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QuickTime automatically detects your Internet connection speed so that you get the highest-quality QuickTime content that your Internet connection can support. If movies you’re watching on the Internet don’t play properly, however, it may help to change the connection speed setting.

To change the connection speed setting in Mac OS X, open QuickTime Preferences and click Streaming. In Windows, open QuickTime Preferences and choose Connection Speed.

QuickTime tries to play versions of the movie authored to match the connection speed you choose. If you choose a speed slower than your actual connection speed, the resulting movie may be smaller in size and lower in quality than your connection can actually support.

If you choose a speed faster than your actual connection, QuickTime playback may stutter or appear jerky because it is sending more data than your connection can support.

If you’re unsure of your connection speed, check with your Internet service provider (ISP).

If you change your connection speed setting and later want to make QuickTime automatically detect your speed again, choose Automatic from the Streaming Speed pop-up menu (in Mac OS X).

To set the Internet connection speed in Windows, choose Edit > Preferences > QuickTime Preferences, and then follow the directions above.

Instant-On

QuickTime includes Instant-On, a technology that dramatically reduces buffer (wait) time when you view streamed video. Instant-On provides an instantaneous viewing experience; you can navigate quickly through video as if it were on your hard disk.

To experience Instant-On, you must have a broadband connection. The responsiveness of Instant-On is affected by available bandwidth and the size, or data rate, of the content. It can also be affected by the codec used to compress the streaming video.

Instant-On is on by default. If you experience problems with streamed video, you can change the wait time (drag the Play slider) or turn off Instant-On (open QuickTime Preferences and click Streaming).

Viewing Streamed Files Behind a Firewall

QuickTime streaming chooses the best protocol (a method of communicating via the Internet) for your needs. Typically, QuickTime streaming uses Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) to ensure the best performance. If your network connection is protected by a firewall, you may want to use the HTTP protocol instead.

Chapter 1 Using QuickTime Player

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Apple 7.2 manual Instant-On, Viewing Streamed Files Behind a Firewall