Watching Olympic Eventing on a computer?

[Joan_from_Flatlands]

Will be on the road without access to a TV during the equestrian events. I will have access to my laptop and I believe a WiFi connection. I do have windows 7 vs windows 10. I am a cable subscriber. Will there be a way for me to watch the games on my laptop?

Joan from Flatlands

[betonbill]

During the last Olympics you could watch via computer if your TV service included the NBC channels, NBC sports, and others. I’m assuming the same will apply this time. Maybe check with the networks and make sure.

[SolarFlare]

I think (hope) CBC in Canada will be providing full online coverage again this year as in previous Olympic years. You’ll probably need to use a proxy to watch since you don’t seem to be on this side of the border, but it’s worth it! The CBC coverage has been excellent the last couple Olympics.

Here is the main CBC Olympics site (the online coverage schedule hasn’t been posted yet but will be here when ready): http://olympics.cbc.ca/

I’ve used the Hola plugin with Chrome before to watch BBC coverage before, so you could try that, although I’m sure other COTHers will have suggestions too.

[Sharon]

I have a pc with Windows 10. Can the NBC streaming app be downloaded to a regular pc?
I did download the app to my ipad and iPhone…but would like to watch when I am working from my pc.

[Joan_from_Flatlands]

Thanks everyone!!

I have a cable subscription w NBC, NBCSports etc. Live in the USA - have windows 7 and not interested in upgrading to 10 at this time as that would mess w some of my work software.

[Lord_Helpus]

Several weeks ago I asked the same question on h/j. At that time, there were no answers.

So I just tried again, and still no answers. I have DISH Tv and get the requisite channels, but, at best, Equestrian will only show as highlights on one of the Cable channels.

And, trying to get it online seems to lead to an unending morass of confusion.

[egood]

Yes, you should be able to stream all events by logging in with your TV provider on nbc.com or nbcsports.com/live

Windows version doesn’t matter. I assume the nbc app will let you stream as well.

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

I didn’t have any trouble (technologically speaking) watching live streams of equestrian sports on a Windows computer during either the London or Bejing Olympics. I don’t think I watched as much of London since the time difference made a lot of the live stuff run in the middle of the night, and I don’t get nearly as sucked in to the replays when I already know how things turned out.

I have been paying big bucks to Comcast for both cable TV and internet for years and years so times like this are when I get a little extra benefit. Make sure you know your account name and password so you can login.

Regardless of your platform, if you plan to try to watch the livestreams, making sure the following are in order in the coming week might help avoid some of the glitches -

1. Make sure your device’s operating system is up to date - more and more devices take care of this automagically in the background these days, but if your device doesn’t do that, make sure you are current on service packs and updates.
2. Make sure your internet browser is fairly current. Again, some browsers (like Chrome) update themselves in the background; others may or may not.
3. Update your plug-ins. Adobe Flash, Adobe Shockwave, Java.
4. Try to “test watch” a livestream of something that occurs before the one event you are really most interested so you can troubleshoot any glitches when you are not pissed because you are missing what you most want to see.

Good luck!

[Lord_Helpus]

Groom and Taxi

I am trying to become conversant with technology, but am failing.

Evidently Adobe is part of Google Chrome
Evidently Google Chrome does not support Java. Does that matter?
I went to chrome://plugins and clicked on “Allow Adobe shockwave to always run”. Did I do right?

2. What is a VPN and do I want to download one? (Is this what HOLA is? I have watched Badminton on HOLA and it worked great). But watching the equestrian events through another country’s feed means that I will get that country’s riders and may not get US riders complete rides.

3. I have DISH for TV and Century Link for Internet. How do I login? And which one do I want to log in to?

TIA for your help!

It would be SO MUCH easier if NBC had answered these questions…

[egood]

@Lord Helpus

When you click on a stream something should pop-up that says “Connect through your cable provider”. You’ll then have to choose Dish, in which case you should be redirected to a login screen. Use your Dish login/password here.

I wouldn’t worry about compatibility. Can you watch youtube videos? That’s all that should matter. If not, the website should tell you you don’t have the necessary software and direct you on where to get it.

edit: direct link: http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/equestrian

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

Hey LH, I’ll take a stab at your questions although there are so many variables that it’s hard to forsee all the permutations -

I found this website that seems to have some FAQs and specs specifically about the streaming requirements -
http://www.nbcolympics.com/watch-live

Based on what I see there and assuming Chrome is your preferred browser, it sounds like Adobe Flash would be the most significant add-in to update if it isn’t already up to date. Typically Chrome takes care of updating Flash, but it’s not unheard of for something to go wrong with that process occasionally. I think what you did with regard to Adobe Shockwave is fine but possibly not relevant (per the link). Both Flash and Shockwave are products that work with web browsers (and sometimes other software) to deliver interactive content.

If you subscribe to Dish for TV, it sounds like you should not need any kind of VPN - that only comes in if you don’t have a subscription to a service that is partnered with NBC. I found this info just now from Dish which appears to be new news as of yesterday
http://about.dish.com/press-release/products-and-services/dish-present-nbcuniversals-coverage-2016-rio-olympics-including-

To the best of my recollection from London, when I went to watch a live stream, I was prompted to put in my Comcast creds - therefore there was some kind of authentication between the streaming app/site and my provider that determined that I was good to go. I have no idea how that was determined or controlled - thankfully, it worked.

Hope this helps at least a little!

[findeight]

I have the NBCSports app on my iPad (along with FoxSports1) and watch motor sports live or tape delayed on it all the time so rest assured there is no majikal skill required to tap the app icon to open it, point and click or tap the selected sport, click on your cable provider logo and type in your password to access it.

The App is free at your App store. It will tell you what systems are compatible and many times there are work arounds or so I have been told. Windows 7 is a bit of an issue, pretty outdated but lower end tablets and basic laptops are downright cheap these days, might be worth one if your company insists on hanging on to antiquated systems incompatable with anybody’s personal devices.

[Peggy]

My only advice is to make sure everything is working before the first event that you really want to see. I had no trouble four years ago once I got all my ducks in a row. Now, I have no cable subscription and am probably out of luck.

I know from online Chemistry homework that Chrome is a 16-bit processor, as opposed to a 32-bit processor. At least that was the case a year or so ago when my chemistry students kept trying to use Chrome for their homework and it would not work, due to some sort of Java thing. I think. But Flash isn’t the same as Chrome, though both are from Adobe.

[Lord_Helpus]

Thank you all for helping. I have downloaded the app from “my” iTunes store (are there other app stores?). But I downloaded it to my laptop, not iphone or ipad. How do I know if it will work?

[I have Windows 8.2 if it makes a difference]

And how do I find out my password!!! I have never had a password for DISH Network. – Is that who I need to call? Or should I call Century Link, who is my ISP?

[egood]

[QUOTE=Lord Helpus;8770612]
Thank you all for helping. I have downloaded the app from “my” iTunes store (are there other app stores?). But I downloaded it to my laptop, not iphone or ipad. How do I know if it will work?

[I have Windows 8.2 if it makes a difference]

And how do I find out my password!!! I have never had a password for DISH Network. – Is that who I need to call? Or should I call Century Link, who is my ISP?[/QUOTE]

Call DISH, they should walk you through registering.

If you can launch the app, then it will work. Otherwise just watch with your internet browser, any kind will work!

[Natalie_A]

Hoping we’ll be able to watch on demand after the events as well - have it on my phone and plan to watch a little on breaks at work but would like to watch more of it if I can!