Help and Tips for Using the iVillage Audio Video Player

When you click on the link, you'll be asked to fill out a form with your name, email address and some answers to questions about your computer.

Fill out the form and click the "Download FREE RealPlayer 8 Basic Beta" button. (Be sure to read the privacy policy for your protection.)

Next, you'll be asked to pick the download option you want. The "RealPlayer Basic Standalone" is the minimum you'll need to watch Real audio videoon iVillage.

Now you need to select a geographic location to download from. Choose a location close to you to make download time faster.

A "File Download" window will appear and ask you if you want to "Save This Program to Disk" or "Run It from Its Current Location." Choose to save this program to disk and hit "OK."

A "Save As" window will appear and ask you where you want to save the program. Choose to save the file to your desktop then click "Save."

Be patient while RealPlayer downloads -- it will take about 10 to 15 minutes. Once it finishes downloading, you're ready to install RealPlayer. First, close any other programs you are running on your computer. Now you should see the RealPlayer icon on your desktop. It's called "rp8-setup.exe". Double-click that icon.

The set-up program is straightforward -- it includes terms and conditions that you must agree to.

You will also be asked where on your computer you want to install RealPlayer (referred to as the "Destination Directory"). The default is in your Program Files folder. This is just fine, so press "OK."

Now hit the "Finish" button and RealPlayer will be installed on your computer. After it is installed, restart your computer.

Now you are ready to go back to the iVillage browser page to play audio videoclip.

Windows Media Player

If you don't have Windows, you can download it now for free.

Next, choose the player you want to download based on what system you have. For example, if you have Windows 95, you would choose the 6.4 version of Windows Media. (Note: Windows Media Player 6.4 is included in Microsoft® Windows® 2000. You do not need to download it. Windows Media Player 7 should NOT be installed on computers running Microsoft® Windows® 95 or Microsoft® Windows NT 4.0!)

After you choose the appropriate player and correct language, click on the button that says, "Download Now."

A "File Download" window will appear and ask you if you want to "Save This Program to Disk" or "Run It from Its Current Location." Choose to save this program to disk and hit "OK."

A "Save As" window will appear and ask you where you want to save the program. Choose to save the file to your desktop then click "Save."

Be patient while Windows Media Player downloads -- it will take about 10 to 15 minutes. Once it finishes downloading, you're ready to install Windows Media Player. First, close any other programs you are running on your computer. Now you should see the Windows Media Player icon on your desktop. It's called something like "WMP.exe".

Double-click that icon.

The set-up program is straightforward -- it includes terms and conditions that you must agree to. Now hit the "Finish" button and Windows Media Player will be installed on your computer.

After it is installed, restart your computer.