We're sorry you are having trouble watching Storyline Online!

Here are solutions to some of the most common problems...

"All I see is a red screen."

Your computer is missing the Flash plug-in or has an old version of Flash. This site currently requires Flash 8, or later. Download it for free at Adobe.com, follow the installation instructions, and relaunch your browser. http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/

"I can navigate through the site, but when the books open, no video plays."

Your computer's Flash plug-in may not be working correctly. Uninstall Flash, then download the newest version at Adobe.com, and follow the installation instructions to reinstall Flash. When the installation is complete, relaunch your browser.

Adobe has some more Flash Player troubleshooting tips here: http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/

"When I open a book, it gets stuck on 'Connecting to Streaming Server...'."

There are probably a lot of people trying to access that story at the same time. Try reloading the page or closing it and opening it again a bit later. Also, try waiting for a few minutes to see if the stories will eventually load. Try closing the book (click anywhere) and re-opening it. If the problem continues, try a different story, or come back later in the day.

If your computer is behind a firewall, set it to allow content from flash.vitalstream.com and ports 1935, 443 & 80.

Additionally, try and see if you have trouble with other sites that stream video.

"I can't view the website on my computer, even though I could view it before."

Our recent site update improved video quality dramatically, but changed the Flash Player requirements from Flash 7 to Flash 8, so make sure you have that version of the player at the minimum. See Adobe.com for the Flash Player system requirements to make sure you can use Flash 8 or later on your computer.  

"The video stops and starts, or freezes while playing."

Your internet connection or computer processor may be having trouble keeping up with the video stream. Try choosing the "Medium" or "Small" version of the story.

Bandwidth constraints and general Internet congestion can cause issues since the videos are streaming directly from a content server (as opposed to downloading locally to your computer before playing).  Sometimes you may see slower performance when trying to connect at a time where there is either heavy traffic on the Internet or on the video streaming server.

"I click on the 'Full Screen' button but nothing happens."

Your browser either has pop-up window blocking enabled or Javascript has been disabled. You may need to ask your teacher/librarian/parent/network administrator for help adjusting this.

"Can I download the stories to play later?"

We're sorry, but our arrangements with the book authors and publishers require that the videos play only on the site, and cannot be stored or saved on other computers. We'll be here anytime you want to watch, though!

"I am having problems with the sound."

Sound problems can vary from the computer having issues with sound itself, to the Flash Player not working correctly. It may also be that you are connecting at a larger/faster connection setting and your Internet connection is too slow to play at that speed. Try choosing the "Small" or "Medium" setting. Also, check other Flash sites and streaming video sites to see if the sound is working. You might also try to uninstall and reinstall the Flash Player.

"How do you fast forward or rewind during the story?"

There is a small triangle that shows the progress of the movie along a timeline at the bottom of the video. (At some speeds, you need to place the pointer over the video for the timeline to appear.) Click the triangle with your mouse/pointer, then drag it backwards or forwards to move to different parts of the video.

"How do I change the Speed/Connection setting?"

The speed/connection setting appears the first time you view a video on the site. If you want to change the speed/connection setting after you have started viewing the videos, there is a "CHANGE SPEED" button that appears on the right side while the video is playing. This changes your setting for the entire website.  If you want to see the initial speed/connection screen again, so that it appears as if you had never visited the site, you can clear your browser’s history and empty your browser’s cache. 

"I've tried the suggestions above, but the site is still not working."

Try to close the browser window, empty your browser's cache, clear your browser's history, then go back to the website again. 

"Do you have a list of all the stories on the site?"

Here is a list of the stories, as of April, 2008 (list subject to change):

Guji Guji, by Chih Yuan Chen; read by Robert Guillaume
Sebastian's Roller Skates, by Joan De Deu Prats; read by Caitlin Wachs
Sophie's Masterpiece, by Eileen Spinelli; read by CCH Pounder
Stellaluna, by Janell Cannon; read by Pamela Reed
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, by Mem Fox; read by Bradley Whitford
No Mirrors in My Nana's House, by Ysaye M. Barnwell; read by Tia and Tamera Mowry
The Night I Followed the Dog, by Nina Laden; read by Amanda Bynes
Thank you, Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco; read by Jane Kaczmarek
My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother, by Patricia Polacco; read by Melissa Gilbert
Knots on a Counting Rope, by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault; read by Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels
Brave Irene, by William Steig; read by Al Gore
A Bad Case of Stripes, by David Shannon; read by Sean Astin
Private I. Guana, by Nina Laden; read by Esai Morales
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, by Eileen Spinelli; read by Hector Elizondo
The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg; read by Lou Diamond Phillips
Me and My Cat, by Satoshi Kitamura; read by Elijah Wood
Dad, Are You the Tooth Fairy, by Jason Alexander; read by Jason Alexander
When Pigasso Met Mootisse, by Nina Laden; read by Eric Close
White Socks Only, by Evelyn Coleman; read by Amber Rose Tamblyn
Romeow and Drooliet, by Nina Laden; read by Haylie Duff
Enemy Pie, by Derek Munson; read by Camryn Manheim

Still having trouble? Please tell us about it: