mini-USB storage device or similar devices is allowed.
3. Are these videos in the library catalog?
Yes, catalog records for these videos are available in the OhioLINK Library Catalog and your local library catalog. There may be a delay between the time a new video is added and the time the record for that video becomes available.
4. What are the computer requirements for viewing these videos?
No special requirements are required other than the video player and a connection to the Internet. The video player is available as free software from RealNetworks. The current version is called 'RealOne Player' and is available (though perhaps buried) at www.real.com.
5. Can I add links directly to the streaming video file from my own Web page(s)?
No. However, you may link directly to the details page of a particular video. Each record contains a details page that includes a URL for bookmarking or linking. This is the page that contains video metadata and the view and download links. For example, to link to the video "Recorded Sound: The Dream Becomes a Reality," use this URL: http://dmc.ohiolink.edu/media/ffhDetails?oid=1845858.

Updated 11/22/05