Help with Macintosh and the New Silverlight Player
We are happy to address your questions, but first, please review the following list of common problems.
Do you have Silverlight properly installed?
Go to Microsoft's Web Site to download Silverlight, then follow the installation instructions provided. If you need help with installation of Silverlight, go to Microsoft's Silverlight installation help page.
How do I know if I need to install Silverlight?
You may have already installed Silverlight for other applications. If you need to install Silverlight, you will see the image on the left when you click on the broadcaster's Listen-Live link.
If you already have Silverlight installed, you should see a player similar to the image on the right.
System RequirementsMacintosh Computer with Power PC Processor
Macintosh Computer with Intel Processor
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Does the player load but does not play audio?
This usually means that the player is ready to play the stream but it is not receiving one. Causes for are that the stream is actually down at the station, or something on your network or computer is blocking the stream.
If none of these suggestions work for you, please let us know by filling out a Trouble Report including the stations call letters.
Things to check:
IN YOUR BROWSER:
SECURITY SETTINGS: Your browser should be set to medium or less for streaming. If you need to change your security settings, restart your computer completely before trying again.
POP-UP BLOCKERS: Pop-up blockers can prevent our latest player from opening properly. If you have pop-up blockers on your system, you can temporarily disable them by holding down the "Ctrl" key when clicking the "Listen Live" button. This is a good quick way to test if it is the pop-up blocker that is blocking the stream.
You can also set the pop-up blocker to allow our player to be launched (without affecting its ability to block other pop-ups) by allowing surfernetwork.com.
IN YOUR NETWORK, FIREWALL, or ANTIVIRUS:
CORPORATE/NETWORK FIREWALLS and/or POLICIES:
If you are listening in an office, is there a firewall, or a proxy server in place that blocks streaming media? Go to Microsoft's general help page look for the firewall and proxy server information.
If you are on a network where the network administrator could have blocked streaming, or restricted the bandwidth available for streaming, please contact them.
PERSONAL FIREWALL and/or ANTI-VIRUS: Some anti-virus and/or personal firewall software packages block streaming. If you have any of this software on your computer, please try disabling them one at a time and try to access the stream. If you are able to access the stream when one specific software package is disabled, streaming will have to be "allowed" through that software. Please consult the software Help or manual to learn how to allow streaming.
^topWhy is the stream playing the same 5-10 seconds of audio?
REPETITIVE AUDIO There are generally two causes for this:
- The streaming is hung up. Please start by filling out a Trouble Report and letting us know the call letters and a brief description of the problem.
- The broadcaster is playing filler audio during a non-streamable sporting event or syndicated show. Sometimes the radio stations cannot stream everything that they play over their terrestrial broadcast so they use a looping audio clip to fill in the blank time.
Why is the stream choppy or buffering?
Internet connection is too slow or is cutting out. Common symptoms are constant buffering and disconnects. Call your Internet Service Provider and have them check your line if you believe this to be the problem.
Bandwidth limitation on your network. This could be a company security or bandwidth-usage policy. It could also mean that your network is busy with file transfers or downloads. If you are in an office please check with your administrator.
Computer memory is low. If your memory or cache file folders are full you may experience audio streaming errors, try emptying your Temporary Internet files, and any addition files, such as the contents of the recycling bin.
Why do the same audio ads keep playing?
Due to some legal obligations, some radio ads cannot be streamed over the Internet. To accomplish this, we replace these ads with PSAs (Public Service Announcements) or other ads. Sometimes there are not enough ads to generate a wide enough selection so you hear each ad a lot. If you are hearing the same ads frequently, please fill out a Trouble Report and tell us the call letters and a brief description of the problem so that we can insert more ads or notify the station.
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How can I create a shortcut to the player on my desktop?
This is currently under development.
Does the player work with Mac and Linux, RealPlayer and Winamp?
Mac users with newer machines may not be able to get a copy of the Windows Media player. They should download Silverlight if they are on OS X 10.4.9 or higher. You can also use Flip4Mac or VLC (which also works for Linux users) player. If you are going to use any of these players other than Silverlight (which will work automatically with the regular Listen Live link), please fill out a Trouble Report and let us know the call letters of the station so that we can send you a special Listen Live link.
Some listeners have been able to hear the stream in RealPlayer and Winamp however this is currently unsupported.
Why is the radio broadcast ahead of the Internet stream?
The Internet stream is usually delayed between 5 seconds and 220 seconds. This is due to regular Internet traffic delays. If you are experiencing a delay greater than 220 seconds, please fill out a Trouble Report and let us know the call letters of the station.
Your browser is most likely set up to NOT accept "cookies". The registration program places a small cookie on your computer to let it know you have been there before. Without the cookie, the program "thinks" you are a new user. Configure your browser to accept cookies. If you periodically clear your computer of cookies, you will be asked to re-register the next time you want to listen. SurferNETWORK does not require a login or registration. If you are seeing this it is most likely from the broadcaster’s website.