View Streaming Video and Audio using QuickTime

Class-related media files may be made available through LATTE and the Library & Technology Services Quicktime Streaming Server. Some of the most popular are audio files that accompany foreign language text books. All public computers at Brandeis are configured with Quicktime, so you will always be able to view these files.

When you choose a file to listen to, a new browser window should open in which a small Quicktime Player will begin "buffering" and then playing the file. If this doesn't happen, the following troubleshooting list should help you figure out the problem:

Troubleshooting LATTE's QuickTime Videos
and Audio Files

Is QuickTime Player installed on your computer?
If it is not, or if you have an older version, point your browser to http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ to download the latest version of QuickTime Player. The QuickTime Player is free.

Is the audio turned on?
The sound may be turned off in your computer's settings, or your external speakers may be off. In Windows, double-click the speaker icon in the system tray to set the volume. On a Mac, go to the Apple menu and select Control Panel > Monitors and Sound.

Have you selected the correct connection speed in Quicktime player?
Check to make sure you have set the correct connection speed for Quicktime Player. Open the Quicktime Player and click Edit > Preferences > Quicktime preferences > Connection Speed. Select the speed that matches your internet connection.

Is your Quicktime browser plug-in installed?
To view and hear Quicktime files in your browser, the Quicktime browser plug-in must be installed. You can check to see if this is the case by going to: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/qtcheck. If the Quicktime logo is visible at the bottom of the page, the plug-in is properly installed.

Are you behind a firewall?
Check to see that you can access any streaming movie by opening the Quicktime Player and clicking Edit > Preferences > Quicktime preferences > Streaming transport. Click the Auto Configure button. Quicktime should confirm that it can use UDP/RTSP port 554. If it switches to http:// port 80, then you are most likely behind a firewall, which likely means that a firewall is configured to block Quicktime streaming files.

The firewall issue is a tricky one. If you have a cable/DSL modem and a router with NAT firewall:

  1. Open the Web-based interface for the router
  2. Select Advanced and choose "Port forwarding" (wording may differ for your router)
  3. Open port 554 for RTSP/TCP data
  4. Open ports 6970 through 6999 (inclusive) for RTP/UDP data.

Consult your router's documentation for specific instructions on configuring port forwarding.

Do you get an "Error 404" message?

Sometimes when students using Quicktime Player for the first time on-campus an "Error 404" message appears. To fix it, one needs to change a preference within Quicktime Player, using these steps:

  1. Open Quicktime
  2. Go to Edit > Preferences > Quicktime Preferences
  3. In the dropdown menu, select "Streaming Transport"
  4. Be sure to select "Use UDP"
  5. Click "Auto Configure." 6. Restart Quicktime."

What should you do next?

If you've followed all the steps above and are still unable to receive Quicktime streaming files, you should contact the staff at the LATTE Help Desk for further assistance: call 781-736-5883 or e-mail latte@brandeis.edu.