About VDOMail

Welcome to VDOMail!

VDOMail supercharges your e-mail to bring you closer to friends, family and business associates. You can now record video and audio messages and include them as part of any e-mail message. Recapture your own personal communication style once lost in impersonal e-mail.

If you wish to send a video message with VDOMail you need a camera or video capture device, a capture card and a microphone (unless it comes built-in with your camera).

You can also send an audio-only message if you don't have the necessary video capture equipment. In this case, the recipient will hear your voice only and display a picture of your choice.


Terms You Should Understand Before You Begin

In order to make the most of your VDOMail we suggest that you spend a few moments understanding the following terms and concepts:

Recipient

The receiver of a message.

Video Messages
A video message is a message that you have recorded with a video capture device, such as a video camera, connected to your computer.  While you are recording your computer VDOMail compresses the video. This means that your message requires less storage space on disk and that it will be transmitted faster across the Internet making the best use of available bandwidth.

Click here [image] if you wish to record and send a video message.

Audio-only Messages
When you want to record a voice message without video because you don't have a video recording device, or you don't wish to send video, you can use VDOMail to send an audio-only message.

Click here [image]  if you wish to record and send an audio-only message.

Postcards
When you send an audio-only message the recipient will see a motionless picture while the audio message plays. This picture is called a "Postcard". You can decide what picture you want to send by choosing it from the Postcard Gallery. VDOMail has a ready-made collection of Postcards in the Postcard Gallery. You can add your own Postcards to the Postcard Gallery by importing pictures of your choice or by letting VDOMail capture a picture with your camera.

Click here [image] if you want to create a new Postcard.

Decoders
VDOMail compresses your video message using a special compression mechanism, called a codec. In order for the recipient to view your message they need a decoder to decompress the compressed video.

When you send the message you can choose to instruct VDOMail to send or not to send the decoders, as follows:

•	If you know for sure that the recipient does not have a decoder instruct VDOMail to send the decoders as another attachment in the message. This means though that the message will be quite large (Approx. 270 KB overhead)

•	If you are not sure whether the recipient has the decoders, instruct VDOMail to send a self-extracting message. VDOMail will bundle your video message file (AVI file) with a procedure that checks whether the recipient has the necessary decoders and if not, downloads the decoders and installs them on the recipient's computer. (Approx. 80 KB overhead).

•	If you are sure the recipient has the decoders, send the video file only. (No overhead)

Click here [image]   to specify to VDOMail whether and how you want to send the decoders.

MAPI
Some Mail systems such as Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft Outlook are MAPI compliant; others are not.

•	If you are using MAPI compliant mail you can set VDOMail to use it as well. In this case, VDOMail automatically opens your mail system's new message window where you can create an e-mail message as usual using the address book and other mail features. VDOMail inserts your video message as an attachment.

•	If you are not using MAPI compliant mail, or you select not to use MAPI for your VDOMail, VDOMail provides you with a simple means for sending a VDOMail message. It lets you enter address details and message text and bundles your video message with the e-mail message.

•	You can use the following MAPI client systems: MS Exchange, MS Outlook, MS Outlook Express, Netscape Communicator 4.0, Eudora Pro 3.05 or 4.0. The default of MS Outlook Express is non-MAPI. See Configuring Your Mailer For MAPI for instructions on how to make MS Outlook Express, Netscape Communicator 4.0, or Eudora Pro 3.05 or 4.0 MAPI compliant.

Click here [image] to set your MAPI preference.


Upgrading

From time to time VDOnet releases an upgrade to VDOMail. When there is a new upgrade VDOMail will display an upgrade icon in the main window.

1	Click Upgrade to upgrade.

2	Follow instructions as they appear on the screen.

Note

 If you need to enter FTP Proxy information and you are not sure what to enter please refer to your ISP or System Administrator.


About VDOMail Preferences

Before using VDOMail you first need to define settings and preferences. Four tabs are provided in which you can define your preferences. If you click a tab, the settings page for that tab appears.

The following setup tabs are provided:

General: Enables you to set or unset various VDOMail preferences.

Capture:  Lets you specify whether you want to send a video or audio-only message and whether you want high or low quality video.

Connection: Provides options to define how you connect to the Internet.

Mail: Enables you to define whether you are using a MAPI compliant mail system and if not, enables you to define mail account details.

What do you want to do?

 Set General Preferences

 Specify that you want to send a video or audio-only message

 Set the quality of the video message

 Define Connection Settings

 Define Mail Settings


Defining Message Type and Quality

1	Select View|Preferences.

2	Click the Capture tab.

3	From the pull-down list, select whether you want to send a video or audio-only message.

4	If you selected to send a video message, you can click Settings to adjust capture card dependent settings .

5	Click Recorder Defaults to reset the original defaults for recording.

6	If you selected to send an audio-only message, you can click Postcard to select the image you want to use for the Postcard. You can also select the Postcard later.

7	If you are sending a video message adjust message quality, from Low to High, by moving the Message Quality Slider. There is a tradeoff between quality and message size. You can check the size of the message as you move the slider to the left or right.


Specifying Your Internet Connection

1	Select View|Preferences.

2	Click the Connection tab.

3	Check the appropriate radio button to specify whether you wish to connect to the Internet using a LAN or Dial-Up Networking.

4	If you are using Dial-Up Networking:

•	Select the connection you will be using from the list. To add a new connection, click New. To edit an existing connection, click Edit.

•	If you have created a Dial-Up Networking script for automatic connection to the Internet, enter your user name and password in the appropriate dialog boxes.

•	Check the box if you wish to automatically connect to the Internet when sending e-mail.

5	Select Connect to provider automatically if you are using Dial-Up Networking and you want VDOMail to verify that you are connected to the Internet , and if not, to connect you.

6	Select Don't dial when using MAPI if you are using Dial-Up Networking and a MAPI mailer, and prefer to "send" all your VDOMail messages to the MAPI Outbox and connect later, at your convenience, to the network for delivery.


Defining Mail Settings

1	Select View|Preferences.

2	Click the Mail tab.

3	Check the box if you wish to use a MAPI compliant mail system such as Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft Outlook.

4	If you are using a non-MAPI mail system enter the following mail information:

•	The name of the outgoing mail server (SMTP)

•	The login name of your account on the mail server

•	Your e-mail display name

•	Your e-mail address


Setting General Preferences

1	Select View|Preferences.

2	Click the General tab.

3	Check the appropriate boxes to enable the following:

•	Send self-extracting messages

•	Attach decoders package to message

•	Display statistics immediately after recording

•	Sound effects

•	Splash screen on startup (in some versions this option may not appear)

Note

Select "Send self-extracting messages" or "Attach decoders package to message" or neither; don't select both.


Controlling Sound

 Select View|Audio Control Panel.

The standard Windows Volume Control panel opens. For information on how to change settings, click the Help menu in Volume Control.


Quick Start

To send a VDOMail message follow these steps. At each step you can click the button for more instructions.

1	Make sure that your camera and microphone are plugged in and working.

2	Select View|Preferences  and choose the appropriate tabs to set up the following:

•	Type (video and audio or audio only)  and quality of message

•	Internet connections

•	Mail details and preferences

•	General preferences

3	Select Message|Record and record a video [image] or audio-only [image]  message.

4	Stop Recording  [image] .

5	Click the Message View tab and the play control to play back your message.

6	If the message is okay, click Message|Send to send it.


Recording a Video Message

1	Before you begin recording, make sure that when you set the type of message as "Message contains Video and Audio ".

2	Position the microphone and make sure there is a minimum of background noise.

3	Click the Record button or select Message|Record or type Ctrl + R. The recording begins.

4	Speak clearly into the microphone keeping an eye on the Self View window to make sure that you are clearly in the picture.

5	The recording will continue until you choose to Stop.

6	At this point you can review your message, send it or save it.

Note

•	Depending on your settings in General Preferences , the File Statistics dialog box may appear.

•	While you are recording, note the colored lights at the bottom of the Self View window. The color changes as the level of audio changes. Try to maintain the green color.

What do you want to do?

 Set the message type

 Record an audio-only message

 Stop recording a message

 Play a message

 Send a message

 Save a message


Recording an Audio-only Message

1	Before you begin recording, make sure that when you set the type of message as "Message contains Audio and Postcard".

2	Position the microphone and make sure there is a minimum of background noise.

3	Click the Record button or select Message|Record or type Ctrl + R. The recording begins.

4	Speak clearly into the microphone until you choose to Stop.

5	At this point you can review your message, send it or save it.

Note

•	Depending on your settings in General Preferences , the File Statistics dialog box may appear.

•	While you are recording, note the colored lights at the bottom of the Self View window. The color changes as the level of audio changes. Try to maintain the green color.

•	The Self View window displays the Postcard that the recipient will see while listening to your message. Click here [image]  to learn how to setup a Postcard of your choice.

•	If you are using a non-MAPI mailer remember to save the clip before starting to record a new one, otherwise it will be overridden.

What do you want to do?

 Set the message type

 Record a video message

 Stop recording a message

 Play a message

 Send a message

 Save a message


Playing Back a Recorded Message

1	After you have recorded your message, switch from the Self View tab to the Message View tab.

2	Click the Play button (arrow) to begin playback.

Tips

•	If you wish to view the message from a certain point onwards, move the marker along the Position Slider and then click the Play control.

You can stop viewing at any point by clicking the Stop control.


Sending a Message

1	Decide whether you want to send decoders or not. You set this in General Preferences.

2	From the Main Window, select Message|Send or type Ctrl + S, or from the File Statistics window, click Send.

3	VDOMail prepares the file as an attachment to your mail message and opens a new message window.

4	Prepare an e-mail message, as usual. Include the addressee's details, subject and text.

5	In MAPI compliant mail systems you will see the file as an attachment.

6	Send your e-mail.


Saving a Message

1	Select File|Save As.

2	Enter the file name and location.

Note

The file is saved in AVI , a Microsoft standard format.


About Postcards

When you send an audio-only message the recipient will see a still picture while the audio message plays. This picture is called a "Postcard". VDOMail has a ready-made collection of Postcards in the Postcard Gallery. You can add your own Postcards to the Postcard Gallery by importing pictures of your choice or by letting VDOMail capture a picture with your camera.

 To see the VDOMail Postcard Gallery, select View|Postcard Gallery or type CTRL + G

What do you want to do?

 Create a newPostcard by capturing a picture with your camera

 Create a new Postcard by importing a picture


Creating a Postcard by Capturing A Picture With Your Camera

1	Select Message|Postcard.

2	In the Postcard dialog box, choose to capture a new Postcard.

3	Give your new Postcard a name or enter a short description.

4	If you want this picture to be the current Postcard check Select as current.

5	Click Grab it! to capture.

Note

RGB 24 is the recommended capture format for capturing Postcards.


Creating a Postcard From an Imported Picture

1	Select Message|Postcard.

2	In the Postcard dialog box, choose to select a Postcard from the gallery.

3	Click Import.

4	Select an image with the following properties:

•	Format: GIF or BMP

•	Size: minimum - 80x60 pixels; maximum - 320x240 pixels. The width must be a multiple of 16.

•	Color: at least 256 colors.

Use a graphic editor to adjust picture size, color and type.

5	Give your new Postcard a name or enter a short description.

6	Click Save.


Viewing File Statistics

 Select View|File Statistics or type CTRL + T.


Calculating Transmission Time

1	Select View|File Statistics or type CTRL + T.

2	Move the Transmission Speed slider to the required speed.

VDOMail calculates the estimated time required to send your most recently recorded VDOMail message and displays it in the Transmission Time clock.


General Tips

•	Make sure that your camera and microphone are plugged in.

•	Make sure that you have a capture card device and have installed the appropriate driver.

•	Adjust the brightness and contrast in the capture card device settings (Format, Source and/or Display).

•	Good lighting improves the quality of the picture. Check the following:

•	Do not use fluorescent or neon light. Incandescent light is best.

•	Make sure the light falls on to the person who is recording.

•	Use the Self View tab to check that lighting is sufficient and the camera is at a good angle.

•	Consult your camera's operator manual for tips on how to get the best picture.

•	Don't forget to look into the camera. It is also a good idea to have your finger near to the spacebar so that you don't have to look down when you want to stop the recording.


Recording or Playing Problems

If one of the following occurs then you may have uninstalled VDOMail's codec by mistake.

•	You always get 100% dropped frames when recording.

•	When you want to review what you recorded (playback) you get a message instead: "Video not available. Cannot find 'vids:VDO3' decompressor."

•	When you press the Play button you get a message:" MMSYSTEM326 No wave device that can play files in the current format is installed."

 Re-install VDOMail in order to re-install the codecs. Your settings will be restored.


Mail Related Tips

•	If you wish to use a MAPI compliant mail system make sure that you have installed and configured it. If you use it for regular e-mail then it is configured.

•	Click [image] here to configure MS Outlook Express, Netscape Communicator 4.0 or Eudora Pro 3.05 or 4.0 for MAPI.

•	If your mail doesn't get sent, and if you use MAPI mail but haven't opened it, VDOMail may have placed your message in the Outbox folder. Open your mail system and click Send.

•	If you are sending from a non-MAPI mail system and you get an error "Sorry, connection to mail server failed" make certain that in VDOMail preferences the details about your SMTP mail server are correct.

•	Be sure to enter your correct e-mail address. This is important, for example, so that you can receive mail if there are any delivery problems.

•	When sending VDOMail to multiple recipients separate their names with semi-colons (;).


Stopping to Record

 While recording press the spacebar or ESC or click the Stop button.


AVI

Audio Video Interleave, a Microsoft standard file format


GIF and BMP

GIF = graphic image file formats

BMP = bit map file format


Capture Card Dependent Settings

This will open your capture card device software so that you can adjust settings such as such as Format, Source or Video.


MAPI

Messaging Application Programming Interface; Microsoft's mail interface for windows.

DirectDraw is a software interface that provides direct access to display devices.


Brooktree Bt848

Included for example, in the 3COM BigPicture video conferencing kit.


Reset Recorder Defaults

Sometimes after you have recorded a message VDOMail asks you if you want to adjust capture settings to suit your environment. In order to reset your original capture settings you can click the Recorder Defaults.


Attach Decoders

If you know for sure that the recipient does not have a decoder check this box to send the decoders as another attachment in the message. (This means though that the message will be quite large with an overhead of about 270 KB.)

If you are sure the recipient has the decoders, clear this box.


Self-Extract

If you are not sure whether the recipient has the decoders, instruct VDOMail to send a self-extracting message. VDOMail will bundle your video message file (AVI file) with a procedure that checks whether the recipient has the necessary decoders and if not, downloads the decoders and installs them on the recipient's computer. (Approx. 80 KB overhead).


Deciding to send decoders or not

•	If you know for sure that the recipient does not have a decoder send the decoders as another attachment in the message. This means though that the message will be quite large (Approx. 270 KB overhead)

•	If you are not sure whether the recipient has the decoders, instruct VDOMail to send a self-extracting message. VDOMail will bundle your video message file (AVI file) with a procedure that checks whether the recipient has the necessary decoders and if not, downloads the decoders and installs them on the recipient's computer. (Approx. 80 KB overhead).

•	If you are sure the recipient has the decoders, send the video file only. (No overhead)


Configuring Your Mailer For MAPI

Configuring MS Outlook Express for MAPI

1	Open MS Outlook Express.

2	Select Tools|Preferences|General.

3	Select "Make Outlook Express my default simple MAPI client".

Configuring Netscape Communicator 4.0 for MAPI

1	Open Netscape.

2	Select Edit|References.

3	Go to Mail & Groups|Mail Server.

4	Click More Options…

5	Check Use Netscape Messenger from MAPI-based applications.

Configuring Eudora Pro 3.05 or 4.0 for MAPI

1	Open Eudora.

2	Select Tools|Options.

3	Select MAPI in the Category list.

4	Select Always in the Use Eudora MAPI server.