Occasionally we are asked by our clients whether we they can add media (such as audio files or, more commonly, video) to their website.

To answer this it is important to clarify what is meant by streaming and downloading.

• Streaming media involves playing it directly from the host server, without it being downloaded on the local PC (or phone etc.). The file is not retrievable from the cache as, technically, it is never stored as a whole on the users device. To do this requires use of one (or more - you need different servers for different formats, such as Quicktime and Windows Media) Streaming Media Servers.
  At present Carelink does not support streaming. There are many good companies who can provide that service on the internet, a Google search will throw up many (such as IWS - but don't treat that as an endorsement!); we are not aware of any on N3 however.
  

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• Downloaded media is much more simple. In this case the file is transferred to the PC, where it is played. Modern formats all support progressive downloads, where the user can begin watching the movie or listen to the audio before it has all downloaded. In effect the file is partly downloaded to the PC's cache and once there is enough to begin watching the player starts playing it. Assuming a reliable connection, the rest of the file downloads in the background without the user being aware that it's happening. Progrssive download is almost as quick as streaming (there is usually just a few seconds delay before play commences).
  Carelink does support this type of media, subject to the usual limits on storage and bandwidth usage associated with your contract.
  
  See an example of Progressive Streaming here (you will need Quicktime installed to watch this movie): Facade.mov

or the famous 'More Cowbell' video (Windows media file): cowbell27.wmv

It is also possible to embed an ActiveX player directly in the page (you may need to allow the ActiveX player to be installed, and to click the player once to enable it before play can be started):