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MLB.com / Downloads FAQs

1. What kind of file am I downloading?

2. Why is a license used for my downloaded view?

3. What is DRM?

4. Can I copy this downloaded file to another machine and play it?

5. I downloaded this video and then disconnected from the Internet, but now I am getting a license error.

6. How do I obtain a license on my Mac for this downloaded file?

7. Do I have to obtain a license every time I want to watch the downloaded video?

8. I have a Windows PC and I am using Windows Media Player, but I cannot get a license.

9. Can I burn an MLB.com Downloads video to DVD and watch on my TV?

10. What's the difference between watching a "streamed" file (a live video on MLB.TV, for example, or a video in the MLB.TV on-demand archives) and watching a "downloaded" video (for example, one purchased via the MLB.com Digital Download Service)?

11. Is my internet connection fast enough for MLB.com video and audio streams?

12. Why can I no longer view previously purchased downloads?

13. After downloading the media, why isn't the "Play" button enabled after I have acquired the license?

1. What kind of file am I downloading?

   You will be downloading a Windows Media video (or in some cases audio) file with DRM. Generally, game files are approximately 1 GB in size with a bitrate of 1 MB (very high quality). MLB.com Downloads are for personal and non-commercial use.

2. Why is a license used for my downloaded video?

   All MLB.com Downloads are encrypted with Microsoft Digital Rights Management technology. DRM security requires a valid license before viewing the material. You must have Windows Media Player (version 10.0 or higher) downloaded on your machine to view downloaded video.

3. What is DRM?

   Digital Rights Management is a technology that allows for the secure management of digital media. This security protects the content provider from unauthorized distribution, viewing and use of the material.

4. Can I copy this downloaded file to another machine and play it?

   Yes, the license given to you for a digital download allows for the viewing and transfer of the download to up to three machines. If you view the video from work, then you will still be able to view the file from home.

5. I downloaded this file and then disconnected from the Internet, but now I am getting a license error.

   When viewing the downloaded video for the first time, you need to be connected to the Internet in order to obtain a license to view the material. If this problem persists please contact Customer Service at 866.800.1275 or e-mail customerservice@website.mlb.com.

6. How do I obtain a license on my Mac for this downloaded file?

   Currently the version of DRM in use is not supported by the Macintosh Windows Media Player, therefore you cannot view downloaded videos on a Mac.

7. Do I have to obtain a license every time I want to watch the downloaded video?

   No. When you first try to play the video, a license will be distributed to you and stored by the player. Unless manually deleted, the license will exist forever and will be used when you try to watch the downloaded video on that machine. If you watch the video on a different machine, another license will be required.

8. I have a Windows PC and I am using Windows Media Player, but I cannot get a license.

   The current Digital Rights Management technology is only available on Windows Media Players that are version 10.0 or higher. If this problem persists please contact Customer Service at 866.800.1275 or e-mail customerservice@website.mlb.com.

9. Can I burn an MLB.com Downloads video to DVD and watch on my TV?

   You can burn a MLB.com Downloads video onto a DVD, but only as a storage medium for computer files, not as a "TV quality" DVD. You can use your computer to write a MLB.com Downloads Windows Media file to a data DVD (DVD-ROM) for storage (similar to writing to a CD for storage) so you don't have to keep it on your computer's hard drive. However, this is very different than a DVD-Video DVD (such as a motion picture DVD) that you view in high-resolution on your TV screen. MLB.com Downloads files are computer screen-resolution Windows Media files; DVDs that you watch on your TV are higher-resolution MPEG-2 format files. If you are using a monitor as your TV, you may be able to view content that is displaying on your computer screen.

10. What's the difference between watching a "streamed" video (a live video on MLB.TV, for example, or a video in the MLB.TV on-demand archives) and watching a "downloaded" video (for example, one purchased via the MLB.com Downloads)?

    Here are the key differences between streaming and downloading video:

    1. Streaming
       1. Streaming video starts playing almost immediately when you click on a link. There will be a little bit of "buffering" (as your computer makes the connection and starts the data flowing from the server that is feeding you the video) and then the video begins playing.
       2. Video is currently offered in one broadband bitrate: 400K/700K.
       3. The quality of the picture you see will vary greatly, depending on the speed of your Internet connection. MLB.com doesn't recommend streaming video for dial-up Internet connections.
       4. The video does not take up any space on your computer's hard drive - effectively, you are watching a "link" to another site (in this case, a place where the video footage is stored) as it is delivered ("streamed") to your computer in real-time.
    2. Downloading
       1. Downloaded video does not start playing when you first click on a link. You must first purchase the file, then have the entire file "downloaded" to your computer (by streaming the bits to you over the Internet). Once the download is complete, you can begin playing the file off of your computer's hard drive.
       2. How soon you can start watching the video footage will depend on the speed of your connection.
       3. Once you start playing the downloaded file, the video quality will be very high and there will be no interruptions based on a poor Internet connection because you are playing it off your hard drive. In fact, you can play the video on your computer without being connected to the Internet at all, because the actual video file is stored locally on your hard drive or device.
       4. To store a complete file, you will need enough hard drive space to store a roughly 1.5 GB file. A complete 9+ inning video is a large file, and if you do not have enough drive space, you will not be able to watch the video.

11. Is my internet connection fast enough for MLB.com video and audio streams?

    Take the MLB.com Speed Test!

    This test will measure your download rate from our servers to give you a recommendation as to whether or not your internet connection is fast enough for MLB.com video and audio streams.

    Click here to test your internet connection.

12. Why can I no longer view previously purchased downloads?

    It has come to our attention that a small subset of our MLB.com Digital Download customers are unable to access and watch certain games that they previously purchased on MLB.com. MLB.com is committed to ensuring that all non-functioning MLB.com Digital Downloads that were previously purchased directly from us are again made available at no additional cost to our customers without regard to the number of machines to which the Downloads have been transferred.

    If you are unable to view a MLB.com Digital Download game that you purchased directly from us, please contact MLB.com Customer Service by either (1) sending an e-mail to customerservice@website.mlb.com listing the games that are no longer accessible, or (2) by calling 1-866-800-1275 to speak to a representative.

    We will then send you an e-mail containing information on how to re-download and access these games. Please note that all Regular Season games will be available in the originally purchased format and that all Postseason games will be made available in Windows Media format. If we are unable to provide you with a replacement video, we will offer you a refund.

    We regret any inconvenience, and value your continued support.

13. After downloading the media, why isn't the "Play" button enabled after I have acquired the license?

    The following remedy is for Windows XP and Vista users only. You must install and upgrade your security component to allow playback of protected Windows Media at the following URL (this page must be opened using Internet Explorer) - http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/crlupdate/en/crlupdate.html. Please follow the instructions according to your platform.

    Note:

    You must have administrator privileges on your computer to install this upgrade. If you do not, please contact your system administrator to perform the installation.