Technical checklist

A good film experience at home does not necessarily require expensive gadgets. Preparation and smart choices are key. Keep these three factors in mind: streaming, watching and audio. Will you use one device for all three, or three different devices?

The MtM online player is more compatible with certain devices than others. We recommend using a (recently updated) computer or laptop. Streaming from a mobile device (smartphones or tablets) is an option, but is likely to cause more technical issues. This is especially true for older models.

MtM films can only be streamed using a web browser. This is more compatible with computers and laptops than with mobile devices. We do not have a streaming app available (for smartphones or smart TVs).

If you want to watch the film on a different device than the one you are streaming from (for example, streaming from your laptop and watching on your television), you will need to connect the two devices. Connections can be made using a cable, casting with Chromecast or Apple AirPlay. Streaming MtM films on your smart TV is only possible if you have access to a web browser on your TV. You will have to open www.moviesthatmatter.nl from the web browser on your television.

All our movies are protected with DRM, which can vary from movie to movie. It may happen that this system indicates that the way of viewing is not safe. The protections inspects which device you use, with which software and any external connections. There are a number of notorious issues. Apple devices only work with Safari and possibly Airplay & Apple TV, Windows and Android only work with Chrome and possibly Chromecast. Some external screens are also not recognised.

Important disclaimer: the MtM player will have the least issues if you watch the film on the screen of the device that you are streaming from. If you are experiencing issues with Chromecast, an external screen or with your beamer/projector (for example, only audio and no image), this frequently resolves the issue.

Even a simple set of speakers can elevate the audio experience significantly. So we recommend connecting your laptop or computer to a sound system for the ultimate film experience.

The MtM player works best with Google Chrome. If you prefer not to use Google, we recommend using Firefox or Microsoft Edge as an alternative. MtM films can only be streamed using a web browser – we do not have a streaming app available (for smartphones or smart TVs).

Make sure your browser is updated before the film screening to avoid your browser demanding a software update during the screening.

To check whether your internet connection is strong enough for high quality streaming, you can perform a speed test. A download speed of 15Mbps (Megabit per second) is sufficient to stream a film. However, your wireless internet connection can still fluctuate. To ensure a stable connection, connect your device to your modem using an ethernet cable.

We strongly recommend checking whether any updates are available – for your web browser or your device – before streaming a film. Outdated software is one of the most common issues experienced by online festival visitors. We cannot resolve these kinds of problems for you.

It can take time to adjust to streaming films in a new digital environment. What adjustments can I make? Can I pause and rewind? It is important to remember that the online MtM festival player is not the same thing as a streaming service. You may not see all the settings or options you are accustomed to, and you may encounter new options.

When you open the player, the audio is automatically muted. You have to turn on the audio yourself.

The player automatically selects a streaming quality. You can adjust this by selecting a higher or lower resolution in the dropdown menu. Higher resolution is theoretically better, but requires a better internet connection to stream smoothly. 1080p is equal to ‘HD’ (high definition). Selecting a different streaming quality can take up to 30 seconds to adjust.

Please note: the quality you experience is not only dependent on the MtM player, but also determined by the device you are streaming on. And also by the cable you are using to connect your device to an external display.

For some MtM films you can choose between English and Dutch subtitles. You can switch these on and/or off yourself in the player. You can find the available options per film in the online player and in the programme overview.

Sometimes, there is only one subtitle language available and subtitles may be part of the movie. In that case you cannot switch them on and/or off yourself.