What is a "streaming" preview?
Will this cost me anything?
Test a Video Clip
I'm a Netscape user, is there anything I need to know?
I can't see all of the registration window. What do I do?
My company says we can only use NETSCAPE™. What can I do?
Is there anything being installed on my computer my company wouldn't like?
What does 80K, 150K, 300K mean?
What does "firewall" mean?
What's a "cookie" and why do you use them?
I have installed the components and can see the Windows Media™ Player,
but still the program will not play. What should I do?
Why does it take a minute or two for the program to begin playing?
Why is the image distorted when there is motion? Do the Coastal video tapes look like that?

What is a "streaming" preview?

Coastal has made digital copies of many of its video tapes to give you the opportunity to preview them online. These are full-length, unedited versions, just like the video tapes. A "streaming" file allows you to watch it without waiting for the program to fully download. The program is not being stored on your computer, just sent to you for viewing.
Are there any terms & conditions I should know about, and what about copyright issues??
We have posted our Terms & Conditions online for viewing, and our Copyright Information can be found there as well.
What do I need to view streaming previews?
To view our streaming previews you'll need Windows Media™ Player software, Internet Explorer™ (Netscape™ users see below) with Cookies enabled, and a broadband connection (cable modem, DSL or corporate network.)

***IF YOU ARE CONNECTING VIA A DIAL-UP SERVICE [aol, juno, etc.] you will NOT be able to see Coastal's online video previews. Both programs are free and easy to install - see below.

^top


Will this cost me anything?

No. The Windows Media™ Player software and Internet Explorer™ are both free, and there is no charge for viewing our previews!

How do I get Internet Explorer™?

To download Internet Explorer™ click here and follow the installation instructions

How do I get Windows Media™ Player?
UPDATE:
Before you try to install the player, try clicking on a test stream first - you may have the player already. If you cannot see the clip, please click here

^top

Test a Video Clip
Click link to Check Your Setup**
For TEST - NO Registration Required
May Take A Few Minutes
Only Watch Until file plays
" **Installing Codecs

If you are asked to INSTALL A CODEC, select YES/OK
We recommend that you currently not upgrade to the version 9 (Series 9) of Windows Media™ Player if you are on Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Users have reported problems with audio (and/or video) due to the Windows Media™ Player's inability to download the proper audio (and/or video) codec when in a browser window. If you have Windows Media™ Player 7.x or 8.x you should be OK to preview - you do not need to upgrade. The link provided below is to the general Windows Media™ Player download page. It will give you the option to download and install the Windows Media™ Series 9 Player.

To download and install the Windows Media™ Player using Internet Explorer™ click here.

For Netscape users who are running version 4.x or older, please download and install the Windows Media™ Player Plug-In for Netscape:click here.

Scroll down to the option for the "Windows Media™ Player Plug-In for Netscape"
Download and install the plug-in as directed. You may need assistance from your IT staff.

^top

I'm a Netscape user, is there anything I need to know?
Coastal strives to provide the highest quality experience for all our visitors. However, currently over 80% of our visitors use Internet Explorer. Based on this information, we have optimized our site for Internet Explorer, while trying to maintain functionality for our Netscape users where ever possible. At the moment we are aware of a few concerns our Netscape users have. Most of these have to do with the ability to register for our online video previews (a one-time process) but does not affect the video previews themselves.

The following information applies to ONLINE PREVIEWS only. If you have any other problems using Netscape, please email the webmaster.

^top

I can't see all of the registration window. What do I do?
If you cannot see the entire registration window, and you do not have a scroll bar to move down the registration page, you are most likely using NETSCAPE™ as your browser. See the next question for solutions to this problem.

^top

My company says we can only use NETSCAPE™. What can I do?
If you are using certain versions of Netscape™ you may have difficulty registering and navigating the streaming previews because of a well documented bug in earlier versions of Netscape™. In light of this bug and our traffic tendancies we have optimized this process for Internet Explorer™. Please upgrade to Netscape 7.x to correct this problem.

^top

Is there anything being installed on my computer my company wouldn't like?
The streaming previews do not install any information on your computer. The information will cache temporarily, but you will not be taking up space on your hard drive.

^top

What does 80K, 150K, 300K mean?
These numbers represent the file sizes of the streams, which impacts the quality of the image. The higher the number, the better the image quality, but the larger the file. Even though the previews are not being stored on your hard drive, the larger file sizes mean you'll need higher speeds of Internet access to be able to view them.

^top

What does "firewall" mean?
If you are accessing our site from a company network, you are passing through your company firewall. A firewall is a security measure, much like a moat around a fort, designed to keep potentially damaging information away from your network. A firewall also serves to control what people inside the network are able to access on the outside.

If you are having difficulty viewing our streams, or even downloading the necessary tools, we suggest you speak with your IT department. Coastal will not be able to help you resolve such problems.

^top

What's a "cookie" and why do you use them?
" Cookies" refers to a small file that web sites routinely "install" on the computers of people who visit their sites. They do so to be able to recognize a returning visitor.
Coastal utilizes "cookies" to recognize you when you visit to avoid asking you to "login" each time you return. While you are welcome to login and not rely on cookies, you may experience difficulties (or even be unable to register) with our online streaming previews.
NOTE: This process relies on "cookies" to keep track of visitors. All we do is track your email address so that when you return to coastal.com you won't have to register again, providing you've enabled cookies. We do nothing else with your data and do not sell, rent, or give any data to anyone.
If you do NOT (or WILL not) have cookies enabled, you may be unable to preview successfully. However, all other aspects of our website should function properly.

^top

I have installed the components and can see the Windows Media™ Player, but still the program will not play. What should I do?

If you can see the Windows Media™ Player, but the program will not load, there are a few likely causes
...network congestion is preventing the file from arriving. Our best solution is to ask you to try again later.

...you are trying to access the file from a dial-up modem. It is unlikely you'll be able to see our previews from a dial-up account.

...your company FIREWALL will not allow you to receive a file from outside your network. We suggest you contact your IT department. Coastal will not be able to help you resolve such a problem directly.

...an incompatibility issue with other software on your computer. Occasionally other software can interfere with Windows Media's ability to play files properly.
IN SOME CASES this MAY be fixed by upgrading to the latest version of Windows Media Player (if possible).

We only recommend this ONCE YOU HAVE TRIED THE PROCEDURES IN THE HELP DOCUMENTATION (Microsoft Windows format). Otherwise, we suggest contacting your IT department for further help.

I have the most up-to-date player, but when I view online previews I get no audio
(OR VIDEO). NEW

We have been getting reports of the Windows Media™ Player version 9 (9 Series) having problems with playing the audio portion of our streams. In the vast majority of these cases the video plays, but the audio does not play. Or there is no VIDEO.

This is due to the player mis-identifying or unsuccesfully downloading the codec used during the encoding process. If you can uninstall version 9 and revert to the previous version for your operating system please do so (8 for Windows XP, 6.4 for Windows NT/95, 7.1 for all other versions of Windows). If you are unable, or unwilling to do this, please try contacting Microsoft for support in this area.

PLEASE REFER TO THE PROCEDURES IN COASTAL'S HELP DOCUMENTATION (Microsoft Windows format). Otherwise, we suggest contacting your IT department for further help.

^top

Why does it take a minute or two for the program to begin playing?

You may be familiar with "downloading" a file. If you are, you realize that it can take several minutes to a few hours to actually download. The beauty of streaming is that the file is sent to your computer much like it is being downloaded, but as soon as enough of the file is ready, it will begin playing for you. So, the minute or two it takes to begin playing is just the process of getting the file to your machine.

Why do the programs start and stop at times once they've begun playing?
On faster connections, such as a T1 line or cable modem, such stopping and starting is minimized. If a stream starts playing and then stops or sounds choppy, it simply means the stream is having difficulty getting through to your machine. Be patient and you will see the complete program. When playback seems to pause, you are not missing any content.

^top

Why is the image distorted when there is motion? Do the Coastal video tapes look like that?

NO! The Coastal tapes do not look like a streaming file! Our tapes are of the highest quality and are guaranteed. The reason a stream looks grainy or jerky at times is due to the nature of the video compression technology used for streaming.
I've tried everything I know -- please help!

Download Coastal's Online Preview help documentation (Microsoft Windows format) and coordinate with your IT staff if needed.

*** If you ARE in a purchase mode,

you MAY wish to request Free, VHS previews

while we provide assistance with online previews.

^top