Met Opera on Demand: Student Access - FAQs

- For HD video, a download speed of at least 3mpbs is recommended.

- Run a speed test to check your internet speed.

- If you are using Wifi, try connecting to the internet with a hard-wired connection.

- Close other applications on your device and disconnect other devices using the same WiFi network.

- Reset and/or turn off and restart your modem and/or router.

- Move your devices closer to your WiFi router.

- If you are having problems in one browser (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explore or Safari), try a different one.

- Clear browser cache and/or close & restart your browser.

- Close other tabs in your browser.

- Ensure you are using the latest updates of your preferred browser.

- Ensure browser zoom is set to 100% (actual size.)

- Update your internet browser to the latest version

- Update Adobe Flash to the latest version.

- Update your device's operating system (OS) to the latest version.

To watch Met Opera on Demand streaming video content on your computer or mobile device, you must have:

- A broadband internet connection with a recommended minimum download speed of 25 mbps for HD video content.

- A desktop or laptop computer running either Microsoft Windows (XP or higher) or Mac OS X (version 10.6 or later) OR an Apple mobile device running iOS (version 7.0 or later) or Android mobile device running Android xxx

- One of the following supported internet browsers: Chrome (version 42 or higher); Firefox (version 37 or higher); Internet Explorer (version 9 or higher); Safari (version 7 or higher). In most cases, we recommend updating your preferred browser to the latest available version to ensure the most reliable and secure experience.

- Javascript and Cookies enabled in your browser.

A fast and reliable internet connection is required for Met Opera on Demand. At a minimum, your download speed must be 1.5 mbps. For optimal playback, especially for HD videos, we recommend download speeds of at least 25 mbps. 

There are numerous free tools available online to test your internet connection speed, including Speedtest.net.

Please note that many factors determine the download speed available via your internet connection at any given time. Even if an online speed test tool indicates that you have, for example, a download speed of 5 mbps - you may not actually be streaming Met Opera on Demand videos at that speed.

Please refer to the information above to ensure that your computer meets the site's technical requirements, that your internet connection speed is sufficient, that your settings for Adobe Flash are adjusted appropriately, and that all other suggestions detailed above have been considered.

First make sure you have selected a subtitle language from the Subtitles menu and that the subtitles are not turned off. It may also be necessary to refresh your browser. If they are still not appearing, clear your browser cache and restart the browser. If you use different internet browsers, please check for subtitles in each before contacting customer support for further assistance.

Student Access users must first login through their school or library's website. Once authenticated by their school, users must come to the Met website using the authenticated links

When successfully logged in to Met Opera on Demand: Student Access, you will see your school's name in the upper left corner of every Met Opera on Demand web page that you visit and the URL in your browser window should reflect a connection via your school's proxy (although the exact structure of the URL will vary depending upon the details of the proxy setup.)

To access the resource from an IP address that your school has provided to the Met, the direct URL is http://metopera.org/season/on-demand/. Note, is is important that this URL never include "www" as that can interfere with the auto-login mechansim in place on the Met's website. 

If you navigate away from or close the proxy connection, you will need to reconnect using the same steps originally used to arrive at Met Opera on Demand: Student Access. In most cases, you simply need to return to your library's catalog and find your school's unique URL for accessing the site again. When you visit pages on the Met's website outside of Met Opera on Demand: Student Access, you will be prompted and effectively logged out of your school's Met Opera on Demand: Student Access connection. If you have trouble returning to Met Opera on Demand: Student Access, you will likely need to clear your browser cache, ensure all cookies are deleted from the browser, and try again.

You do not need an individual username or password to access Met Opera on Demand: Student Access through your school. In most cases, you will automatically be logged in to the Met website when accessing the resource from a university computer. Or you will use the same username and password set up through your school to access its library resources via their proxy or similar mechanism, and should find the appropriate contact at your school or library if you forget your username or password.

Yes, all Met Opera on Demand videos offer English subtitles. Also, the most recent HD video additions to the Met Opera on Demand catalog offer subtitles in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and/or Swedish as well. Click on the Subtitles menu to choose from the available subtitles, or to turn off subtitles. Users can switch between any of these options at any time during playback of an opera (even in full-screen.)

Yes. The Subtitles menu in the player offers an option for Subtitles Off.

Yes. Most HD videos offer subtitles in multiple languages, with the most recent HD videos offering subtitles in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and/or Swedish as well as English. Click on the Subtitles menu in the player to choose from the available subtitles, or to turn off subtitles. Users can switch between any of these options at any time during playback of an opera.

Yes. Met Opera on Demand is accessible worldwide, provided your device and internet connection meet the site's technical requirements. Please note that a small number of Met Opera on Demand titles are geo-restricted due to copyright and other clearance issues. Click here for a list of geo-restricted titles and their availability.

In 2006, the Metropolitan Opera began filming select performances in high-definition video, offering the highest quality in terms of picture clarity and sound. Most of those HD videos are available on Met Opera on Demand offering a viewing experience on your computer that delivers noticeably sharper images and improved sound quality.

High-definition videos on Met Opera on Demand present in a 16:9 aspect ratio, while standard-definition videos present in a 4:3 aspect ratio. Users may need to adjust their screen resolution settings to find the right setting for enjoying Met Opera on Demand videos on any given computer.

Quite possibly. New video and audio titles are added to the Met Opera on Demand catalog every month. Please email us at ondemand@metopera.org with inquiries about specific operas/performances.

No. While this is a feature available on the regular Met Opera on Demand website, it is not offered for Met Opera on Demand: Student Access users (because multiple users are accessing the resource through a single account via their school.)

No, all Met Opera on Demand products are only available for streaming through the Met Opera website.

As of June 2015, Met Opera on Demand: Student Access is fully accessible on Android and iOS (Apple) tablets and smartphones. At this time, Student Access users do not have access to the Met Opera on Demand iPad app.

If you already have your computer connected to your television, you should be able to view the Met Opera on Demand videos on your television with connected audio as well.

For assistance with Met Opera on Demand: Student Access, please send an email to studentaccessemail@metopera.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible. For urgent support matters, your library staff will have direct contact information for the proper contacts at the Met.