Most videos can be viewed with a wide range of browsers.  FLASH 9  is the main video format used.

Many videos are presented in FLASH 9 video format.  It is cross platform and the high band width videos are of good quality.  However, dial-up videos are presented in WMV 9.   Examples of FLASH videos are the videos on Tympanoplasty and Larynx Cancer with a Laryngocele.    Newer videos posted after November 1, 2007 are offered in FLASH 9 only.  Three speeds for FLASH Videos are available for most videos:  1024 Kbps, 512 Kbps, and 256 Kbps.  A high speed connection in needed for all settings. 

Dial-Up Users:  However, this setting results in a very poor quality video and is now infrequently used by many viewers (under 5%).  If a dial-up speed is needed, select this option.  All dial-up speed videos are in WMV 9 and are compatible with the Macintosh.    If the "Macintosh Video WMV 9" button is not present all videos are of an older version and should be compatible.  The Dial-Up video option  should always work.   This setting may be dropped in the future.

Other Video Formats:  Some high resolution videos are published in Windows Media Video 9 VC-1 format.  This format gives a higher quality picture with fast motion and 13% greater compression than with previous Windows Media 9 formats.   However, as of 12/20/2007 there were compatibility issues with this format.   Windows Media Player 11 is fully compatible with this format and comes standard with Windows VISTA.  Windows Media Player 9 will automatically install an update (if you wait about 1 minute) to allow viewing.  Windows Media Player 11 can also be installed on an XP computer.  All videos will play on XP and Vista Operating Systems using Windows Media Player 11.

However, as of 12/20/2007 Windows Media Player 9 for the Macintosh will not play VC-1 Videos.  If the videos in this section are of a VC-1 format, there will be a "Macintosh Video WMV 9" screen button to allow Macintosh users to view the video.  Theses videos will download at 368 Kbps. 

Another format is REAL VIDEO.   This format is available for some videos posted before November 2007.  It is being phased out on our system.

Linux and Ubuntu Systems:  Almost all of the videos will work on Linux (Ubuntu) operating systems .  Use the MPlayer Plug In embedded video player for Mozilla to view the WMV.  A few of the videos are not compatible.  As of 1/18/2008, Ubuntu systems do not automatically upgrade to the latest version of FLASH 9.  To view the major FLASH videos you need to use the button below and manually install Adobe FLash Player Version 9.0.115.0 Version Date 12/3/2007.   As we reprogram the site more compatible videos will be added.    View Linux Compatible Videos