Installation of RealPlayer 8 Basic Minimum

Real Media provides an excellent streaming video format, with players and many tools available free for download from their site. They pay for this service in no small part through aggressive advertising delivered through their player. To avoid such excesses and other problems, follow the instructions below (Windows only - other platforms, please go to the Real Media Website for your player). You will need to take notes or print these, since you cannot have Internet Explorer open when you run your installaion.

1) Uninstall any previous Real installation	If you came here because your Real installation is giving errors, an uninstall is advisable. Go to "Start/Settings/Control Panel," and choose "Add/Remove Programs. Find Real in the list, and click "Uninstall."
2) Download the installation file	Right-click the Real icon at left. Select "Save target as..." In the window that pops up, browse to a location on your local drive and create a directory for the file (suggestion: C:\Program Files\Real\). After clicking "OK," the file should start to download.
3) Begin the installation	Using "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer," double-click the installation file wherever you placed it. Click "Next" and "Agree" when prompted. Below find suggestions for several of the installation screens you will be asked to click on.
Setup options	Most of these additions are not necessary, though a few may be desirable.
Connection Speed	If you are installing in the FCPS system: Elementary and Middle Schools: 256Kbps. High School: T1. You can adjust this later if your video doesn't stream well.
Default Player	You want to UN-check this box. Leaving this box checked means RealPlayer will take over a wide range of media types that Windows would otherwise handle. Since Windows integrates its players into its applications, this is not a good idea.
"Personalize" options	Make sure you scroll this window . . . the checked services are all hidden. You, of course, can use Real's free services, but if you wish to just use the RealPlayer and want to avoid any intrusiveness on the part of Real.Com, un-check all these services. Same for Real's "Tips and Tricks" and "Special Offers."
"Internet Settings"	Many users are unwilling to allow any automatic uploading of data by plug-ins. If you are one of these, you'll want to un-check all of these settings. However, "Cookies" is a harmless and useful service, and checking the "Send quality of service data to providers" means that RealPlayer will automatically select the optimum quality from Real multi-streams. All settings, of course, can be changed later. When you selections and installation are complete, Real will advertise themselves briefly through its launched window, after which you may close it and re-start your browser.
RealPlayer Launches	After finishing the install, RealPlayer will launch. You can turn off a lot of the advertising windows by un-checking the "Content Panel" and "Real.Com Media Bar."