The guide shows step-by-step instructions from how to download a clip from this
site to how to play it on your computer.
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Downloading a clip from this site.
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Requesting a clip to download & the Freewam Forum.
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Getting the clip into proper format (uncompress).
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Playing the clip.
Part 1: Downloading a clip from this site.
After you navigate to an appropriate page with a clip (you will see a list of
clip pictures and a download box) you will come across 2 options:
a) The box contains a link to the Freewam Forum
This situation requires you to request the clip (if you want to download it).
You're free to look at pictures at what the clip looks like and if you want to
request it you may go to the Freewam Forum.
b) The box contains either 1 Part or several Parts.
The links will link to 1 of 2 sites:
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Fwclips.com (my current HTTP download server)
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RapidShare
If the clip links to RapidShare and you would like to download it, please go to
the Freewam Forum to request it (discussed in
Part2). Rapidshare
links will NOT work, so request them.
If the clip links to a file on www.fwclips.com/clips then you will be able to
download this file easily. Simply click on the download link and save the file
to your computer. If you have issues downloading from this server, let me know
by
e-mailing me.
Part 2: Requesting a clip to download at the Freewam Forum.
You can only request a clip that is on this site that is under the group
"Available for Request" or "New for Request". Please do not request any other
clips. If you are on a clip page which doesn't have a download link, this is a
clip that you can request. Please only request clips at the
Freewam Forum.
Create a new post under the Requests sub-forum (title it
whatever you want) and just name the path of the clip: ex. A/Gunge/Other
Gameshows/myfilename. You can copy this path name from the clip page (I would
prefer an exact copy as it is easier for me to find it and post it). If someone
else has already requested a clip (not that I expect you to read all the
requests - only if you notice it) don't bother to re-request as it's not going
to get posted any faster.
Part 3: Getting the clip into proper format (uncompress).
After you have actually download the file (or files) to your computer you will
have a file with the extention .rar. This is a compressed file and it may be in
parts (ex. .part1.rar, .part2.rar, etc...). You can use a number of compression
programs to get the Movie Clip out of this compression. Media players WILL NOT
play this file; you must uncompress it first. I recommend using WinRAR:
http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm and downloading the first link on
that page (currently WinRAR 3.60). After you download this file, you will need
to install the program. I won't go into any detail about how to install it, but
I recommend that right at the end of the installation you integrate the program
into the context shell menus. This will make it easier to uncompress.
After you've installed an uncompressor (WinRAR or another one of your choice)
you will need to uncompress the downloaded clip part files (or file).
Right-click on the file (if it's multiple parts, just right-click .part1.rar)
and select Extract Here. This will uncompress the file and you're now ready to
play the file. The extension of the clip will be .avi, .mpg, .mpeg, .rm, or
.wmv.
Part 4: Playing the clip.
This should be the most difficult and annoying part since there are many
reasons why you can't play a clip. The following will only go over my own
settings and if you're comfortable enough with your computer, you may use
whatever settings you like.
Player: Windows Media Player (version 9 or higher is preferable).
Codecs Package: K-lite Codec Package
A codecs package allows you to play different video files (I won't go into any
more detail - but you do need some sort of "codecs" installed).
I assume that you have Windows Media player, but you may need the codecs
package. The one I use is available for free at:
http://www.free-codecs.com/K_lite_codec_pack_download.htm.
Choose the full one if you can (though I can tell you it's not necessary; any package will work fine).
I won't go over how to install it, but you may want to install every codec (you
don't have to, but it's not much more space and it likely will not mess up your
PC). After these codecs are installed you should be able to click on the media
file (uncompressed) and it should open in Windows Media player.
Basic Troubleshooting
If the clip still can't play, try to narrow it down as much as you can, then post a message on the Freewam Forum.
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Do any media clips play? - If not, then it's a player issue (most likely).
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Can you see video but no sound? - This might actually be because the clip has
no sound. E-mail me if you want a verificiation.
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Can you hear sound but see no video? - This is a codec issue. Reinstall the
codecs package (uninstall, then reinstall).
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Does the media player ask to download other codecs? - Again a codec issue, see
above solution.
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Does the media player freeze? - I would consult the internet on this. There are
so many reasons for this (just type in Google your issue).