Frequently Asked Questions

1. General information

1.1. What do I do if my question is not in this FAQ? (And I have read all the questions in this faq!)
1.2. Where is the MAC FAQ?
1.3. What are the techinical requirements for using Octoshape Streaming Services?
1.4. Does Octoshape Streaming Services support other platforms than MS Windows?
1.5. Can several users on the same machine use Octoshape Streaming Services?

2. Running the Octoshape plug-in

2.1. How can I see if the Octoshape Streaming Services program is running?
2.2. What do I do if my computer is suddenly very slow?
2.3. What do I do if my media player doesn't show any picture on a video stream?
2.4. I want to play the music in my favorite player, XXX, but it does not work?
2.5. I want to hear more than one channel, but only one is played.
2.6. What do I do if Octoshape presumably is preventing my computer shutting down and I get a dialog box with a title saying something like '... TRd ww ...'?
2.7. Why do I get a stream with a lower bitrate than the one I have chosen?

3. Installation and Uninstallation

3.1. What do I do if I get a message that says I have not installed Java when I know I have?
3.2. What does it mean if I get this error message: "Cannot proceed with current Internet proxy settings", during the installation?
3.3. Why does my firewall pop up asking if OctoshapeClient.exe should be granted access to the Internet?
3.4. How do I uninstall Octoshape Streaming Services?

4. Settings

4.1. Where do I find the settings menu?
4.2. If I don't have the 'Octoshape recommended player' will I have to install a new player?
4.3. If I don't have the 'Octoshape recommended browser' will I have to install a new browser?
4.4. What does 'Start normally' mean and why should Octoshape Streaming Services do anything at all when my computer starts up?
4.5. What does it mean that Octoshape Streaming Services is in idle mode?

5. Privacy

5.1. Do other users know my IP-number?
5.2. Will Octoshape ApS be able to see my IP-number?

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1. General information

1.1. What do I do if my question is not in this FAQ? (And I have read all the questions in this faq!)

Write to support@octoshape.com and we will try to help.

1.2. Where is the MAC FAQ?

Most answers in this FAQ are concerend with the Windows plug-in. For a special MAC version of this faq, go to MAC FAQ.

1.3. What are the techinical requirements for using Octoshape Streaming Services?

See the requirements here: requirements.

1.4. Does Octoshape Streaming Services support other platforms than MS Windows?

Yes, Octoshape has a plug-in for MAC altough this plug-in is still in BETA version so it might not work for all users. Read more about the MAC beta plug-in.

We are currently working on a plug-in for the Linux platform. Contact Octoshape if you would like to be notified directly (by email) when it is ready.

1.5. Can several users on the same machine use Octoshape Streaming Services?

Yes, but each user has to install the program and accept the End User License Agreement individually.

2. Running the Octoshape plug-in

2.1. How can I see if the Octoshape Streaming Services program is running?

When the program is running you will see the small Octoshape icon in the lower right corner of your screen (in the Systray). Normally the program will start up automatic when you turn on your computer but you can also start the program through the 'start' menu.

2.2. What do I do if my computer is suddenly very slow?

Most likely the problem have nothing to do with Octoshape Streaming Services. To check if it is Octoshape Streaming Services that is causing the problem you must either reboot your computer or terminate the OctohapeClient.exe program in the Windows Task Manager. To do this push Ctrl-alt-del at the same time to open the task manager and then choose the process called 'OctoshapeClient.exe' and press 'end task'.

2.3. What do I do if my media player doesn't show any picture on a video stream?

Most likely you have chosen a stream your windows media player does not support. Go to windows update website for updating your media player 9, then restart your computer and start up Octoshape Streaming Services again.

2.4. I want to play the music in my favorite player, XXX, but it does not work?

Any Media Player can be used, if it can connect to an media server and read an 'asf' file. Some user experience problems with Winamp but usually it is because of lacking an asf codec.

2.5. I want to hear more than one channel, but only one is played.

The Octoshape client only allows one channel to played at one time, except for some interval between switching channels. If you really want to hear two channels and have the bandwidth, you can start second (different) version of the client (fx. a betaversion).

2.6. What do I do if Octoshape presumably is preventing my computer shutting down and I get a dialog box with a title saying something like '... TRd ww ...'?

You probably have a third party program called 'Total Recorder' (used to grab streams) installed. See an answer: here.

2.7. Why do I get a stream with a lower bitrate than the one I have chosen?

If you are playing an Octoshape Channel that has multiple bitrates the Octoshape plug-in will try to play the bitrate you have chosen, but if this bitrate is too high for your internet connection you will get a lower bitrate stream.

3. Installation and Uninstallation

3.1. What do I do if I get a message that says I have not installed Java when I know I have?

Java can be installed in such way that Octoshape Streaming Services is not able to find it. To solve this problem install java again (http://www.java.com/en/download/windows_automatic.jsp).

3.2. What does it mean if I get this error message: "Cannot proceed with current Internet proxy settings", during the installation?

You will be able to find the answer to this question at Sun's web-site: here.

3.3. Why does my firewall pop up asking if OctoshapeClient.exe should be granted access to the Internet?

In order to receive streaming data the Octoshape Streaming Services program has to communicate with the internet and this may trigger your firewall. It is important that you grant the program the access it asks for.

3.4. How do I uninstall Octoshape Streaming Services?

In the menu 'start', and again in 'programs' you can choose 'Octoshape Streaming Services' and here is the uninstaller.

4. Settings

4.1. Where do I find the settings menu?

When Octoshape Streaming Services is running you can find the settings menu by right clicking the Octoshape icon in the systray (the lower right corner of the screen) and choose 'Settings'.

4.2. If I don't have the 'Octoshape recommended player' will I have to install a new player?

You will most likely not need a new player. Choosing the 'Octoshape recommended player' setting will make Octoshape Streaming Services use the media player with the best compatibility among the media players already installed on your computer. You will only need to install a new media player if it is not mentioned in the requirements (see above).

4.3. If I don't have the 'Octoshape recommended browser' will I have to install a new browser?

You will most likely not need a new browser. Like in the case of 'Octoshape recommended player' (se answer above) Octoshape Streaming Services will choose among the browsers you already have installed on your system.

4.4. What does 'Start normally' mean and why should Octoshape Streaming Services do anything at all when my computer starts up?

The 'Start normally' setting means that Octoshape Streaming Services will start up and check for updates when your computer starts up and then it will go into idle mode. You will now be able to play a stream whenever you feel like it without waiting for the program to start up or check for updates.

4.5. What does it mean that Octoshape Streaming Services is in idle mode?

The program is ready and waiting for you to choose a stream. If you set the program to automatically exit when it is not used (i.e. not go into idle mode), it will take a few seconds to start up when you choose a stream to play.

5. Privacy

5.1. Do other users know my IP-number?

Your computer is communicating with other users of Octoshape Streaming Services so they will be able to see your IP-number as well as you can see theirs. This is quite normal on the internet. When you normally contact a server to see a web page, the server will know your IP-number.
But the other users you are communicating with will not know your name, your e-mail or any other information you may have given to Octoshape ApS.

5.2. Will Octoshape ApS be able to see my IP-number?

Yes, Octoshape ApS will be able to see your IP-number and to pair it with your name and e-mail if you have provided Octoshape with these information, but all information you have given to us will be treated as highly confidential information as described under privacy.