RealPlayer 11 Best-Practice Settings
Make sure your RealPlayer is up-to-date
You can launch your RealPlayer program from the Start Menu by going to
Start > All Programs > Real > RealPlayer
(if you are using a Windows operating system).
You can download the newest version of the player for free from Real Network's website at http://www.real.com/freeplayer/?rppr=edu
You should also periodically check for updates to your player via Tools > Check for Update. You should do this even after a new install since there may be added functionality and updates since the installer was deployed. Once the available updates window opens. We recommend clicking Select All to ensure you receive all available updates and then click Install.
Set your connection speed within RealPlayer
Open the Bandwidth settings window via Tools > Preferences > Connection. Click Test Connection; this will test the available bandwidth for your connection and automatically set the appropriate speeds for Normal and Maximum. Having these set to inappropriate speeds will cause poor performance and audio/video quality.
Changing Some Quality Settings
Go to Tools --> Preferences. Click on the Hardware link on the side.
Under Playback Performance, adjust the slider closer to "Lowest CPU usage" and away from "Best quality (recommended)". Under Video Card Compatability, move the slider towards "Most reliable" and away from "Best performance".
RealPlayer Extended Functionality
Download and install the DRM plug-in
Digital Rights Management allows for restrictions to be implaced on media file usage, regulating access. DRM is used most commonly to comply with copyright stipluations. This supports the DRM solution used with the Patron Initiated Reservation (PIR) website for the digital media library. This is required to watch any secured RealMedia clips.
The DRM Plug-In for RealPlayer is availble at http://smilparse.real.com/showcase/realone/starz/drm/RNBA.rmp
Enable captions
Captions are text transcripts of a clip's audio provided for those that need hearing assistance.
Open the Content settings window via Tools > Preferences > Content. Check the box beside Use supplemental text captioning when available. This will dispaly any captions that are included in the clip.
Disable RealPlayer's Media Browser
RealPlayer's Media Browser functionality displays various information about entertainment venues and frequently will automatically play media clips to supplement the information displayed in the Media Browser pane.
Open the General settings window via Tools > Preferences > General. Select Now Playing from the On startup display drop-down menu.
Thank you to the Ohio State University Office of Information Technology for information displayed on this page.