HOW TO CHECK IF YOU'RE USING OPTIMAL NETWORK CONFIGURATION

Everything must be done on the computer from which you are broadcasting.)

• In order to broadcast/watch a show smoothly, make sure you have at least 400Kbits/s of available upload/download bandwidth (upload for broadcasting, download for viewing).
• Make sure you are not using any bandwidth consuming applications (i.e eMule, Torrent or other internet audio/video applications).
• In order to check your connection statistics on www.blogTV.com, use the following link:http://www.blogtv.com/techsupport.asp

WHAT TO DO IF THE YELLOW TRIANGLE ICON WITH BLACK EXCLAMATION POINT APPEARS ON MY VIDEO SCREEN

• Restart and begin broadcasting again.
• Go to Start >> Run then type the following command: cmd
• Use the following command in command prompt: netstat –na
• Try looking for a line where one of these IPs are shown: 64.124.150.110 – 120 in the middle column. Exactly as seen in the picture below, followed by the number :80

• This means that while you are connected to blogTV's video servers, you are not using optimal network configuration.
• If you see the following line instead of the one circled above, it means that you are using the correct configuration.

• If you see 80 instead of 1935, then there is a connection problem. The broadcast will not run to its fullest potential and it will cause lag (if you're a broadcaster, this can cause lag to all of your viewers. If you're a viewer, it will only LAG for you personally)
• In order to resolve this issue follow these steps:

1. Clean your temporary internet files: For Internet Explorer go to: Tools >> Delete browsing history, press "Delete Files…" in the Temporary internet files section. For Firefox go to: Tools >> Clear private data, mark "Cache" and click clear private data now.
2. Open http://www.blogtv.com/techsupport.asp and run the test again to check if port 1935 has passed.
3. Alternatively, you can run the command prompt again and type the following command: telnet fms180.blogtv.com 1935 (this will check if your firewall will allow your computer to connect to blogTV's servers using port 1935). * NOTE: Most domestic networks allow all outbound connections by default. Corporate networks usually block it.
4. Now that you have done it all, try broadcasting again. If you still cannot broadcast properly please email support@blogtv.com with details.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

WHAT KIND OF HARDWARE DO I NEED TO BROADCAST SUCCESSFULLY?

• The site will work with Pentium 3/AMD K7 based computers and up (Pentium 4/Athlon XP and up are highly recommended). There's no need with any fancy video cards, a standard video adapter with 64MB and up is sufficient.

WHAT KIND OF CAMERA SHOULD I USE TO BROADCAST SUCCESSFULLY WITH?

• Every webcam that supports 640x320 resolution and 25fps should suffice when broadcasting as long as you remember to illuminate the objects you are focusing on.
• Make sure you have a webcam with a focusing mechanism, and don't forget to focus on the object before you start shooting.
• You may also use a DV camera.

WHAT KIND OF SOFTWARE DO I NEED TO BROADCAST SUCCESSFULLY?

• blogTV is designed to work with Firefox Mozilla 1.5/Internet Explorer 6.0 and up. For MacOS and Linux users, using Firefox Mozilla is recommended.

HOW FAST DOES MY INTERNET CONNECTION NEED TO BE TO BROADCAST?

• The maximum quality of a broadcast on blogTV requires a 600Kb/s upload internet connection. The maximum bandwidth usage of a downstream is approximately 1000Kb/s. That's why we recommend using a high broadband internet connection with at least 400Kb/s upstream, (512Kb/s and up recommended) for broadcasters and at least 1.5Mb/s download for viewers.

HOW CAN I PRODUCE AN OVERALL HIGH QUALITY BROADCAST?

• Things such as lighting, angles, background, sound with and without a co-host, etc., can help improve the quality of the broadcast tremendously.

HOW DO I GET THE BEST QUALITY PICTURE DURING A BROADCAST?

• Always focus on yourself or the subject you are broadcasting.
• Creating a setting or an interesting background can enhance your show.
• Try to look straight into the camera for your viewers. A continuing side angle shot is usually not as interesting to watch.

HOW DO I GET THE BEST QUALITY SOUND DURING A BROADCAST?

• After clicking "Start Broadcasting," you will see an Adobe flash settings box. In this box, adjust the appropriate volume level with the slider and check the "reduce echo" box. (If you need to go back to your settings, you can always right-click in your broadcasting screen and that will pull up the settings box again.)
• Make sure you are not too loud or too soft for your viewers.
• If you are co-hosting a broadcast, use headphones to correct any possible echo problems.

HOW DO I GET THE BEST QUALITY LIGHTING DURING A BROADCAST?

• Always try and light your show evenly (unless you’re trying to evoke a certain moodiness). If you have natural sunlight, it’s best to face it. If you’re using a lamp, a good trick is to diffuse the light by pointing it towards a white wall behind you.

HOW CAN I BROADCAST ON THE GO?

• In order to broadcast on the go you will need a laptop or a blogTV app for your mobile phone and an internet connection.
• There are 2 options to get an internet connection when on the go:
1) Use a mobile PCMCIA or PCMCIA Express card that connects to the mobile carrier. We have heard good things about Verizon EvDO cards. Once there will be UMTS (3G) and HSDPA (3.5G) coverage there will be a lot more cards out there for you to use.
2) Connect to WiFi hotspots. There are several hotspots that offer free internet when you are on the go. Please verify when using such hotspots that the upload speed is at least 350Kb/sec. You can test your speed using sites such as: Speedtest.net