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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is MyLibraryDV?
- What is the first step to view MyLibraryDV?
- What software is required?
- Can I use a Mac with the service?
- Why must the manager be installed?
- How can I browse through the different titles on the site?
- How are programs downloaded?
- How long does it take to download a program?
- How many programs can be checked out at one time?
- How can the status of downloads be checked?
- When and how can programs be viewed?
- May downloaded programs be stored on an external hard drive?
- How is a video deleted that has been previously downloaded?
- Can I change the viewing size of the frame?
- How do I adjust the volume on MyLibraryDV?
- How do I return to my library's home page from MyLibraryDV?
- If MyLibraryDV does not operate properly, what are some additional steps I can perform?
Hollywood Favorites & World Cinema
- How do I search for movies?
- How many movies can be checked out at one time?
- What do I do if I receive this message? - The library has reached its maximum limit of checkouts for premium movies. Please try to download the movie again Thursday.”
What is MyLibraryDV?
MyLibraryDV is a unique video-on-demand service created by Recorded Books in partnership with Pierce County Library. You can access hundreds of hours of DVD-quality programming such as cooking with America's Test Kitchen, travel with Rick Steves' Europe, learning about collectibles with Antiques Roadshow, classic and independent films and more. Best of all, it is brought to you by Pierce County Library for FREE!
What is the first step to view MyLibraryDV?
To access and download MyLibraryDV:
- Visit www.piercecountylibrary.org
- Click on Services > Video On-demand
- Install the download manager (this is a one-time requirement that takes 2 to 4 minutes)
- Choose your program
- Follow the instructions to log on. The download manager remembers you even when you close the connection. You will not have to repeat this step as long as you do not sign out.
- A broadband Internet connection (DSL, cable, etc.)
- The most recent version of your browser (Firefox and Internet Explorer provide optimal results)
- Microsoft Windows 2000 with SP4 or Windows XP with SP2
- Flash Player 9 and Windows Media Player 10 with the most recent security update
- 1 gigabyte of available hard-drive space
- 1 GHz processor or greater (supports simultaneous record/playback features)
MyLibraryDV's software will automatically detect and alert you of any necessary Player upgrades to access the service and will aid in their installation.
Can I use a Mac with the service?
Not really, MyLibraryDV will run on a MAC as long as Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Media Player 10 are installed, although most Macs currently do not have the ability to install this software.
Why must the manager be installed?
The manager is necessary to securely download MyLibraryDV programs. After installing the manager the first time, use the desktop icon or the icon in the program listings to launch the MyLibraryDV player.
How can I browse through the different titles on the site?
You can either choose a program from the alphabetical listing under the Channel Guide on the left side of the screen or from the program titles with images in the center screen.
To choose from the alphabetical listing under the Channel Guide on the left side of the screen, click on your desired category such as Travel or Food, and then on your specific topic of interest. Here you will find an alphabetical listing of the programs for easy browsing. If you wish to view more information about the program you can click on the title or the "I" button. Both take you to a program information window where you will find the program synopsis, additional information such as the download size and duration of the video and a "Download" icon.
Clicking on an individual program from the image and title display in the center screen will make the program information window appear as above.
Please view the flash demonstration in the Help section for more information on this option.
How are programs downloaded?
Simply click the "Download" icon. The title will be added to your "My Downloads" play list and will begin to download immediately.
If the Internet connection is lost while downloading a program, simply reestablish the connection and the manager will resume the download from the point it was interrupted.
The MyLibraryDV application does not need to remain open during the period of the download. The download manager will automatically continue to download the content even when the main application is closed, as long as the Internet connection remains uninterrupted.
After programs have been downloaded, the MyLibraryDV Player accesses the content from the computer's hard drive whether or not there is a connection to the Internet.
How long does it take to download a program?
The amount of time it takes to download MyLibraryDV content depends on a combination of factors, such as the length of the program, the connection speed, and the hardware configuration of the personal computer.
Videos are automatically downloaded one at a time, although multiple programs may be selected. It is possible to change the order of the programs in the queue. Simply click on the title of the program to take priority-the default behavior for the manager is to download programs in the order they were selected.
How many programs can be checked out at one time?
You may have up to 10 downloaded programs at any given time as long as space on your computer's hard drive is available. Each program has a 7-day check-out period and you can view the time remaining on each program by going to your "My Downloads" play list. The time remaining to watch the program is displayed next to the "Play" icon.
How can the status of downloads be checked?
The progress of the download can be checked by dragging the cursor over the status bar in the "My Downloads" play list to display the percentage downloaded.
When and how can programs be viewed?
Because of MyLibraryDV's cutting-edge progressive download technology, content can be viewed either while the video is being downloaded or after it is complete.
Within a few minutes after the downloading begins, the "Play" button will appear. At this point, your program can be viewed while it continues to download. If you choose to view a program while the download progresses, be aware that varying connection speeds can cause momentary pauses in play called buffering. Buffering results when the viewed portion of the file "catches up" to the downloading file. Internet speeds are impacted by a number of variables, such as how many users are on a single trunk line or the age of your computer. If buffering occurs, a text message will appear below the picture, encouraging you to pause for several minutes to allow the program to download further. If buffering continues, your best viewing experience may only occur with completely downloaded programs.
If you choose to wait for the completed download, open the MyLibraryDV Player, go to your "My Downloads" play list and click on the "Play" button next to the title you wish to view.
Using a cable hook-up, programs may be viewed on a television or other monitor. Please view the flash demo in the Help Section for more information on this option.
May downloaded programs be stored on an external hard drive?
MyLibraryDV works only on the hard drive to which the file was originally downloaded. Files cannot be transferred to an external device.
How is a video deleted that has been previously downloaded?
All programs are automatically deleted when the 7-day check-out period expires. If you choose to delete programs manually, open the Player and identify the title to be deleted. Click on the "Trashcan" icon to delete the program from both the Player and the associated computer hard drive. Deleted programs still count toward your 10 allowable downloads if they are within the seven-day check-out period.
Can I change the viewing size of the frame?
The MyLibraryDV Player works in much the same way as the Windows Media Player. The bars or framing around the video disappear after approximately 5 to 10 seconds of the mouse remaining inactive. To reinstall the frame, simply move your cursor to the edge of the picture. To make the video play at full screen, click on the "Fit Video to Screen" icon on the bottom right of the Player. To return to the standard picture size, click on the "Normal Size" icon on the bottom right of the Player.
If the picture size of a video becomes smaller while playing this is not a defect-it is due to the method in which it was filmed. There are many creative methods that directors use to differentiate multiple segments of a program. These methods may cause varying picture size throughout a video and should not be a concern.
How do I adjust the volume on MyLibraryDV?
The default setting for programs on MyLibraryDV is at the highest level for sound. You can adjust the volume in two ways-you may operate the volume scroll bar in the frame, or locate the speaker icon in your tool bar and adjust the volume from there.
How do I return to my library's home page from MyLibraryDV?
Simply click on your library's logo, located above the main menu, and you will return to your library's home page.
If MyLibraryDV does not operate properly, what are some additional steps I can perform?
- Check to ensure that system time, time zone, and date are correct
- If the computer is running a personal firewall, allow bi-directional traffic from MyLibraryDV
- Disable pop-up blockers that inadvertently block MyLibraryDV
- Check Internet connection
If you are still unable to operate your MyLibraryDV application successfully, please contact MyLibraryDV at mldvsupport@recordedbooks.com.
Hollywood Favorites and World Cinema
How do I search for movies?
You can browse through the movie selections on MyLibraryDV by either clicking on the Movie category in the Channel Guide on the left side of the screen or the Movie icon in the center of the screen.
There are five different movie collections to select from: Classics, Independent Films, Foreign Films, Hollywood Favorites & World Cinema, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Click on the desired collection to reveal browsing options within that collection. In the Hollywood Favorites & World Cinema and Sony Pictures Entertainment collections you have the option to browse by genre, such as Action/Adventure, Drama, Mystery/Thriller, etc.
Click on the picture associated with the movie to view more information or to download.
How many movies can be checked out at one time?
You may check out one movie every 24 hours. Like the basic service, each film in the Hollywood Favorites & World Cinema and Sony Pictures Entertainment collections has a seven-day checkout period that cannot be shortened no matter when the film is viewed.
When at any time during the checkout period you decide to watch a movie and click on the “Play” button, you initiate a 24-hour viewing period–this includes watching the movie during progressive play while it is still downloading. The movie may be watched as many times as desired within the 24-hour period. However, once the viewing period has ended the film will automatically be deleted from your “My Downloads” playlist and the computer’s hard drive whether or not the movie has been watched.
The time remaining to watch a film is displayed next to the “Play” icon in the “My Downloads” playlist.
What do I do if I receive this message?
The library has reached its maximum limit of checkouts for premium movies. Please try to download the movie again Thursday.”
This message indicates that your library has opted to limit the total downloads from its premium movie collection. The library has chosen this function so that they may continue to offer films throughout the entire period of their subscription. The download limit is reset every Thursday, so please reattempt to check out your selection at that time.