Getting Started What is Video Mail? Video Mail is an exciting new service offered by NetZero, which lets you send a video clip to your family or friends as easily as you do email. You can record a video using your webcam, record an audio message using a microphone (built in to many computers), or upload a previously saved video file from your computer, camcorder, or digital camera. The recipient will get an email containing a link to your video, and there is nothing for them to download, so there's no waiting! They just click and view. |
How much does Video Mail cost? As a NetZero member, your account already includes Video Mail free of charge. MegaMail or MegaMail Plus users get to enjoy longer video recording times as well as larger upload sizes. For a comparison of video file sizes based on NetZero service level, click here. Non NetZero members can also use Video Mail by signing up for a FREE NetZero account. You can sign-up for your FREE account here. |
What are the system requirements? To use Video Mail, your computer must meet the system requirements for NetZero service. You will also need: Internet Browser: In order to access and use Video Mail, you need to have one of the following Internet Browser versions installed on your computer:
Adobe Flash: To create, view and play Video Mail, you need to have Adobe Flash 8 or above. If you do not have Adobe Flash, you will be prompted to download it the first time you go to compose a Video Mail. Webcam and/or Microphone: To record a Video Mail you will need a webcam and/or a microphone. Most webcams come with a built in microphone. If you do not have a webcam, but do have a microphone, you can record and send an audio only Video Mail. You can shop for and purchase a webcam here. |
What is the Flash Player? NetZero Video Mail uses the Adobe Flash Player to convert and play your video mail messages. Therefore, you will need Flash Player 8 or above in order to both record and view any video mail. If you aren't sure if you have Flash Player or whether you have the most current version, you can check by simply trying to compose a video message. You will be prompted if you need to upgrade or install Flash Player. You can download the latest version of Flash Player for free by clicking here. |
How do I sign-up for Video Mail? As a NetZero member, your account includes Video Mail free. You can upgrade to MegaMail or MegaMail Plus to enjoy longer video recording times as well as larger upload sizes. For a comparison of video file sizes based on NetZero service level, click here. Non NetZero members can also use Video Mail by signing up for a FREE NetZero account. You can sign-up for your FREE account here. |
Do I need special equipment? To record a personal Video Mail, you will need to have a webcam or similar device connected to your computer. If you don't have a webcam, you can purchase one here. Find out more about setting up your webcam here. You will also need a microphone to record audio. Most webcams come with a microphone, however, if you do not have a webcam but have a microphone, you can record an audio only Video Mail. You can also upload to Video Mail an audio or video file from you computer or digital camera (must be attached to your computer). To find out more about acceptable file types, please click here. |
Can I use Video Mail over dial-up? NetZero Video Mail works with all levels of NetZero Internet service - from Free connection all the way to our DSL service, however, Video Mail works best with a broadband connection. |
Sending and Receiving Videos How do I record a video using my webcam? NetZero's Video Mail interface has all of the tools you need to record a video using your Webcam so you can send it to your friends or family. To create a video message:
If you like, you can save your video as a draft by clicking the Save Draft button, and send it at a later time. Please note if you save your video as a draft you will not be able to edit it. However, you will be able to record a new video and edit other fields just like any email. |
Why do I see a Flash Player message when composing a Video Mail? Since NetZero uses Flash Player to record and playback video messages, you will need to have it installed on your computer, and have it configured to work with your webcam and microphone. When you first compose a Video Mail, you will see a message box from Flash Player asking you to allow it to access your camera and microphone. You must click on Allow in order to record your video message. Check the box next to Remember to prevent this message from appearing every time you want to compose a Video Mail. If you select Deny, you not be able to record your message. Click here to learn how to configure your Flash Player settings. |
How do I upload a Video? You can easily upload videos from your computer or those you've saved from a digital camera using Video Mail.
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Can I change my video once I've sent it? No. Once you press the send button, the video is stored in our servers, and you will not be able to edit them later. |
How long will my video be viewable? Your video will be available for a different amount of time after it has been recorded, depending on your service level:
Once the availability is over, the video will be permanently deleted. |
Can I delete a video I sent? No. Any Video Mail you sent will remain available for viewing for as long as your service level allows. While you may delete a Video from your Sent folder, this does not delete the video from our servers. |
How do I view a video? If you've received a Video Mail notification, you can view it by clicking on the link within the email message. This will take you to a page where you will be able to view the video without worrying about downloading it first. You can visit the page as often as you like, and view the video as many times as you wish within the availability period based on the sender's service level. |
Can I save videos I've received? No. The videos are not downloadable, so you will not be able to save a copy of them to your computer. |
Can I send videos to anyone, or only other NetZero members? You can send your video messages to anyone with a valid email address. Since your video is stored on our servers, we include a link that the recipient uses to view the video. Anyone with an Internet connection and an email address can receive your video. |
Are there any limits to video duration, size and availability? Yes. Videos may not exceed limits time for recording, or size for uploading, and will be available for different lengths of time, depending on your NetZero service level:
If you would like to upgrade your service, please visit NetZero account page. |
Can I send and receive videos from any computer? Yes. As long as you log-in to Message Center, and the computer you're using has either a Webcam or you have videos stored on it, you can send a Video Mail from any computer with Internet access. |
Can I send only audio? Yes. If you don't have a Webcam, or don't want to send a video, you can just send an Audio Email. Recording and sending an audio message the same as recording and sending a Video, only you record audio only, or upload an audio file. |
Can I prevent my video from being forwarded? No. If the recipient wishes to forward the link to your Video Mail, they may do so. Your Video Mail is just like any other message sent over the Internet, and as such there is always the chance that what you send may be forwarded to unintended recipients. |
I received an offensive video, what can I do? Please forward the original email that contained the link or video to us at: abuse@support.netzero.com. The NetZero Security and Abuse Team will review the content and take the necessary steps required to resolve the issue. |
Troubleshooting My Webcam is not detected. If NetZero Video Mail is unable to detect your Webcam, it is likely because it is either not connected, or improperly configured. Sometimes simply rebooting your computer will solve this matter. Check to be sure the Webcam is securely connected to your computer, and that it is turned on. If the Webcam is properly connected, confirm that you have the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, and that it is properly configured (click here to learn more). If you have Flash Player installed and working, try re-booting your computer. This will often solve temporary problems. If you've re-booted and your Webcam is still not detected, you may need to uninstall and reinstall it. Note: NetZero does not provide support for Webcams. If you continue to experience trouble with your Webcam, please contact the vendor for more help. Below are the four most popular Webcam vendors. If your vendor is in this list, click on their name to be taken to their Web site. LogitechMicrosoft Creative Labtec |
My microphone is not detected. If NetZero Video Mail is unable to detect your microphone, it is likely because it is set not connected, or improperly configured. Sometimes simply rebooting your computer will solve this matter. If you have an external microphone, check to be sure it is securely connected to your computer. If the microphone is properly connected, confirm that your Flash Player is configured for the microphone (click here to learn more). If Flash Player is correctly configured, try re-booting your computer. This will often solve temporary problems. If you've re-booted and NetZero Video Mail still does not detect your microphone, check to be sure your computer detects it. Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP: Note: You will need Microsoft DirectX 9 to perform this test. To check your DirectX version, please close all applications, click on the Windows Start button, select Run, type: dxdiag.exe and click on OK. The DirectX version will be listed on the window that opens. If you don't have DirectX 9, please click here to download it for free.
Windows Vista:
Mac:
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How do I configure my Flash Player settings? When you first attempt to compose a video mail, you will see a message asking you to allow Flash Player access to your webcam and microphone. You must choose Allow in order to continue. To prevent the Flash Player message from appearing every time you compose a video message, be sure to check the box next to Remember . Click Close when you are finished. If you have any questions about how to use the Flash Settings, just click the blue question mark icon at the top-right of the box. Flash Player also allows you to select a webcam (if you have more than one) and set the video recoding volume for your video mail. To change these settings, right-click on the Video Mail screen, and select Settings.
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I am having problems viewing a video. If you can't view a video, it's most likely because you don't have the Flash plug-in installed. NetZero Video Mail requires the latest Flash plug-in to view and record videos. To download it, visit http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer. If you are still having problems viewing a video, check to be sure your Internet connection is still active by trying to visit a new Web page. Keep in mind some video messages will be permanently deleted from our servers after their availability has expired (this is determined by the sender's service level. For more information, please click here. If you are trying to view a message after this time, you will not be able to do so. |
I see the video but can't hear anything. There could be several reasons you aren't hearing any audio: 1. If you have external speakers or are using a headset, check to make sure they are securely connected to your computer and are turned on. Windows users:
Mac users:
2. If you have built in speakers, or your external speakers or headset are connected and turned on, check that your audio is not set to mute, and adjust the volume. 3. Check the volume setting on the video message. The player which opens when you view a video has a volume adjustment, be sure it is not set to minimum, and that the player is not set to mute. 4. Confirm whether the video has sound. Your video message may not have any sound recorded. If you are able to hear sound from other videos, or from other applications, it may be that the message did not have any audio recorded. |
Will my firewall affect sending or receiving video? No. Any firewalls or other security software which are already configured to allow you Internet access will not affect your being able to send or receive videos. Since everything is stored on the NetZero servers, all you need is to click the link and view the video. |
The link to my video isn't working. If the link to a video you received is not working, please be sure that it has not expired. Some videos will be permanently deleted from our servers after their availability has expired (this is determined by the sender's service level. For more information, please click here ).If you are trying to view a message after that time, you will see a message telling you that the Video Mail has expired. If it is within the availability period and you are unable to view the video, it may be that there is a temporary problem with our servers. Try connecting again at a later time. |
I get a "File Type Unaccepted" error when uploading a video or audio file. When uploading a saved video or audio to send, NetZero's software converts it into a Flash video (.flv) file, which is then stored on our servers. While NetZero's Video Mail is able to convert almost all media file types, there may be some which are not allowed. If you attempt to upload a video or audio which cannot be converted, you will see this message. Try saving the file as a different type, or use a third-party program to convert it into an acceptable file type and try to upload it again. The file types supported by NetZero Video Mail includes (but is not limited to): .3gp |
I get a "Video exceeds maximum size" error when uploading a video. The video messages you send are restricted by both size and time according to your service level:
You will not be able to upload any video that exceeds either the maximum file size or duration for your service level. If you attempt to upload a video which is bigger than either of these, you'll see this warning. If possible, you will need to edit it to meet the limits. | ||||||||||||