Kaelah's Technical Corner: How to Download Our Video Clip

Hi folks, don't worry, this is not today's Kaelah's Corner. That one will be released tonight. Thank you to everyone who downloaded Ludwig's and my first video. It seems that some of you had the one or other problem with the downloads and preparations, though. Well, at least that shows that our readers aren't a bunch of ruthless file sharers. Because those guys wouldn't have had any problems with making the videos run.

Ludwig will create a new version of the clip with integrated subtitles to make it a bit easier for you. But that'll take a while. Since I want everyone to have the chance to watch the clip right now and since you can use the knowledge about how to watch a video that's split into several .rar files for other videos as well, I decided to post a step by step instruction manual. If you still have any problems, please post them in the comment section and Ludwig and I will try to help you out. This way we might be able to create a little FAQ section that might help others as well. So, here we go: 

1. Downloading the .rar package(s): 

There are two versions of the clip, a high and a low quality version. In both cases, the main clip, the outtakes clip and their subtitles are packed into .rar files (similar to .zip packages). The high quality version of the clip is so big that Ludwig had to split it into two .rar files. But careful, this doesn't mean that the first package contains part one and the second package part two of the video! You need both packages in order to use them at all and then you'll be able to unpack the four files I've mentioned above. 

Downloading the files might take a while. You can do it in the background while working at your computer. If you haven't got much time, I recommend the low quality version, because you only have to download one package. Click on the link to the package which you want to download. Rapidshare is a file-hoster and Ludwig uploaded our video files to their server. The download doesn't start automatically. You have to click on the “Slow Download” button on the right side, as shown in the picture.

Then a countdown will start (Rapidshare loves to keep their free account customers waiting). 

After that countdown you can click the “Download now!” button on the right and the download process begins. Chose the “Save File” option in order to save the package on your computer. 

In case of the high quality version you have to repeat the procedure with the second package. Again, Rapidshare loves to drive the customers who don't pay for their services mad by only allowing them to download a second file after between 15 and 50 minutes of waiting. A countdown will show you how long you have to wait.

At the end of this process you should have downloaded one (low quality version) or two (high quality version) .rar files to your computer. Make sure that they are in the same folder.

2. Installing WinRAR:

WinRAR is a program that allows you to open .rar packages and to extract the files from them. It's a shareware program which means that you can download a trial version of the software without having to pay anything for it and use it for free for 40 days. Click on this  link and then on the blue download button on the right.

To choose the program version for your download click on the big blue button on the top of the page. It should show the correct language and bit version (fitting to your operating system). If not, you can select the right version from the list below.

Hit the “Download Now” button on the right and the download starts.

After the download is completed, you'll find a file called “wrarxxxx.exe” in the download folder on your computer. Start the installation of WinRAR by double-clicking on the file and follow the instructions of the installation manager.

Now you can open your .rar packages. Double-click on one of them and WinRAR will open. It should show you four files: The .wmv video file with the main clip, a second .wmv file with the bloopers and two .srt files that contain the subtitles and must be named exactly like the video file which they belong to. Click on the “Extract” button and save the four files into a folder of your choice.

The subtitles must be in the same folder as the video files, otherwise they won't work.

3. Installing the VLC Media Player:

The VLC Media Player is a freeware program which means that you can use its full version without having to pay for it. And unlike certain versions of the Windows Media Player it doesn't have any problems with displaying subtitles. Click on this link in order to download the VLC Player. Then hit the “Download VLC” button and chose the “Save File” option.

After the download is completed, you'll find a file called “vlc-1.1.5-winxx.exe” in the download folder on your computer. Start the installation of the VLC Media Player by double-clicking on the file and follow the instructions of the installation manager.

Now everything should be ready! Just open the VLC Player and then open the video file from the menu: File - Open File. You can also open the video by right-klicking  on the file, choosing the "Open With" option and selecting the VLC Player from the list. The video should start to play and the subtitles should be shown as well without any further actions being required. You can turn the subtitles on and off in the "Video" menu.

I hope this little manual is helpful! Please let me know if you still have any problems. A member of our technical support staff will come back to you and help you as soon as possible! :-)