TVU networks – Frequently Asked Questions
About the TVU service
What is TVU networks?
How does the TVU networks service work?
When will I be able to see my favorite channel on TVU networks?
Is TVU networks free?
Is TVU networks safe?
About watching TVU
What do I need to be able to watch TVU networks?
How do I play a channel?
Why does it take time to start up a new channel?
Why didn't the channel I selected come up?
Why can't I find the channel I want?
Do I need to create an account to watch TVU?
How do subscriptions work?
About the TVUPlayer application
What if I only want to see the video, without the channel list?
What does the Signal indicator do?
What does the Bandwidth indicator do?
What's that window on the right side?
Web site questions
Why can't I see all the channels listed in the TV Guide on the TVU service?
What if I'm using the Firefox browser?
About the TVU networks service
What is TVU networks?
TVU networks has built a new broadband Internet television service which broadcasters from around the world can use to broadcast live TV to a global audience. We show you channels you can't find on your local cable or satellite system, such as news and sports from around the world. TVU allows anyone to be a broadcaster (all you need is a PC and a broadband connection) so people are constantly creating new channels.
How does TVU networks work?
TVU networks uses real-time packet replication, which is very much like P2P file sharing, except that the video is brought to you in real time. Every additional viewer watching a channel helps make the network stronger and helps improve the signal of all the other viewers watching the same channel.
When will I be able to see my favorite channel on TVU networks?
The channels we have available are displayed in the TVU Player application. Our broadcasters are constantly adding new channels, so be sure to check back periodically.
Is TVU networks free?
The TVU networks service is free to both viewers and broadcasters. We enable broadcasters to create premium channels, which are available through monthly subscriptions, but the basic service will always be free.
Is TVU networks safe?
TVU networks is 100% safe. Unlike almost any other Internet application, the TVU networks service doesn't write any data to your hard disk, other than the TVU player itself and a few necessary configuration files. This makes it almost impossible for virus, worms, and the like to spread via the TVU networks service.
About watching TVU
What do I need to be able to watch TVU networks?
To watch TVU, you need a PC running Windows (2000, XP, or Vista), and a broadband Internet connection with a minimum bandwidth of 300kbps, such as DSL or cable modem. You'll also need our free downloadable TVUPlayer application, available here. Alternately, you can watch our featured channels in your web browser on the Channels page. Finally, you'll also need Microsoft's Media Player, version 9 or above (version 10 is recommended). This component ships with Windows, so you'll usually have it already.
How do I play a channel?
The TVU Player starts up in the Channel Guide. The channels that are broadcasting right now are listed in the channel list on the left side of the screen. If you click on the name of a channel, it will start playing after a brief delay (typically 5-30 seconds).
Why does it take time to start up a new channel?
When you switch to a new channel, the TVU Player immediately starts filling up a buffer with data from that channel. When the buffer is ready, the channel starts playing – the amount of time it takes is dependent on how much bandwidth you have and who else is watching. After you start up the channel, watch the status line below the video, which will tell you how fast the buffer is filling up, and the Signal indicator, which gives you more "bars" as the buffer fills up.
Why didn't the channel I selected come up?
Before you start up a channel, look at the Signal indicator ("cellphone" bars) in the blue channel information window. The number of bars gives you an idea of what kind of reception you're likely to get on that channel. If a channel doesn't come up, it's usually because there isn't enough bandwidth available for the channel (from the broadcaster, from you, and from the other viewers). The TVU networks service is a new frontier, and people are constantly trying experiments; not all of them work out.
Why can't I find the channel I want?
All the channels that you can watch will show up in the Channel Guide in the TVUPlayer; the Channels page on our web site shows a limited set of "featured" channels. If you can't find the channel you want in the TVUPlayer, it could be that the channel isn't available on TVU (note that not all channels in the TV Guide are actually available), or that the channel isn't broadcasting on TVU right now, or that the channel is regionally blocked (TVU allows broadcasters to specify, for example, that their channel should only be available in Singapore, or that it should be available everywhere except the United States).
Do I need to create an account to watch TVU?
No, you don't. You'll need an account to be able to post in our forums and message boards. Creating an account will also enable us to offer you better service and more customization options.
How do subscriptions work?
Most TVU channels are free; a small number are available on via monthly subscriptions, payable by credit cards. The subscriber channels are grayed out in the TVUPlayer's Channel Guide. Learn more about subscriber channels here.
About the TVUPlayer application
What if I only want to see the video, without the channel list?
To see just the video, push the button labeled "Full View". This puts you into a mode that shows only the video. You can use this mode to tuck the TV screen away in a corner of your monitor, or you can use the Windows maximize button in the top right of the screen to make the video fill your entire screen.
What does the Signal indicator do?
When you "mouse over" a channel in the Channel Guide, the Signal indicator tells you how well the channel is coming over the TVU network. 1-2 bars means that a channel may not come up at all; 3 bars means it probably will come up, but it may be a bit slow and choppy; 4-5 bars means you should have a quick startup and a good viewing experience. When you're starting up a channel, you can use the Signal bars as a progress indicator; more bars means the buffer is filling up and the channel still start soon.
What does the Bandwidth indicator do?
The Bandwidth indicator shows you the signal bandwidth of the channel, expressed in kilobits per second (kbps); as long as you and other TVU viewers can get the signal, a higher bandwidth means a better picture. A typical TVU channel has a bandwidth of 280-400; channels with bandwidth under than will usually be of lower quality. Channels with a bandwidth of 400-550 will be high-quality. Channels with bandwidth over 550 can work well, but only if the broadcaster and the viewers have very high-speed Internet connections.
What's that window on the right side?
We call that the "pull-out" window. You can use it to see the Message Board for the channel you're watching, or the TV Guide. You can open and close the pull-out window by clicking on the blue triangle in the right side of the TVUPlayer's border.
Web site questions
Why can't I see all the channels listed in the TV Guide on the TVU service?
We're trying to build up a global TV guide featuring all the world's channels, whether they're broadcasting on TVU or not. So not every channel in the TV Guide is available on TVU.
What if I'm using the Firefox browser?
To watch TV in the Channels page using the Firefox browser, use this add-on from Mozilla, which will enable you to open an IE window within Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1419
Thanks for watching TVU networks!
The TVU networks team
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