If you have a modern computer or mobile device and a fast Internet connection, GBC produced videos made on or after 2010 may be enjoyed in High Definition (HD). If your computer is older you should still be able to watch these HD capable videos in Standard Definition (SD). In fact, all of our videos, irrespective of when they were produced can be watched in SD.
Standard Definition (SD) or High Definition (HD) viewing?
Q) When did you start filming GBC videos videos in HD?
A) From 2010 onwards GBC videos are available in HD with the option of also playing them in SD if you have a slower computer or Internet connection. Before 2010 (2007 to 2009) all our videos were filmed in SD.
Q) How do I switch between HD and SD?
A) When watching HD capable videos only, you can switch between SD and HD by clicking the HD button in the bottom right corner the video player.
Q) How do I know if the video is playing in HD or SD?
A) Apart from the fact that HD videos are much sharper and clearer to watch, if the HD button is blue the video is playing in High Definition mode and if it's grey it's playing in Standard Definition.
Q) Does the HD button remember the setting it was last in when I watched a video or do I have to keep on selecting my desired preference each time I watch a new HD capable video?
A) The HD button has a "memory" of it's own and will stay in the setting you viewed the previous video at.
Q) How do I watch a video in full screen mode? (Please note that watching in full screen mode takes more processor power, which may be an issue with older computers.)
A) Click the Full Screen button near the bottom right corner of the video player. To return to the standard size video player press the Esc key on your kekyboard.
Q) In full screen mode, what if the video has a big black border round it and doesn't completely fill my screen?
A) Press the Scaling button. This stretches out the video from it's regular size - it also lowers the picture quality a little, especially when watching standard definition videos. The Scaling button also has a "memory" of it's own — it will stay either ON or OFF — depending on how you set it previously.
Flash video player plug-in
GBC videos made before March 2009 or after 1 January 2010 are produced in the popular Flash format. To watch these Flash videos your web browser needs the Flash player plug-in to be installed.
Any problems that occur here may be because your computer doesn't have the latest version of Flash. To check what version you have (or to install, upgrade or repair a faulty Flash player plug-in) click here - Flash version checker.
Silverlight video player plug-in
From March 2009 to January 2010 most of the GBC videos were produced in Windows Media Video format. To watch these videos your web browser needs the Microsoft Silverlight player plug-in to be installed. You can check if Silverlight is installed, install it or upgrade it by clicking here
Why does video playback keep skipping or stopping?This may be caused by the following.
a) Slow computers
If you notice that video playback keeps skipping or stopping, check and see if you have other programmes or antivirus scanners running on your computer at the same time – and close them down. If all else fails, you may find that re-booting your computer is the answer.
HD videos make big demands on your processor, especially during the download phase, and this can cause playback to skip. If your broadband connection is not fast enough you can try pausing the video to let it download completely, before resuming playback.
If the video you want to watch still won't play and there is an audio poscast version of it on the page, why not download and listen to it on your computer or portable mp3 player.
b) Slow Internet connections
See how fast your Internet connection is by testing it here. To test the speed click the 'Begin Test' button only - don't press the 'Download Now' or 'Free Scan' buttons.
If your Intenet connection is slower than it should be, for an extended length of time, you could try re-booting your router (turn it's power off, wait 10 seconds and turn it back on again).
If some of our videos won't play (and others will) there may be a temporary issue with one our video hosts – Vimeo.com or Blip.tv. Please try again later!
Computers on your employer's network or in public libraries, etc. may have been configured to prevent videos from being watched at all. If you really want to pursue this please speak to the IT department - but don't hold your breath! Perhaps you can watch our videos in a friend's home or at an Internet cafe instead?
Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 September 2012 08:20.