How to Stream Video on Windows Media Player 12

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Microsoft engineered Windows Media Player 12 to handle the playback of multimedia files. The program is a convenient tool since it is a part of the Windows software suite. As long as videos are in a compatible format, Windows Media Player 12 opens any video you receive. And since Windows Media Player 12 equips your system with an Internet browser plugin, the application makes it possible to stream any compatible video embedded on a Web page. Although the application's default settings are sufficient for opening locally stored videos, optimize Windows Media Player 12 to stream online videos by increasing buffer time and specifying your connection speed.

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Desktop Video

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Step 1

Launch Windows Media Player 12. The application opens in "Library" view. Click the "File" tab on the program menu and select "Open."

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Step 2

Search for the video in the file selection window. Select the item and click "Open." The media loads in Windows Media Player 12 and begins to stream in separate a "Now Playing" window.

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Step 3

Manage playback of the loaded video with the buttons on the player control bar. Click the "Pause" button to suspend streaming, and click the "Play" button to resume it. Press and hold down the "Skip Ahead" and "Skip Back" button to fast-forward and rewind the track. Click on a specific point in the clip timeline to access a specific part of the footage.

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Step 4

Regulate the volume of the video soundtrack by dragging the marker on the speaker slidebar.

Step 5

Expand the viewing dimensions of the "Now Playing" window by clicking the "View in Full Screen" button. Press the "Esc" to return to the original viewing dimensions.

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Step 6

Click the "Stop" button on the player control bar to cease playback of the loaded video. Select the "Go to Libray" tab to return to the "Library" view.

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Step 7

Click the "File" tab on the program menu and select "Exit" to close Windows Media Player 12.

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Online Video

Step 1

Launch Windows Media Player 12. The application opens in "Library" view. Click the "Tools" tab on the program menu and select "Options..."

Step 2

Click the "Performance" tab on the "Options" pop-up window. Open the "Choose Connection Speed" drop-down menu and select the Internet connection that corresponds to your system. Check the "Buffer" box and enter a value (in seconds) to increase the buffering time. Click "OK."

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Step 3

Click the "File" tab on the program menu and select "Exit" to close Windows Media Player 12.

Step 4

Launch your Internet browser and visit a Web page with a streaming video that requires Windows Media Player for playback. Manage playback of the loaded video with the buttons on the player control bar.

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