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General

Viewing

  • What are hotspots? - Hotspots are objects in the video that contain additional information, or notes.
  • How do I know when objects in the video are hotspots? - Hotspots, or objects with notes, are identified by a marker (such as flashing circles or dotted rectangle). In addition, when there is an active hotspot in the scene, the Asterpix 'asterisk' icon in the upper right of the player will change color from blue to green.
  • How do I interact with hotspot objects? When you see a hotspot marker, move your mouse pointer over the marker. The video will pause, highlighting the annotated object and displaying a callout box with the note description and link (if applicable). You can view the full description and tags by clicking the ‘maximize’ button in the note callout box. If the note has a link, you can navigate to it by clicking the highlighted object or the link in the note callout box. (learn more)
  • How do I navigate to scenes with specific hotspots? You can navigate to specific scenes by clicking on items in the selection list. You can also browse through notes by clicking the 'previous' and 'next' buttons in the player. These buttons are located to the right of the play and rewind buttons. (learn more)
  • How do I change the hotspot marker style? - You can change the hotspot marker style by clicking the ‘style’ button in the video player. You can then select the desired hotspot marker style. In the ‘No Marker’ option the hotspots are still active and the notes are accessible via mouseover; however, there is no in-video visual cue. The selected style persists for all videos you view until you select a different style.
  • How do I view note tags? - You can view note tags by clicking the ‘maximize’ button in the note callout box.
  • How do I browse through different videos? - If hotspots contain links to other Asterpix videos, you can navigate and browse through different videos within the Asterpix hypervideo browser. During playback, mouseover a hotspot object. If the note link displayed is 'asterpix.com', you can click on the link or the highlighted object to go directly to the linked video. The video history box at the top of the player will indicate the title of the video you are currently viewing. You can use the forward and back arrow buttons to navigate between videos you have viewed. You can also use the history box dropdown list to navigate to specific videos you have viewed. (learn more)

Creating

  • How do I get started? - You can get started by viewing any video on asterpix.com or by clicking the 'Add Video' button in the upper right of any page. (learn more)
  • Which video web sites are supported? - You can add videos from these sites:
    *Note: We do not support all videos on these sites that are derived from other sources

    We will be adding support for additional video websites in the future. Please provide us feedback if you would like to suggest another site.

  • What video format types are supported? - Asterpix videos are in the Flash video format.
  • How do I create my own version of a video? - You must log in to create your own version of a video. You can create your own version by following the link 'Go to your own version' on the video player page. You can also create an interactive video by clicking the 'Add Video' button and searching the web for a video to convert into a hypervideo. In the search results, click on the thumbnail image of any video. Enter the requested video information and click the 'Go to add notes' button. The video will open in the asterpix player, and it is ready for annotation. Your version of the video will be saved after you save a note.

  • What are notes? - Notes contain information about selected objects in a video. You can add notes to your video to enable viewers to navigate the video or get more information on items of interest. When viewers select hotspots (objects with notes) during playback, a callout box will display the note information you entered. Notes can contain a description, URL link, and tags.
  • How do I create a hotspot? - You can select an object to annotate by clicking on the object in the video. Alternatively, you can also click the ‘add note’ button in the upper left corner of the video player. You can resize the selection box by dragging the sizing handle in the lower right corner. You can reposition the selection box by dragging the box to the desired position. After selecting the object, add a description, URL link, and tags in the note box and click save. After saving is complete, the selected object will be a hotspot that viewers can interact with. Hotspots track the object even as it moves around in the scene, and until it leaves the scene. (learn more)
  • What are tags? - Tags are keywords that describe specific objects in a video or the video itself. When you add a note to a selected object you can specify tags for that object. For example, a surfer in a scene might be tagged with the surfer’s name. Users who like that particular surfer can then search for that name, and the search results will display the specific videos & scenes that contain the surfer. Tags help you label objects so other users can find the scenes with those objects more easily.
  • What tips do you have for selecting objects for annotation? - Following these guidelines can help the hotspot marker (such as flashing circles or dotted rectangle) and selection region more effectively track the object as it moves around in the scene.
    • Choose an object that is well differentiated from its immediate background based on color.

      Good example:

      Bad example:

    • Position and resize the selection box such that it bounds the object of interest as tightly as possible. The selection box should contain as much of the object as possible, while excluding neighboring images that are not part of the object.

      Good example:

      Bad example:

  • How do I create a hyperlink for selected objects? - Select an object in the video to annotate. In the note box add a URL in the URL field. During video playback, viewers can click on the object to navigate directly to the website specified in your URL.
  • How do I link to another video from a hotspot? - Determine the video you want to link to and open it in the Asterpix player. Copy the URL for this video. Paste this URL into the note URL field for the hotspot you want to link from. During video playback, viewers can click on the object to navigate directly to the other video within the Asterpix hypervideo browser. (learn more)
  • How do I link from a hotspot in one video to a hotspot in another video? - First, you need to get the link for the hotspot you want to link to. Navigate to this hotspot and right click on the selected object. Select 'Copy permalink to clipboard'. Then, paste this URL into the note URL field for the hotspot you want to link from. During video playback, viewers can click on the object to navigate directly to the hotspot in the other video within the Asterpix hypervideo browser. (learn more)
  • How do I edit/delete a note? - Navigate to the note either by selecting the item in the selection list or moving the mouse pointer over a hotspot during playback. Click on the ‘maximize’ button in the note callout box. Click the ‘edit’ or ‘delete’ buttons to edit/delete the note.
  • Can other users add notes to my video? - Only you can add/edit/delete notes for your version of a video. However, all users can add/edit/delete notes for a public version of a video.
  • How do I create a new version of a video? - You can have one personal version of each video. To create a new version of the same video you first need to delete your existing version of the video. You can delete one of your videos on the ‘My Asterpix’ page (must be logged in). After deleting the video, you can create a new version.
  • Who can view my videos? - All users can view your videos. Only you can add/edit/delete notes for your videos.

Sharing

  • How do I share videos or notes?

    You can share videos in 3 ways:

    • Embed your video directly onto your website or blog
    • Use the share button on the video player
    • Copy and paste the URL into an email or instant message

    (learn more)

  • How do I embed videos on my website or blog? You can embed videos by copying and pasting the embed code in the embed field on the video player page. (learn more)
  • How do I change the size of the embedded player? - In the embed code, find the two places where it lists “width=425“ and “height=380“. Change the width and height values in both places to the desired dimensions. Note: The minimum supported width is 325.
  • How do I get the URL for a note?

    There are several ways to get the note URL:

    • Enter keywords for the note you are looking for in the search box and click ‘search’. Find the note in the search results and right click the thumbnail image. Select 'Copy link location'. You can then paste the link wherever you want.
    • On any of the video lists (such as popular video lists, your videos on 'my asterpix' page, etc.), click on the 'Show notes' button to display all the notes for a video. Right click the note thumbnail image and select 'Copy link location'. You can then paste the link wherever you want.
    • Navigate to the note in the video player (you can use the selection list or mouseover a hotspot during playback). Right click on the selected object and select 'Copy permalink to clipboard'. You can then paste the link wherever you want.

Accounts

  • How do I sign up? - Click the ‘Sign up’ link in the upper right of any page. Enter the requested information and click the ‘Sign up’ button. You will receive a confirmation email to the email address you specified. When you receive this email, click on the link in the email to activate your account. You can then log in to the service.
  • Which features require user login? - You must be logged in to create your own hypervideos. Logging in also enables you to easily find your hypervideos.
  • How much does it cost to sign up or use the service? - Nothing. It is a free service.
  • How will you use my email address? - We value your privacy and will never give out your email address or send you unsolicited emails without your consent. For more information, please review our privacy policy.
  • How do I confirm my email address? - After you sign up, you will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link in the email to confirm your email address.
  • I never received my confirmation email. What should I do?

    The confirmation link is included in the “Asterpix email confirmation“ email you received after signing up. If you don’t receive this email when you expect to, please check in your email client’s bulk or spam folder.

    If you still have not received it after several hours, go to asterpix.com and click ‘log in’. Enter your username and password. You will be directed to a page where you can send another confirmation email.

  • I forgot my username or password. How do I log in? - Click ‘log in’ at the top right of any page on asterpix.com. Click the ‘forgot username’ or ‘forgot password’ links. Enter the requested information.
  • How do I change my email address or password? - First log in to your account. Click on the ‘My Asterpix’ link at the top right of any page. Click on the edit profile link and update the desired information.

Your videos

  • How do I find my videos? - Click on the ‘My Asterpix’ link in the upper right of any page (must be logged in). Your videos are listed on this page.
  • How do I remove one of my videos? - Click on the ‘My Asterpix’ link in the upper right of any page (must be logged in). Under ‘Your Videos’ click the delete button next to the video you want to remove.
  • How do I find my notes? - Enter your username in the search box and click ‘search’. All your videos and notes will be listed in the search results. You can also find your notes from your video list on the ‘My Asterpix’ page. Click on the 'Show Notes' link next to each video to display all the notes.

Searching videos

  • How do I search for videos on the web? - Click the 'Add Video' button in the upper right of any page. Enter keywords (such as video description, tags, title, username) in the search box and click ‘Find Video’. You can click on the thumbnail image for any of the search results to continue adding the video (login required).
  • How do I find a specific video on the web? - Click the 'Add Video' button in the upper right of any page. If you know the URL of the video you are looking for, you can enter or paste it into the search box and click ‘Find Video’.
  • How do I find web videos that I've uploaded to a specific site such as youtube? - If you have an account on a site such as youtube, you can find the videos you've uploaded by doing a web search for your username. Click the 'Add Video' button in the upper right of any page. Enter your youtube username in the search box and click ‘Find Video’.
  • How do I search for videos on Asterpix.com? - Enter keywords (such as video description, tags, title, username) in the search box and click ‘search’. You can click on the thumbnail image for any of the search results to navigate to the desired video.
  • What advanced options are available for Asterpix search?
    • Site-specific - filters the result set for a specific site. Example search: cars site:youtube.com
    • User - filters the result set by a specific username. Example search: cars user:testuser
    • Video title - search performed exclusively against video titles. Example search: allintitle:cars
    • Tags - search performed exclusively against video tags. Example search: allintags:cars
    • Notes - search performed exclusively against notes. Example search: allinnotes:cars
  • How do I search for notes? - Enter keywords (such as note description, tags, or username) in the search box and click ‘search’. Notes are identified in the search results by a yellow note icon to the right of the image thumbnail. You can click on the thumbnail image for any of the search results to navigate directly to the desired note.
  • Why do I get no results when I do an asterpix keyword search with fewer than 3 characters? - For an Asterpix search, you need to enter a minimum of 3 characters in the search box.

Developers

Pro

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