Frequently Asked Questions
The DFG video portal for the Excellence Initiative makes science visible. If you encounter problems playing the videos or using the web site, you can find answers to your technical questions here. If you have other questions, you can contact our support staff: info@exzellenz-initiative.de
Why does the web site look so strange?
The portal was designed and optimised for current browsers. You must use at least Internet Explorer version 6 in order for all elements to be displayed correctly. We generally recommend Mozilla Firefox 3, which is available free of charge.
How does the video rating function work?
Click the green stars located underneath the videos. The more stars you click, the higher your rating. In order for this to function properly, please do not rate the videos until they have loaded completely. If the page is reloaded, you can rate the videos again.
The video will not play. Why not?
Two things are necessary in order to play the videos:
- A current Flash plug-in, available here for installation at no charge
- JavaScript activated in your browser
To activate JavaScript on your computer:
For Internet Explorer users
- Open Internet Explorer.
- On the “Tools” menu, select the “Internet Options” menu item.
- Select the “Security” tab.
- Click the “Custom level…” security level.
- Under “Scripting” -> “Active scripting”, select the “Enable” option.
- Click “OK”.
For Firefox users
- Open Firefox.
- On the “Tools” menu, select the “Options” menu item.
- Select “Content” (or, in older versions, “Web Features”).
- Place a checkmark in the box next to “Activate JavaScript”.
- Click “OK”.
For Safari users
- Open Safari.
- On the “Safari” menu, select the “Preferences” menu item.
- Click “Security”.
- Place a checkmark in the box next to “Enable JavaScript”.
- Close the window.
- Click “Reload”.
The videos stop playing and then restart again. Why?
For a video to play without interruption, an Internet bandwidth of at least 1,000kb/s is necessary. This is equivalent to DSL 1000. A connection with less bandwidth, a slower download speed or an instable Internet connection could be the cause of playback starting and stopping. In such a case, you should download the video completely before starting it.
Why won’t the video load completely or why does it end too early?
If the buffering process for the video is interrupted, there is an incomplete copy of the video in the browser cache that prevents downloading of the entire video. In this case, you should clear the browser cache and reload the video. If this doesn’t solve the problem, the stability of the Internet connection should be checked.
Why is there no sound during video playback?
The sound for the videos and trailers can generally be adjusted with the speaker icon. To hear the sound associated with a video, adjust the speakers, check whether your computer is set to playback sound, and check the volume level in the volume control in the lower right area of the video player. The volume level of standard audio and video software, such as Real Player or Windows Media Player, should likewise be adjusted, as this also affects the volume at which sound is played on your computer. If your computer does not have a sound card, no sound can be played.
