Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ Quick Links
Getting Started
What is live streaming video?
Vidrunner is a small software application that enables you to stream live video from your mobile to other mobiles or PC, all peer to peer with no latency. We will add features so that you can use Vidrunner to keep it real, and bring your friends into the moment. Use Vidrunner to stream your moments to Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or your own personal blog.
Vidrunner enables “one to many” video transmission, whereby your cameraphone provides the originating live feed. Any place that you can receive mobile data signal will enable immediate, “one button simple” live video transmission to the globe. Your originating live video is streamed peer to peer without going through a centralized server. With our patented technology, you can share live events with little latency peer to peer.
What do I need to stream live video from my mobile?
You will need:
- An active Vidrunner account.
- A compatible mobile device with video recording ability. Currently we support the Nokia N95.
- Vidrunner’s free software installed by signing up here.
- A data account with your mobile network carrier.
What mobile devices are supported?
We are rolling out our application for the Nokia N95. Soon, additional compatible mobile devices for Vidrunner will initially include several other Symbian S60 phones. The next phone will be the Apple iPhone. We will subsequently add support for phones based on Windows Mobile, Linux, RIM and Palm.
What network connection do I need?
Of course, the faster, the better. Encoding quality of the video is optimized for wireless networks which support high-speed data transmission, including: 1xRTT, UMTS, EV-DO, EV-DO Rev.A, BGAN, Wi-Fi, HSDPA, WiBro and WiMax. Please note - Vidrunner does not recommend using GPRS (or its' cousin EDGE), as these networks suffer from low bandwidth and unreliable consistency of available data channel.
Check with your wireless network provider to obtain a data account. For regular Vidrunner live streaming video, we strongly recommend purchasing an "all you can eat" data account, if this is available. Alternatively, many 3G/UMTS operators offer pricing for a block of multiple hours of service or, alternatively, data consumption at reasonable rates, priced by the gigabyte. Avoid a metered kilobyte plan, as this will likely be very expensive.
Another point to consider, you will be utilizing the "uplink" capacity of your data account. In general, the larger the kbps rate that your data account provides for, the better the quality of video your viewers will receive.
The speed of your originating video feed will dictate the data requirements necessary for each viewer. Tailor your data for the expected viewer rate to ensure maximum compatibility.
How do I get started?
Sign up for an account. The signup procedure will send an SMS message to your phone so that you can download and install the appropriate Vidrunner software on your mobile device. When you’re ready to start, launch Vidrunner on your mobile device, check your settings and make sure you are actively connected to the Internet. Press the start button and you are streaming live video to your buddies who are on line and accept the invite to join in! For step-by-step guide to using Vidrunner, click here.
How can I participate in Vidrunner’s Beta release?
Currently, registration is only through invitations. If you are interested, please place a request on our Contact Us form.
Where can I stream live video from?
You can stream live video from any place that your network is connected. However, as with cell phones, connectivity is not always at 100%. If you have difficulty maintaining a good connection on 3G, try Wi-Fi.
What phone network settings should I use?
First you need to confirm with your wireless network what your account allows (in Kbps). If your network allows EV-DO (80 Kb), then that is your highest setting available. Another consideration is your wireless connectivity. You may find the connection is not stable or strong enough to maintain a high quality live video. In these cases it is a matter of experimentation to find the setting that gives you the stability you require.
Also low light conditions can affect the performance of certain mobile devices. In these cases it is again a matter of experimentation to find the suitable setting.
Viewing streaming video
How good is the video quality?
The quality of the video is determined primarily by the mobile device itself. Devices with stronger CPUs tend to handle video better, and higher resolution cameras tend to be less pixilated. Low light environments and erratic camera moves typically result in lower frame rate and quality of video.
Who can watch my live streaming video?
Anyone around the world can view a Vidrunner member's live streaming video. The viewer must also be signed up to Vidrunner and be running the Vidrunner software to view the live video. The live streaming videos are currently available to viewers on supported devices. We will be adding support for viewing on PCs as well as viewing and sending on iPhone, Windows mobile and other phone operating systems.
How long can I stream live video for?
We don’t limit your streaming.
Can I save my live streaming video?
The current version does not support saving video. However, we will soon be adding this feature.
Where do I save my video?
After this feature is added, you will be able to save video on the local memory card for your phone as an mpeg file. You can then upload it to web sites such as YouTube. We will later add features to automate the upload process.
How much video can I save?
The future Beta version will allows you to save 100 MB of video (approximately 160 minutes of video at 80 Kbps - more at lower settings, less at higher). Since this is for actively stored content, you are free to delete any saved videos to make room for new ones. Be sure to download any videos you wish to keep prior to deleting them.
How long is my video saved for?
There is no limit during the Beta phase.
How can I make my streams private?
Streams are private by default. You stream only to the “buddies” you choose as viewers. Our patented technology prevents others from viewing because data goes directly from the sender to authorized viewers without passing through a server.
How do I report inappropriate content?
Because of our patented peer to peer technology, we are not privy to the content of the live stream. Any issues related to content should be addressed to the “buddy” sending the live stream.
Buddies
How do I add buddies?
Start Vidrunner. Then Select Options->Buddies-Add Buddy. Enter the Username that the buddy used for registering as well as a Nickname that you will use when displaying the buddy (the two are normally the same).
How do I notify people about my live streaming videos?
Notifications are sent via Vidrunner itself to people who are running Vidrunner in the foreground or background.
You can run Vidrunner in background mode by clicking the End Call button on your N95:
Can I import my contacts from Outlook and Messenger?
This feature is planned for a subsequent release. From online PC: Save your contacts from Outlook and Messenger locally. Sign in at www.vidrunner.com. Select MY CONTACTS. Follow the directions under IMPORT CONTACT LIST.
Tags and Metadata
What are Tags?
Tags are metadata that is embedded in the media. It provides information about the content, such as title, author, keywords, copyright and description. Tags are useful in searching through your live videos. A future version of Vidrunner will allow tagging your videos.
Blogging, Social Networking and File Sharing
What is a blog?
A Blog (Web Log) is an online journal that usually is frequently updated. Blogs run the gamut from personal diaries to news and editorial content. Blogs usually allow for viewers participation in the form of comments.
How do I set up sending Vidrunner videos to social networking and file sharing sites?
Vidrunner doesn't currently do it but we will support automated posting to Typepad, Wordpress Blogging sites as well as YouTube. Once you have set up a Blog or YouTube account, you will need to provide some information in order for Vidrunner to interact with your Blog.
From a mobile device: Go to the MY ACCOUNT screen, select ACCOUNT SUMMARY. When you get to your account page, click on the BLOG SET-UP link. Fill out the information here.
From online PC: Sign in at www.vidrunner.com. From the MY VIDEO tab, select Blog & YouTube Setup and click on the SETUP A NEW BLOG link. Follow links and fill out the information here.
Now you can notify anyone going to your Blog of live or on-demand Vidrunner videos. You can also embed the VIdrunner live streaming video directly in your Blog (see Embed Video Code.)
GPS
What is GPS?
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a system that relies on satellites to accurately determine your position. For more information go to www.gpsworld.com.
How does GPS work with Vidrunner?
A future version of Vidrunner will include location-based services. If your PDA or Smartphone has a built-in GPS, you can decide if you want the position of the broadcast to be available to viewers. The GPS data is dynamically tracked and embedded in the Vidrunner streaming live video. If your mobile device does not have built-in GPS abilities, you can use a handheld or Bluetooth unit. Connect it to your mobile device. Select the appropriate com port from the SETTINGS screen.
What do the GPS icons in Vidrunner signify
The GPS icons indicate the status of your GPS connectivity. GPS receivers are subject to connectivity issues similar to cell phones and generally work better outside with a clear path to the satellites. You may find that you can stream live video fine, but the GPS receiver cannot maintain a stable signal.
How is GPS data displayed?
When the viewer(s) watch the video, either live or on-demand, they will see a dynamic satellite image beside the media window. Waypoints or GPS data are shown as a blue dot (or a blue line if tracked by GPS) in the satellite image. GPS data in text form is available in Video Information.
How can GPS data be used?
The GPS co-ordinates will be input into various online mapping services such as Google Earth. This will allow accurate location of the live streaming video point. Let your viewers see where you are sending live video from. Use this feature for directions, legal matters and much more. Can I add GPS co-ordinates at a later date? No. GPS data is embedded in the live video and is non-editable. This is what makes it appropriate in legal usage. You can, however, add or edit a Waypoint to an existing video.
Do I have to install other software to enable Geotagging?
No. Mapping should run without additional software installation.
Troubleshooting
I’ve installed the software, but it doesn’t seem to work.
Here is a checklist of possible causes:
Is your device on our list of compatible devices?
Does your network support streaming live video?
Is your network account activated for this feature?
Are you in network range and connected to the Internet?
Does your signal appear strong?
My phone appears to have a good connection when streaming, but viewers have mentioned the stream starts and stops during my live video.
This is likely due to connectivity issues. Check the stats at the bottom of the screen. If the stats start with s6, this indicates a poor connection to your network, possibly causing data packets to be lost. Although the viewer’s screen will automatically resume playing when the connection gets better, you may want to check for a better network connection.
Advertising
How does Vidrunner make money?
We plan to include advertising in a future free version of our service.
How many brand messages will I receive on an average day?
You’ll receive a brand message tied to each streaming video sent or viewed.
How can I get brand messages for things I’m more interested in?
Vidrunner tries to match you with brands according to your interests, but this isn’t always possible. Rest assured that Vidrunner is working very hard and its range of brands will grow as time goes on. In the meantime, keep your interests up to date. The better Vidrunner knows you, the better you can be matched with stuff you’re interested in.
Do you provide personal information to advertisers?
No.
What if I don’t want to receive an advertisement?
Until at least Spring of 2009, Vidrunner will be ad-free. When we do begin including ads, users will have the option to subscribe to an ad-free level of service for a very small charge.
