In order to play Windows Media files on a Windows system, you must use Windows Media Player. Macintosh users can use Flip4Mac or Windows Media Player for Mac.
Windows Media movies are available in two formats: downloads and streaming.
Downloads
You can download a Windows Media movie by selecting one of the sizes following the "Downloads:" label, above. The following sizes are available:
Small - 480 x 270 frame size. File size: 30 MB
Medium - 480 x 270 frame size. File size: 59 MB
Large - 960 x 540 frame size. File size: 118 MB
Once you click on a size, the file will begin downloading to your computer. Depending on your system configuration and browser, your media player may launch automatically and begin playing the movie.
Downloading is progressive, which means that you can only view that portion of the file that has been downloaded. Unlike streaming, you cannot fast forward or rewind a movie. Once the file is fully downloaded, however, you can move through the movie arbitrarily by moving the progress bar slider on your media player.
If the movie starts and stops playing while you are downloading it, that means that your media player is playing the file faster than your computer can download it. Either wait until the file is fully downloaded, or select a smaller file size.
Click here for more information on how to download a movie from this site.
Streaming
The streaming format is only available for Windows users. If you are on a Macintosh, you will need to use the "Downloads" format instead.
The streaming format is available in two different speeds:
256K - This speed is best for slower connections, such as dial-up connections.
512K - This speed is best for broadband (DSL and cable modem), T1, and other high-speed connections.
Streaming a movie allows you to fast forward, rewind, or move to any point in the movie by using the controls of your media player.
To begin streaming a movie, simply click one of the speeds following the "Streaming:" label, above.
If the movie stops and starts or frequently rebuffers, that means that your connection is not fast enough to support the speed you have chosen. In that case, you can select a slower speed.