FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the American Red Cross VIDI Me program?

This VIDI Me program enables Red Cross staffers, volunteers, and the communities they serve, to stay connected to family and friends by sending VIDITalk personal video (VIDI) messages. The program is free; just register your Chapter to set up an account.

How can my Chapter sign up?

Red Cross chapters can sign up by completing the online registration form. A confirmation email will be sent to the primary contact who then clicks on a special link to activate the account.

Is there a cost for the program?

The program is free, with software and streaming services being provided by the VIDITalk Corporation.

How can my Chapter use this program?

Red Cross chapters can use VIDITalk for connecting family members to military personnel around the world, individuals displaced by unforesen events, and for Red Cross field personnel to stay in touch with their families. VIDITalk can also be used for fundraising and making special announcements to the community. VIDI messages can be sent in email or instant messages or posted to blogs and websites.

What is VIDITalk?

VIDITalk enables users to easily create and send high-quality personal video messages (VIDIs) from their computer to recipients anywhere in the world. Messages can be sent in email or instant messages, or posted to blogs and websites. The streaming messages are on viewable on high-speed or dial-up connections and there are no downloads or attachments.

How does it work?

The user creates a video message on their computer where it is automatically compressed, encoded, and stored on the hosting server with a link sent via the VIDI Me email system. Recipients open their email, click on the link and view the streamed video message in a customized playback screen using Microsoft Windows Media Player.

What is streaming video?

Streaming video refers to video content that is transmitted in a continuous stream. This allows users to view the video as it is received and are generally smaller in file size that affords a faster overall download time. Streaming eliminates the need for downloads (which may contain viruses) and attachments (which may be too large for your recipient's in-box).

How long a message can I record?

VIDI Me program messages can be up to 2 minutes long. Longer recording times are available in the VIDITalk subscription service. Visit www.viditalk.com for details.

How long will the VIDI be available for viewing?

VIDI Me program messages will be available for viewing for 180 days. VIDI messages made by members of the VIDITalk subscription service can choose to delete or keep a video available. Visit www.viditalk.com for details.

Can VIDITalk messages be created offline?

The VIDITalk online service requires that the user be online in order to create and send messages.

What type of camera can be used?

VIDITalk is designed to work with most web cameras. Cameras in the $79-$99 range will create high-quality messages and we recommend Logitech cameras such as the Pro 4000 (comes with a built-in microphone)

Is a microphone required?

A microphone is required for recording your voice with the video. The microphone can be internal to the camera, internal to the laptop, or externally plugged into the sound card or USB port.

What is required to play back the video?

To view a VIDI message, a recipient will need an Internet connection, web browser and a streaming media player. VIDITalk streaming video message are delivered through a hyperlink. When the recipient opens an email, the recipient simply clicks on the hyperlink. There are no attachments or downloads. The message instantly opens to Windows Media Player and begins to play. If the recipient does not have Windows Media Player, they can download it for free from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads

Can VIDITalk messages be created by all operating systems?

Today, VIDITalk cannot be created by Macintosh or Linux users. However, Macintosh and Linux users can view the messages if they have a version of Windows Media Player on their computer.

Is VIDITalk compatible with all browsers?

VIDITalk messages are viewable in all browsers but you must have Internet Explorer to create a message. There will be an upgrade in 2006 that will enable Firefox browser users to create messages.