Let’s Get Technical

As computer savvy as you guys are we know you have tech issues from time to time. So here are some common questions and their answers to help you out.

• Q: What do I use to make a video?
• Q. How long should my video be?
• Q. What format should my video be in?
• Q. How do I upload my video using my digital camera or camcorder?
• Q. How do I use my webcam to directly record a video onto KidzBop.com?
• Q. What’s a webshow?
• Q. What’s a Title?
• Q. What’s a description?
• Q. What are tags?
• Q. What do I need to best view KidzBop.com?
• Q. What do I do if I forgot my password?

Q: What do I use to make a video?

A. If you have a webcam, a digital camera, or a camcorder, then you’re good to go! Just make sure that whatever you record yourself on can also record your voice, because what’s a video without any sound? Unless you’re going Charlie Chaplin style by making a silent movie, in which case you go with your awesome silent self!

Q. How long should my video be?

A. Your video can be up to 3 minutes 30 seconds long. Anything longer will not get uploaded to our site.

Q. What format should my video be in?

A. Video files usually have the following extensions (extensions are the last three letters at the end of a file name, after the dot): .mov, .wav, .mp4, .avi, .wmv, so as long as your video ends in any one of these extensions, your video is in the right format. If you’re not sure that you have a digital video file, ask an adult.

Q. How do I upload my video using my digital camera or camcorder?

A. Okay, so you’ve recorded your video and now you’re ready to show off what you’ve made, but you have NO idea how to upload it to KB.com. No sweat! It’s actually super easy, so follow these steps and you’ll be a video star in no time:
First you have to make sure that you transferred your video from your digital camera or camcorder onto your computer. Make sure you saved the video in a place on your computer that is easy to find.

Once you know where your video is stored log into your KidzBop.com account, then click the "upload a video" button and follow the steps on the screen. You will be asked to "Browse" for your video file. This means that you have to look through the files on your computer to find where your video is saved. You may have to ask an adult where they keep the video files on your computer, if you’ve forgotten.

After you locate the file and select it, the upload process will begin. When the upload is complete, you will need to give your video a title, a description and tags (Check out all of the ways you can make your video even cooler with an awesome title, description and tags below).

Q. How do I use my webcam to directly record a video onto KidzBop.com?

A. All you need is a computer, a working webcam and your awesome ideas and you’re ready to go!

Just follow these simple steps:

• 1. Connect your webcam to your computer.
• 2. Click on “Upload Your Own” on the KidzBop.com main page (make sure you read the rules before clicking next).
• 3. Change the upload setting from “Choose a Video File” to “Upload from Webcam”
• 4. If you see an image on the screen, then you have successfully hooked your webcam up. If you're getting an error or seeing a black screen, read our Trouble Shooting Tips below.

Now onto the fun stuff...

• 5. Click the record button on the lower right hand corner (it’s .rec. for short) to start creating the coolest video ever!
• 6. Once you’re done and you want to stop recording, just click on the record button again.
• 7. If you want to play back what you recorded, click on the play button.
• 8. If you’re satisfied with your new creation, click on the next button to finish the uploading process.

Easy enough, right? But remember, your video has to be 10 minutes long or shorter, so have fun but don’t go crazy and make a feature film!

Q. What’s a Webshow?

A. A webshow is kinda like a mini-TV show, but on the web! The webshow itself is just a title. So for example, maybe your webshow is called “Susie’s Guide to Going Green.”

Each video that is uploaded as part of a webshow is then an episode of that webshow. So episode 1 of “Susie’s Guide to Going Green” might be called “Recycling,” episode 2 might be called “Organic 101,” episode 3 might be called “Global Warming, what YOU can do!” and so on.

When you create a webshow on the site it will show up on your My Channel page and all of the episodes of your webshow will show up with it.

Plus, once you’ve create a webshow other members can become fans! That way every time you upload a new episode all your fans will automatically get an alert in their My Channel pages so they can be sure to check it out!

Q. What’s a Title?

A. A title is what your video will be called. You can name your video anything you’d like, but be sure to think of a title that is really catchy and fun, so when kids are surfing the site, your title catches their attention.

For example, if your video is about your toy collection, you may want to give your video a title like “Toys R Cool” or “My COOL Toy Collection!”

Q. What’s a description?

A. Because there isn’t enough space in the title to let everyone know what your video is about, the description box is where you can get more specific.
If your video is about your toy collection, you may want to write something like “This is me showing off all of my toys in my collection, especially my awesome Batman toys. Check it out guys!”

Q. What are tags?

A. Tags are just words, or “keywords,” that have to do with what your video is about. If your video is about your toy collection, you may want to put the word “Toy” as a tag. If your toy collection includes webkinz and Barbies, you’d also want to include “webkinz” and “Barbies” as tags, too!

So, every time someone searches for “toys,” “webkinz,” or “Barbies,” your video will pop up in the results! If you want your video to get LOADS of views, don’t leave this part blank!

Q. What do I need to best view KidzBop.com?

A. KidzBop.com is designed to work best with the newest web browsers available. To ensure optimal performance, visit your browser's official website to obtain an upgrade. The website is designed to be viewed on at least an 800x600 pixel display. If you can only see a portion of the page in your browser window, check your monitor's settings to adjust your resolution. KidzBop.com also uses JavaScript for certain features. Please enable Javascript and disable any popup blockers for the best experience.

Q. What do I do if I forgot my password?

A. First, ask your parent. When you sign up, your parent receives an email from KidzBop.com with your username and password. If you still can't remember, you can click on “I forgot my password” in the log-in box and we will re-send your username and password to your parent.