Video Setup
V3mail works with almost all video devices designed for Windows ranging from capture cards, parallel cameras, USB cameras and others.  All it needs to be is a Video for Windows compliant device and installed correctly, then you can record video messages & take snapshots.  Your recipient needs at least Real Player 8.0 to view the video messages.

Video Hardware installation
The installation of the video device is completely independant from V3mail.  There are 2 requirements for a video device to work with V3mail.  The first is that the video device is a Video for Windows (VfW) compliant device.  The second is that the device has been installed correctly on the system.  After installing the video device, following the instructions provided by the device manufacturer, V3mail will be able to take image snapshots and record video messages.

Recording sounds in your Video message
To record sound in your video messages, it is necessary to have the sound set up correctly.  Click here to go to the sound setup.

Selecting the Video device
By default, V3mail will select the first video device detected on the  system.  If there are other video devices installed and you would like to use one of those, then select it from the menu Options -> Video Driver.

How to Use
  If you have a Video for Windows compatible PC video capture device installed on your system you can click on the Video message icon in the toolbar of the main window.    The Video window is used to record your Video message or to take a snapshot.   It automatically compresses the video file or snapshot when attached.

fig 1 Video Window

Video Recording

Select message encoder
In Options -> Program Settings "Voice & Video Encoders," select the output filetype of your video message (default Real Media Normal Quality).  If you are using the Real Video encoder, you can further select the quality of the video you want to record.   The lower the quality, the higher the compression, and the smaller the resultant <.rm> file.

Select Real encoder Quality
If you selected the Real Media Encoder, on the right is a drop down where you can select the video quality {"Superb", "High", "Normal", "Good"}.  "Superb" provides the best image quality but largest filesize.  "Good" provides the worst image quality but  the smallest filesize.

Start Recording
Click on the Rec button to start the recording.   The total time and size of the voice recording will updated while recording.

Stop recording
Click on the Stop button to stop the recording.

Attach the Video message
Click on the Attach button to close the Video window and attach the video message.

Rename the video message file
Click in the filename: field and type the name you want to give the video message.   

Attach multiple video messages
You will also be able to attach multiple video messages whether or not you rename the files.  The program will automatically assign a unique filename for every attachment.

Video Snapshot

If you decide to create a snapshot instead of recording a video

Take Snapshot
Click on the Camera button. You can retake the photo as many times as necessary.  The photo can be previewed in the preview window.  Click the Stop button to stop preview mode and return to live preview mode.

Attach the Snapshot
Click on the Attach button to close the Video window and attach the snapshot.

Rename the snapshot file
Click in the filename: field and type the name you want to give the snapshot.   

Attach multiple snapshots
You will also be able to attach multiple snapshots whether or not you rename the files.   The program will automatically assign a unique filename for every attachment.

Codec Window

Click the Codec button to open the Video COder DECoder (CODEC) window.  This window will allow you to change the compressor & quality of compression (0 - 100) used in reducing the filesize of the video message.  (*NOTE:  the compressors listed are codecs which are installed on your computer system and may not be present on the recipients system, which may render the video message unplayable by the recipient.   However the compressor used by default is installed on all Windows systems so it will always be playable by the recipient)  When in doubt, let the program use the default compressor.  IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO USE THE WINDOWS CODECS AT THIS TIME.  Support is only provided for future functionality.  Use the default Real Media encoder for video messages.

fig 2 Codec window

Format Window

The format window is used to change the resolution & color depth of the Video message.  The resolutions available to you will depend on the video capture device installed on your system & selected in the program.  Also, this window will vary among different video devices since the video device manufacturer is responsible for creating the Format window.  The screenshot below is used only as an example.

fig 3 Format window

Source Window

The source window's purpose varies among video capture devices.  Like the format window above, this window is developed by the video device manufacturer.   For most PC cameras you can adjust the quality of the video picture.  In video capture card devices you can additionaly select the video source.  The screenshot below is used only as an example.

fig 4 Source window

F.A.Q/Troubleshooting

Q: Do I need to have a video camera?
A: It isn't necessary to have a video device to use V3mail.  All you need is a sound card to send voice messages.  If you would like to record video messages or take video snapshots then you require a video device.

Q: I want to create REAL video messages, but the Program settings window won't let me select it.  How can I create Real video messages?
A: You need to install the Real Video plugin.  Go to the V3mail website and download it.

Q: What type of video device works with V3mail?
A: Any video camera that supports Video For Windows can be used as a video device.  This includes parallel port, serial, & USB PC video cameras.  If you have a PC video capture card and a video device such as a camcorder, then you can use V3mail to create video messages or video snapshots.

Q: I use a CAMCORDER & PC capture card for video, but I dont get any sound.  What's wrong?
A: The camcorder works as a video source only.  The microphone input of your sound card is how the sound comes in. You have two options for input sound. 

You can:
1.  connect the audio OUTPUT of your camcorder to the microphone INPUT using a RCA - stereo jack cord.  Make sure you connect the lines to the correct ports, if not, you can ruin your camcorder and/or PC sound card.
2.  OR connect a microphone to the microphone input of your sound card and use that as your audio source.
Either way should work.

Q: How do I setup / install my video device to work with V3mail?
A: The installation of the video device is independant of V3mail.  If you have successfully installed the video device on your system and are using it in other programs, then you will also be able to use it with V3mail.

Q: Does my recipient need to have V3mail or other special software to play video messages?
A: V3mail does not need to be installed on you recipient's computer to view your video messages. But to play Real Video messages they may need to download the latest FREE version of the Real Media Player from http://www.real.com if it is not already on the system

Q: How do I attach more than 1 video message or video snapshot to my email?
A: V3mail allows you to make more than 1 video message/snapshot per email & will automatically give a unique name to each of your additional video messages/snapshots.

Q: How do I rename my video message or video snapshot?
A: V3mail allows you to rename your voice message in the Voice Message window.

Q: Why does the video window constantly flicker when I try to create a video message?
A: The video device you are using is incompatible with V3mail.  Despite the fact that the camera supports Video For Windows, it won't record video messages or take snapshots.  You will have to use a different device.

Q: When I click the Video button, I get the message, "The Specified Video Device was not Detected. . ."  What's wrong?
A: First, make sure the Video Device is correctly powered up and connected to the computer system.  Next ensure that you have selected the correct Video driver for the connected Video Device by selecting from the menu Options -> Video Driver.   In most cases, the Video device is not connected properly to the computer.   Otherwise you may have multiple Video drivers installed on your system and you have to select the one matching the connected Video device.  A reboot may be all that's needed in some cases.

Q: I recorded a voice message, played the message back, but when I clicked the Attach button nothing happened.  Why isn't the voice message being attached? or I sent a <avi> message using the Windows Video encoder and the recipient can't play the message, what should the recipient do?
A: You (or your recipients) need to re-install the Multimedia component of the Windows installation. Proceed only if you have the Windows Installation CD on hand.

To re-install the Multimedia component
1. In Windows, go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove program.
2. Click on the Windows Setup tab
3. Double click on the Multimedia compenent

If the Audio Compression box is empty go to 7.
4. Unselect the Audio Compression box, click "OK"
5. In the Add/Remove Programs window, click "APPLY"
6. Double click on the Multimedia compenent again

7. Put a check next to the Audio Compression box, click "OK"
8. In the Add/Remove Programs window, click "OK"

At this point the Windows Installation CD will be needed. This method of installation should work for all version of Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP.  

Hardware Compatibility

Any VFW ( Video for Windows ) compatible device supported in Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, XP. All types of interfaces are supported. USB, parallel, capture card etc.

Suggested Cameras: Logitech Quickcam Express USB ( $30 USD )
For Camcorders: A capture card (PCI / ISA / AGP) is recommended ( $50 - $100 USD ).  A microphone is also needed since the input to most catpure cards is Video only and NO Audio.