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Which plugins to I need to watch online movie streams?

  • 6 cavab
  • 4 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by guigs

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I can watch Youtube videos as well as streams such as Twitch. However, when I try to watch an online movie stream it doesn't work anymore. The loading wheel just keeps spinning, but no error message comes up that says that there is a plugin missing. I installed and updated the flash player and shockwave player, so which plugins do I need more? Java or silverlight maybe? Thank you

I can watch Youtube videos as well as streams such as Twitch. However, when I try to watch an online movie stream it doesn't work anymore. The loading wheel just keeps spinning, but no error message comes up that says that there is a plugin missing. I installed and updated the flash player and shockwave player, so which plugins do I need more? Java or silverlight maybe? Thank you

Modified by GSicKz

All Replies (6)

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Hey GSicKz,

Which streaming service are you attempting to view? Netflix requires Silverlight.

I also noticed you are using Adblock Plus. Try clicking on the ABP logo then "disable everywhere". After that reload the page in question and see if the video will play.

Let us know if you're still having trouble. Curtis

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Streaming services such as streamcloud, nowvideo and so on do not work on my new laptop. I disabled my adblocker, but that did not help. It used to work on my old laptop. I also have problems watching Youtube videos on HD 1080p, it keeps pausing and the loading wheel appears. My internet connection is 25 mbit/s, I have a i7 processor, so I really dont understand why I am experiencing this issues. I tried the internet explorer but its the same on there.

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I'm not familiar with either of those services, can you provide a link to a video?

Maybe try this internet speed test to confirm your connection? ISP's do tend to sell more than they can physically provide. Plus depending on how your PC is connecting- wireless or wired there may be other factors slowing it down.

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I added a screenshot of my internet speed, it is above 20 mbit/s so that shouldn't be a problem when trying to stream a movie. I now completely deleted my adblocker and uninstalled my flash player with the adobe uninstaller (although I could not completely remove it in the way they describe it here https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html, because I could not delete the files in C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash, it said I needed permission from the installer to delete the files). Then, I installed flash player again, and now at least Youtube seems to work smoothly on 1080p, but online movies still do not work. For example https://archive.org/details/97154_hm_eastern_homes it keeps buffering for 15-20 minutes before it starts, on html5 as well as on flash (you can decide which one to use under the video). I just understand why I am experiencing this issue with my new laptop (Lenovo S440) with i7 processor and everything. Regards and thanks for the help

Modified by GSicKz

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I just tried to watch the exact same stream on twitch.com (http://www.twitch.tv/esltv_cs) on my laptop and at the same time I started watching it on my brothers PC, both on the best quality "Source". It worked smoothly on his computer but it kept pausing and buffering again on my laptop although I'm using the i7 processor and hes using an i3 .... Actually I tried the same thing with a youtube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrJlUVCe4VA) on 1080p and it keeps pausing and buffering again for me every 30 seconds while it goes smoothly for him... Seems like my flash player is extremely slow and doesn't work properly. But why?

Modified by GSicKz

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Please make sure that the graphics drivers and webgl drivers are up to date: Upgrade your graphics drivers to use hardware acceleration and WebGL

Restart Firefox after making any changes. If you do not see an improvement, please consider disabling hardware acceleration:

Some problems with Flash video playback can be resolved by disabling hardware acceleration in your Flash Player settings. (See this article for more information on using the Flash plugin in Firefox).

To disable hardware acceleration in Flash Player:

  1. Go to this Adobe Flash Player Help page.
  2. Right-click on the Flash Player logo on that page.
  3. Click on Settings in the context menu. The Adobe Flash Player Settings screen will open.
  4. Click on the icon at the bottom-left of the Adobe Flash Player Settings window to open the Display panel.

    The image "fpSettings1.PNG" does not exist.
  5. Remove the check mark from Enable hardware acceleration.
  6. Click Close to close the Adobe Flash Player Settings Window.
  7. Restart Firefox.

This Flash Player Help - Display Settings page has more information on Flash Player hardware acceleration, if you're interested.

Does this solve the problem? Let us know.