Help 

Video Mail Help

User Guide Table of Contents

1. Setting Up Your Computer
2. Video Mail Features
3. Downloading and Installing the Program
4. Launching the Program
5. Signing in
6. Signing out
7. The Wizards
8. Video Setup Wizard
9. Audio Setup Wizard
10. Create a Basic Video Mail
11. Create a Greeting Card Video Mail
12. Create a Story Teller Video Mail
13. Setup
14. Help
15. Minimize
16. Close
17. Reaching Your Storage Quota
18. Uninstall the Application
19. Feature tour
20. Video Mail Frequently Asked Questions

Likewise, you will need Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 and above. 

The product will run in Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, or Windows XP (Professional or Home). Make certain that your webcam and microphone are plugged in and the proper drivers are installed. Video Mail will not run without them.

In order for your recipient to play the Video Mail you send, they must have Windows Media Player installed on their computer. This program is a standard application in Windows, however if your recipient does not have it, direct them to:

You will have 30 MB of storage for your account.
If you run out of space before the emails expire at the end of the 30 day time period, you will receive an error message. (See Reaching Your Storage Quota)

3. Downloading and Installing the Program

1. Log in to webmail.rcn.com and click the videomail tab.
2. Follow the instructions to install the product.
3. Save the setup file to a location you will remember, such as your desktop, or "My Documents".
4. Next, double-click on the file and follow the download instructions to install the product.
   Note:
   You must be at least 13 years of age to use Video Mail. If you are not of proper age, please ask your parents for guidance in using this product.

1. After you have installed Video Mail, it can be maximized from your system tray. To do so, just click on the icon.
2. If the program is not in the system tray navigate to the Start menu, choose Programs and choose Video Mail, or double-click on the desktop icon.

Sign-In screen

Upon opening Video Mail, you will see the Sign In screen. Video Mail utilizes your subscriber email address and password to verify your subscription. The username that you enter is the email address appears in the "From" field when the video mail is sent.

1. Type your email address in the username field.
2. Type your Password in the Password Field.
3. Press Sign In.
   Note:
   If you type in the wrong email address and Password, you will see the following dialog box:
   
   

   

   Don't forget to check your spelling as you re-type your email address and Password!
   
   
4. You will now be at the Video Set-up Wizard screen.

Since the username of the person signing in to Video Mail is the email address from which the video is received, another user in the family may want to send a video from their email address. This is easy.

1. Press the Setup button.
   
   
    
   Setup screen
   
   
   
2. Press Sign Out. You will receive the following dialog box:
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Press Yes to sign out.
4. The Sign out button will now change to Sign In
5. Press Sign In
6. Type the new user name and password and press Sign In
   Tip:
   Want Video Mail to remember your user name and password, after you close it? Simply check the "Sign In automatically box" on the Sign In page!

Once you are signed in, Video Mail keeps some of your settings until another user signs in in your place. This includes the pictures you import in Story Teller and the "Send Copy to Myself" setting on the Address and Send page.

Once you have successfully typed in your user name and password you will be taken to the Video Wizard Screen, which will guide you in choosing your video camera. Upon finishing the Video Wizard, you will immediately be guided into the Audio Wizard Screen for proper Audio Setup.

1. If you already have a Webcam installed, Video Mail will recognize it prior to navigating to the Video Wizard. However, if you want to choose a different camera, pull down the Webcam Menu and choose the appropriate one.
   
   
    
   Video Wizard Setup
   
   
2. Press Next.
   
   
   
   Video Wizard Setup Tips
   You will now see the Setup Tips screen.



3. Press Next. You will now be on the WebCam Settings screen.
   
   
   
   Video Wizard Webcam Settings
   
   
   Note:If your Webcam needs adjustment to the Brightness, Contrast or other settings, press the Advanced Settings button. You will see a Properties screen that looks something like this:
   
   

   
   Webcam Control Panel
   
   

   (Individual Webcams will have different Property Windows. For more information, check the manufacturer's user manual for your WebCam. Once you have made your adjustments, press Close or Ok to return to the Wizard.)
   
   
   Tip:
   If you are having trouble plugging in your Webcam, or seeing yourself after you make a choice in the Video Wizard Setup, refer to the manufacturer's user manual for that Webcam.
   
   
   Tip:
   To create the highest quality video mail, in the Advanced Settings panel look for checkboxes that are labeled, "Auto" or "Full Auto". Turning off these options will allow Video Mail audio and video to properly sync when recording.
   
   
4. Press Next. Video Setup will now be complete.

  9. Audio Setup Wizard

1. Press Next. You will now be at the Audio Setup Wizard.
2. Press Next to get to the Speaker Setup screen.
   
   
   
   Speaker Setup
   
   
3. Pull down the menu under Option #1 to select your speakers.
4. Press the Begin Speaker Volume Test button and adjust the volume of the speakers by moving the volume bar to the right for louder and the left for softer.
   
   
   Tip:
   If you are having trouble hearing the audio after adjusting the volume, check the manufacturer's user manual for your speakers.
   
   
5. Press Next to get to the Select Microphone Screen.
6. Pull down the menu and choose the proper microphone.
   
   
   
   Select Microphone
   
   
   Tip:
   If, after choosing the microphone you are unable to record, check the manufacturer's user manual for your microphone or webcam.
   
   
7. Press Next to forward to the Adjust Microphone Volume screen.
8. Adjust the volume of the microphone by moving the volume bar to the right for louder and the left for softer.
    
   Tip:
   The Optimal Range bar on the right will indicate the amount of sound the microphone is taking in. Yellow on the bar indicates optimum sound.
   
   
9. Press Next. The Setup is complete. You are now ready to use Video Mail!

10. Create a Basic Video Mail

In Basic mode you can send a video of yourself to your friends and family. Mom getting only emails and the occasional phone call? Well now she not only gets an email, she gets you! And the best part is, it's just as easy as pressing record on your VCR!

1. The Welcome to Video Mail screen will appear.
   
   
   
   Basic Video Mail introduction
   
   
2. Press Next. You will be at the Record and Preview screen.
   
   
   
   Basic Video Mail
   
   
3. Press Record.
4. There will be a 3-2-1 countdown in your Video window. Smile! Look into the camera and speak into the microphone. After the count hits 1, you are recording a video! You will have 45 Seconds to record your video.
   
   
   
   Basic Video Mail recording in progress
   
   
5. When you are finished, press Stop.
6. If you want to play back the video, press Preview.
   
   
   Tip:
   If you don't like the results of your video, no problem! Just press the record button again and record over the previous video.
   
   
7. When you are satisfied with your video, press Next.
8. You will now be at the Address and Send screen.
   
   
   
   Address and Send
   
   
9. Type the recipient(s) email address in the To field. For multiple addresses, you can separate them with a semi-colon, comma or space.
10. Type the subject matter in the Subject field.
11. Type a note for the recipient in the Message field.
    
    
    Tip:
    To send a copy of your video mail, click in the box next to "Send a copy to myself". Both you and your recipient will receive a copy of the Video Mail.
    
    
12. When you have completed the message press Send.
13. To send to another recipient, press Back. Otherwise, press Next and you will now be back at the Basic record screen.

11. Create a Greeting Card Video Mail

Now your video becomes the personal touch included in an email Greeting Card! You can choose from over 40 different greeting cards to send to friends and family. From Birthday to Anniversary, Holidays to Humor, cards sent across the web now include your face and narration. So get those vocal cords tuned up! "Happy Birthday to you", here we come!

1. Press the Greeting Card button at the top of your screen.
2. The Video Mail Greeting Card screen will appear with instructions for creating a Greeting Card.
   
   
   
   Greeting Card mode
   
   
3. Press Next to continue. The Greeting Card categories will appear.
   
   
   
   Select Category
   
   
4. Click a category icon to choose the type of card you are sending.
5. Click on a card to select. The card will appear in the window on the left.
   
   
   
   Select Card
   
   
6. Press Next.
7. You will now be at the Customize Greeting Card screen.
   
   
   
   Add custom text to your Card
   
   
8. Fill out the Message Box with your own message.
9. Choose the font, size and color for your message.
10. Press the Place Text button. If you do not press Place Text, the text will not appear in your Greeting Card.
11. Press Next. You will be at the Record and Preview Greeting screen.
    
    
    
    Record your video
    
    
12. Press Record.
13. There will be a 3-2-1 countdown in your Video window. After you see the number 1, your audio will begin recording even though both the front and back of the Greeting Card display on the screen.
14. After the "back" of the Greeting card displays, the video will come back to you, so smile and look into the camera. You are recording!
15. When you are finished, press Stop.
    
    
    Tip:
    If you utilized the "Customize Greeting Card" option, after pressing Stop, Video Mail will continue to record for a few seconds in order to display your text.
    
    
16. If you want to play back your video, press Preview.
17. Press Next. You will now be at the Address and Send screen.
    
    
    
    Address and Send your Greeting Card
    
    
    Tip:
    To send a copy of your video mail, click in the box next to "Send a copy to myself". Both you and your recipient will receive a copy of the Video Mail.
    
    
18. Type the recipient(s) email address in the To field. For multiple addresses, you can separate them with a semi-colon, comma or space.
19. Type the subject matter in the Subject field.
20. Type a note for the recipient in the Message field.
21. When you have completed the message, press Send.
22. To send to another recipient, press Back. Otherwise, press Next and you will now be back at the Basic record screen.

12. Story Teller Video Mail

With Video Mail Story Teller, you can either record your pictures or record yourself! Add a special voice-over narration to the pictures from your family vacation or your daughter's wedding and use your webcam and microphone to provide video interludes you narrate! Great for families!

1. Press the Story Teller button.
2. The Welcome to Story Teller screen will appear with instructions for the process. After reading them, press Next.
   
   
   
   Story Teller introduction
   
   
3. You will now be at the Import Pictures screen. You will notice that there is a bottom window to the Video Mail application. This is where your photos will be displayed.
   
   
   
   Import pictures into Story Teller
   
   
   Tip:
   For instructions on how to download photos onto your computer, see the manufacturer's user manual for your digital camera. Once you've downloaded the pictures, remember the folder you put them in. You will need to open that folder to import the pictures.
   
   
4. To select a photo, press the Import Pictures button. The Import menu will appear.
   
   
   
   Select pictures to import
   
   
5. Either double-click on a picture or click Import. The picture(s) you choose will now be in the Import Pictures area. Repeat this process up to 10 times.
   
   
   Note:
   Video Mail has a ten-picture limit per email. If you need to send more than 10 pictures, send the current 10 and then import 10 new pictures, and create a second video mail.
   
   
6. Once you have imported pictures, you can choose a picture to record by simply clicking on it. It will then appear in the video screen window.
7. To delete a picture right-click on the picture you want to delete and choose "Delete Picture".
8. Press the "Back to Webcam" button to show your video again.
9. Press Next. You will be at the Recording Instructions page. Now is a great time to practice clicking on the individual pictures you want in your video.
   
   
   
   Story Teller recording instructions
   
   
10. When you are finished with your trial run and are ready to start recording your Story Teller Video Mail, press Next. You will be at the Record and Preview Story screen.
    
    
    
    Record Story Teller Video Mail
    
    
11. Press Record.
12. There will be a 3-2-1 countdown in your Video window.
13. Smile! Look into the camera and speak into the microphone. After the 1 appears, you are recording a video!
14. Now, click on each picture you want to include in your story. Don't forget your voice is being recorded even when there is a picture on the screen.
15. When you are finished, press Stop.
16. If you want to play back the video, press Preview.
17. Press Next. You will now be at the Address and Send screen.
    
    
    
    Address and Send your Story Teller Video Mail
    
    
18. Type the recipient(s) email address in the To field.
19. Type the subject matter in the Subject field.
20. Type a note for the recipient in the Message field.
    
    
    Tip:
    To send a copy of your video mail, click in the box next to "Send a copy to myself". Both you and your recipient will receive a copy of the Video Mail.
    
    
21. When you have completed the message, press Send.
22. To send to another recipient, press Back. Otherwise, press Next and you will now be back at the Basic record screen.

13. Setup

Setup panel

The Setup button will take you to the Setup screen where you can:

• Sign Out/In as a different user
• Choose another camera in Video Setup
• Choose or adjust the speakers and microphone in Audio Setup

14. Help

Help panel

To obtain help in using Video Mail, press the ? button in the upper right hand corner of the Video Mail screen. You will be taken to the Help Screen:

• For detailed instruction on the product, press the User Guide button.
• For Frequently Asked Questions, press the Online Help button.
• For a tour of Video Mail, press the Feature Tour button.

16. Close

To close Video Mail, press the X in the upper right corner of the Video Mail Window. Video Mail will close completely and will no longer appear in the system tray.

17. Reaching Your Storage Quota

Your Video Mail account is limited to 30 MB of storage. The Video mail that you send is kept on the server for 30 days for either you or your recipient to retrieve. Every night, the server is purged of expired emails.

If you reach your storage quota, you will receive a warning at the following times:

• When launching the program
• When you log in
• When you press Send
• When you press Basic, Greeting Card or Story Teller

18. Uninstall the Application

• To uninstall Video Mail, press the Start button on your Windows Taskbar.
• Choose Settings.
• Choose Control Panel.
• Double-click on Add or Remove Programs.
• Choose Video Mail from the list and press the Change/Remove button. Windows will uninstall the program.

19. Feature Tour

Note: These feature tours may take a minute or two to load depending on your connection speed.