Tech Tips

 

Click here for Instructions to watch a film from the film festival on Vimeo.

 

Films can be streamed on any "smart" device: a smart TV, a desktop or laptop computer, a tablet, or even a smartphone.

There are many ways you can connect these devices to your home TV using an HDMI cable, through device-to-TV-screen mirroring.

 

Because most of our films are on Vimeo, we recommend you create a FREE account online in advance for easy login before entering the provided links and passwords (you just need to enter an e-mail and password). For those with smart TVs, Apple TV, or Roku boxes, you can also download the Vimeo app on your TV.

This is a good tutorial that will help you to connect your computer to your TV.

https://youtu.be/2n4hYLfxTIU

 

TO WATCH THE FILMS ON YOUR COMPUTER, TABLET, OR SMARTPHONE:
Once the viewing window begins, click on the link that was provided in your e-mail. It is recommended that you copy and paste the password rather than trying to type it in. Passwords are case sensitive.
 
TO WATCH ON YOUR FLAT SCREEN TV VIA HDMI CONNECTION (BEST OPTION):
You must have an HDMI cable to connect your laptop to your TV. Plug one end of the cable into your laptop, and the other into the HDMI Input in your TV. Both ends of the cable are the same. Your computer display should appear on your TV screen. You may need to adjust your computer's sound settings for the audio to come through your TV. If your computer doesn't not have an HDMI port, you may need an adapter.
Refer to these guides for more help: Windows | Mac

 

TO WATCH ON YOUR SMART TV USING THE VIMEO APP:
Click the link when you receive it in your e-mail. In the upper right corner of the video, you'll see a clock icon that says "Add to Watch Later" when you hover over it. Click this to add it to your Vimeo library. When you open the Vimeo app on your TV, go to Library and the film should be there. NOTE: If your TV is connected to WiFi (not hard-wired) test this out with another video on Vimeo (there is plenty of free content at vimeo.com). Some TVs have issues streaming via WiFi and videos tend to freeze. If this is the case, connecting to your computer via HDMI cable is recommended.

 

IF THE MOVIE IS FREEZING, BLURRING, OR NOT PLAYING:

Internet bandwidth is often the culprit. Before viewing, we recommend you close all competing apps/browser pages/programs on your device, then launch a singular window/app for film viewing. Competing household users will slow WiFi down too, so make sure nobody else in your house is using the wifi. Try a different browser (i.e., Chrome, Firefox, and Safari tend to work better than Internet Explorer, for example).

 

Do speed test at www.speedtest.net - bandwidth should be 5 Mbps, ideally 10 MBps. Lower playback quality: many Vimeos automatically play in HD/Hi-definition video. To adjust, click the gear icon in the lower right corner and choose a reduced option (note: video quality may lower as well).