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AOL Video Gadget Frequently Asked Questions

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The following are answers to some questions you may have about the AOL Video Gadget beta.

What does "Beta" mean?
Beta testing is the process of taking software which is in the process of development and giving it to a larger group of users to test. While the testing done in our laboratory is extensive, beta testing will expose many problems not found in our laboratory testingby exposing the software to a much broader range of uses and environments. We beta test software and services because no laboratory can possibly cover every use and set of conditions that will exist after the software has been released. top of page
What are the software and hardware requirements?
Currently AOL Local supports the following list of browsers:
  • Microsoft® Windows Vista operating system
  • Pentium® processor running at 500 MHz
  • 256 MB RAM
  • Graphics card capable of displaying a resolution of 1024x768 and 16 MB onboard memory
  • Sound card
  • Internet connection (broadband preferred)

If you run into any unusual experience or limited functionality, please submit a bug report so that we can look into the issue! top of page

What do I do if I have a problem?

Because this is a beta product and still in development, we do not yet provide technical support for it. However, we maintain several forums for beta testers to provide feedback:

  • Use the AOL Video Gadget Beta message boards to ask questions and converse with other beta testers.
  • If you have an idea for how AOL Video Gadget Beta can be improved, please send us feedback.
  • If you run into a problem while using the AOL Video Gadget Beta, please tell us so that we can fix it. Use any of the above channels of communication and/or submit a bug report so that we can fix it!
What is AOL Video Gadget?

AOL Video Gadget is a small, specific application that you can run on your Windows Vista desktop. We kept it small and specific for convenience and performance reasons. You get to choose your own video selections and have it running in the Windows Slidebar.

What types of videos can I view on AOL Video Gadget?

You can watch variety of videos in five channels and there are ten videos on each of the channels. Video channels consists of "News, Music, Movie Trailers, Comedy and Business"

Can I Change the Settings for AOL Video Gadget?

You can customize AOL Video gadget to suit your mood and taste! Along with the background color, you can also change the channel of the video clips you view, the time each clip lasts and the size of the display screen.

To change the settings for AOL Video Gadget:

  1. To the right of the AOL Video Gadget window, below the X button, click the Settings button.
  2. In the AOL Video window, click the below listed drop-down menus to open it, choose the appropriate settings, then click it.
    • Default channel: Change the genre of the video clips you view
    • Default skin color: Change the background color
    • Rotate images every: Set the time duration for each video
    • Playback size of a bigger player: Set the size of the display screen
How Can I Get a Bigger View of the Video Clip?

You can get a better or bigger view of the video clip by changing the settings and detaching it from Windows? Slider.

To get a better view of the video clip:

  1. To the right of the AOL Video Gadget window, below the X button, click the settings button.
  2. In the AOL Video window, click the Playback size of a bigger player: drop-down menu to open it, choose Large from the list, then click it.
  3. Click the OK button.
  4. In the upper right, click the Detach button.

To get the biggest view, click on AOL Video at the Top Right Corner of the gadget and it takes you to the biggest view of the video clip.

How do I Turn the Volume Up?

Bring your Mouse over the gadget and the volume sign appears next to the play button. Click on it to bring the volume up.

Is It Possible to Share the Video Clips?

Bring your Mouse over the gadget and the volume sign appears next to the play button. Click on it to bring the volume up.

Yes, you can share video clips using the AOL Video Gadget.

To share video clips:

  1. In the upper right, click the Share clip button.
  2. In the AOL send to a friend window, in the To: box, type the e-mail address of the person(s) you would like to share the video. Note: You can share a video with a maximum of 10 e-mail addresses at a time.
  3. In the Your Name: box, type your name.
  4. In the Personal Message: box, type a message if you want.
  5. Click the Send button.
I can't Find the AOL Video Gadget in the Windows Sidebar. How do I find it?

Bring your Mouse over the gadget and the volume sign appears next to the play button. Click on it to bring the volume up.

It's frustrating when you are looking for something in the right place and its just not there!

If it's the AOL Video Gadget that's missing from your Windows Slidebar, you may have closed it out after detaching it from the Sidebar. But that's ok. Here's the secret of how to get it back!

Located in the upper right of the Windows Sidebar is a navigation bar. Click the + button that you see there. You will get a window displaying icons of all gadgets that you may have downloaded. Double-click the AOL Video icon. Your Sidebar will now have the AOL Video Gadget in there!

Can I have multiple AOL Video Gadgets on my sidebar?

Absolutely! This is useful for the people that would like to have multiple channels to run at the same time.

How do I add more AOL Video Gadgets to my screen?

Right click on the AOL Video Gadget's frame and click on add gadgets. Then click on AOL Video to add another video gadget.

How do I move the gadget to different location on my screen?

coming soon

What does it mean when you get message "AOL Video Service not available, please try again shortly"?

Check to make sure you have internet connection.

If you have internet connection and still get the same error message, please try again later. Sometimes AOL Video Service is down due to large traffic and/or maintenance.

» Submitted by Developer Network on June 25, 2007 - 6:28pm.