User Guide

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The buffer is a type of memory cache that contains the portion of the movie that is about to play,

usually just a few seconds. The stream enters the buffer as it streams to RealPlayer and leaves the

buffer as RealPlayer plays the clip. The buffer allows viewers to view content without

downloading the entire file, and prevents network congestion or lapses in bandwidth availability

from disrupting the playback stream.

The buffering process is initiated by the

play command, and once the buffer is full (100%), the

portion of the stream that is in the buffer begins to play. Because the initial buffering process takes

a few seconds, there is a delay between the time when the

play command is called and when the

stream actually begins to play. You can work around this using the

pausedAtStart command,

starting to play the stream off the Stage during the buffering process, and then displaying the

stream on the Stage as it actually begins to play. (For more information, see the example in the

pausedAtStart (RealMedia) entry.)

Examples

The following examples show that 56% of the RealMedia stream in sprite 2 and the cast member

Real has been buffered.

put sprite(2).percentBuffered

-- 56

put member("Real").percentBuffered

-- 56