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Gabble Forum

The Gabble Forum is a group that includes all the users of Gabble. It's a place where Gabble users can ask and answer questions and exchange tips with each other. Plus the Gabble Support team monitors the Forum and answers questions so that everyone can benefit from the information.

Click here to visit the Gabble Forum

Contact Gabble Support

If you have an issue or question that needs the attention of the Support Team, you can contact us directly:

Send a video Direct Message to gabble@hp.com
Email us at gabble@hp.com
Or click the "Contact Gabble" link at the bottom of any Gabble page.


Frequently Asked Questions


Common Problems
Getting Started
Recording & Sending Video Messages
Managing Groups & Conversations
Profiles
Mobility
Privacy
Known Issues

Most Common Questions/Problems

I'm not receiving emails sent from Gabble

The most common reason for this problem is that spam filters sometimes place email from Gabble into your spam or "bulk mail" folder or don't deliver it at all. The best way to prevent this from happening is to add the Gabble email address, gabble@hp.com, to your contact list. Or, in some email services like Yahoo! you can open the Gabble email and press the "Not Spam" button, which will free Gabble emails from the spam folder in the future.

Video/Audio from my webcam isn't working

This problem is almost always one of a few things:

  • First, check your Flash settings. Right click in the recorder window (on a Mac, hold the Control button and click) and choose "Settings...".
    There are two important tabs in the Flash settings: Video and Audio. Click on the video tab (see picture below). Click the dropdown box and look for the item that best matches your webcam. PCs with built-in webcams often say "USB" in the name.
    If you're having audio problems too, do the same with the audio tab (see below). Choose the audio device that best matches your webcam. In many cases, webcams have built-in microphones, but older webcams may not, in which case you'd need to plug in a mic. So, if you're having audio problems, first make sure your webcam has a built-in mic or that you have one plugged in. If you're not sure which item in the list to choose, you can always start at the top and try recording with each one until you find one that works for you.
  • Second, make sure that no other applications on your computer are using the webcam. Only one application can use the camera at a time so if something else is using it, you'll just see a black screen in the recorder window.
  • This may seem obvious, but it's happened to us...make sure your camera is plugged in. If you find it unplugged, just plug it in and refresh the web page. If that doesn't work, try re-checking the Flash settings (see above). In the most extreme cases, a computer reboot will usually do the trick.
  • Finally, we've heard from pre-release users that using Skype might alter your Flash settings which may require you to reset them in Gabble after using Skype. Just something to be aware of. Happy Gabbling!


    • How do I change my profile image?

    What is a profile video and what is it used for?

    Video seems blurred and out of sync with audio

    How do I practice posting videos without anyone seeing them?

    Getting Started

    What is Gabble?

    Gabble is a web-based video messaging site for groups of people. You can share video messages with a trusted group of friends, family, or coworkers using either your webcam or by uploading files from your digital camera. You can also use your phone to browse groups and play videos on the Gabble mobile site (m.hpgabble.com).

    Gabble is all about groups and conversations. You join a group of people and exchange video messages, which are oganized into conversations. Conversations are similar to threads of conversation in email.

    How do I get started using Gabble?

    After you complete the quick registration process, you just need an Internet connection, a web browser and a video-capable camera, such as a webcam or digital camera. You can browse or create your private group(s) and then record or upload your videos.

    What are the different areas within Gabble?

    Once you are logged in to Gabble, you'll notice the tabs on the top left of the screen labeled Home, Groups & People, and Videos.

    Home is the place you'll come first every time you visit Gabble. If you have received new videos to view since the last time you logged in, they will always be right here for you to view right away. From here, you can create a new group, start a conversation, or gabble a friend (send them a direct private video) just by clicking the links in the middle of the home page.


    The Groups & People section gives you a view of your list of groups and the people in your groups. From this page, you can create a new group or send a direct message to one or more people.


    The Videos tab takes you to a place where you can view all of the videos you have created, including conversation posts, direct messages, quick responses, and profile videos.


    You may have noticed the My Profile button located just above the search box. This is where you can manage your privacy and notification settings and account information. This is also where you can see your direct message Inbox and your own profile videos.


    And, if you are searching for a specific conversation but can't remember which group it's in, you can use the Search area to search your groups in Gabble for videos you are looking for. This will search all the text fields in your groups, including your group names and descriptions, conversation titles, and the optional text you and your friends add to your video posts.


    How do I create a group?

    A group is a group of people with whom you want to exchange video messages - friends, family, or perhaps coworkers. To create a group...

    • Start by clicking "Create a new group" on the home page.


    • Choose people to invite. You can add people from your existing groups from the left column. Or you can enter the email addresses of your friends. When you're ready, click "Create a New Group" button.


    • Name your group and record your invite video. This an introductory video that your invitees can view before they join. You'll also have the chance to name the starting conversation in the group, something like "Welcome!" might be good.

    How do I start a conversation?

    First, visit one of your groups. You can start by clicking one of the group links on your Home page. Then, in the "Conversations" section, you'll see "Click here to start a new conversation...". You can record or upload a video. Then press the Post button and your video will be the first post in the new conversation.

    What is a Direct Message? What does it mean to "Gabble a Friend"?

    You can send a video message directly to another person, much like video email. If that person is a member of Gabble, he or she will see the video in their Inbox on the "My Profile" page and be able to press reply to respond to you. If that person is not yet a member Gabble, he or she will receive an email with a link to view your video, without needing to sign in to or register with Gabble.

    Who is the group moderator and how are they different?

    By default, the person who created the group is the moderator. But, you can have any number of moderators. Existing moderators can upgrade other group members to be moderators.

    The group moderator has special privilages in the group. For example, She can invite new people to the group, remove people from the group, change group settings, and review and remove flagged posts.

    What does the sun symbol mean next to a video thumbnail?

    It means that this is a new video for you that you haven't watched yet.

    Is there any way to activate my account without having a message sent to my email?

    No, when you register with Gabble an e-mail is sent to the e-mail address you signed up with. This is for identity verification purposes.

    Sometimes email systems filter Gabble emails into the spam folder. To prevent this, you can add the Gabble email address, gabble@hp.com, to your contact list.

    On the register page, why do you ask for my birthdate?

    For legal reasons, we must verify that Gabble users are at least 18 years old. By default, your birthdate is only visible to you. However, on your "My Profile" you can choose to make your birthdate visible to your Gabble friends.

    Can I use two different e-mails for my Gabble account?

    Each Gabble account is tied to an e-mail address. So if you'd like to use two different e-mail addresses, you will need to create two separate Gabble accounts. These two accounts will not be linked, but separate. So if you log on to your Gabble account with one e-mail address and password, you will see only those groups and conversations created with and for this account.

    Recording & Sending Video Messages

    How do I record & send a video?

    Within a conversation, select "reply". A Message may pop up asking for access to your camera and microphone. Click "allow". Then begin recording. You can stop recording at any time and rerecord. You can also preview your video before posting. In addition, you can "Upload a Video" that you've already recorded and saved on your PC. When you are finished, select "Post Response" at the bottom of the page to post your video to the conversation and group.

    How do I practice posting videos without anyone seeing them?

    You can create multiple groups within Gabble and only those people invited into each group can view videos posted. So you can create a group for your eyes only and post practice videos. For example, you could create a group titled "Your name Gabble Group" (for your convenience, this group may have already been created for you by the Gabble team) and begin posting your practice videos. You could also delete these videos after you've viewed them if you like. To delete a video, simply go to the Videos tab at the top of the page, select the specific video you want to delete and select "delete".

    How do I play a video?

    As soon as the player window has finished loading, just click on the thumbnail image of the video you want to watch and then click "Play" in the player window. Any new videos that you haven't watched will be on your home page, listed in the player on the right.

    Can I type a message also?

    Yes...sort of. When you're posting a video, you can enter "Optional Text" that will appear with your video. If you don't want to record or upload a video, you might want to create a Quick Response message that you can use generically and then type whatever text message you want with it.

    How long can the videos be?

    Recorded videos (with your webcam) can be up to 2 minutes long. Uploaded videos are limited to 100Mb, but not limited by duration.

    Can I post the same video to more than one group or conversation?

    Yes. Click the "Videos" tab, browse through the videos you've posted and find the one you want to re-port. Then click the "Post Again" link. Now you can choose the group and conversation you want to post it to. Keep in mind that it will only show a list of groups and conversation that you have not post that video to yet.

    Can I upload a video from my computer?

    Yes. Click "Reply" to any video and look for the "Upload a Video" link below the record window.

    Can I have a live video conversation/chat with people/groups?

    Nope. Gabble does not have a live chat feature. Gabble is all about video messaging so that you can respond at a time that is convenient for you.

    Can I connect with the entire Gabble community?

    You can connect with the Gabble Community by going to the Gabble Forum.

    Can I send videos to people who aren't on Gabble yet?

    Yep. You can send a direct video message to someone just by entering their email address. All you have to do is

    • Click the "Groups & People" tab
    • Click the "Send a Direct Message" button
    • Enter your friends email address where it says "Add an email address" and press the "+" button
    • Click "Send Direct Message"

    Your friend will be sent an email with a link that takes them to a page where they can watch your video.

    How do I invite people into my group?

    Only people with moderator status can invite others into a group. Just ask one of your group moderators to invite your friend or perhaps ask a moderator if he/she can change your member status to "Moderator". A group can have any number of moderators.

    What is a Quick Response?

    Quick Responses are video messages that you can pre-record and use to respond quickly. This is helpful when you don't have a camera to record with or when you're using the Gabble mobile site. For example, you may want to create generic responses called "LOL!", "Thanks" or "Just watched your video and loved it!".

    To get started with Quick Responses, click the "Videos" tab and then click the "Quick Responses" sub-tab. Click "Record New" to make your first Quick Response"

    When and how do I flag a video?

    If you see a video that you believe violates our Terms of Use or Community Guidelines, please flag the video. Group Moderators have 24 hours to act upon a flagged video in a conversation in any of the groups they own. If the video is not acted upon, HP reserves the right to close the conversation or remove the video. If someone repeatedly posts videos that are being flagged by group members, moderators can remove the offending person from the group by going to the groups' area and selecting "remove".

    To flag a video after watching a video, you'll notice a grey flag in the video details window to the left of the player. If you click this flag icon, you will flag this video and a message will be sent to the group's moderator(s).

    How do I use Gabble with my friends that don't have a webcam?

    Those without a webcam can still join Gabble and view videos within a group and they can upload videos from their computer.

    How do I know when recording starts?

    As you soon you select "Record Video" the recording begins.

    Can I upload and share non-video files using Gabble?

    Currently, you can not upload and share non-video files, such as Word or Excel documents, or PowerPoint slides. We are looking into this feature for future improvements. On a side note, you can post a URL in the optional text section for the viewer. They can click on the URL and go directly to the web page.

    Managing Groups & Conversations


    Will I be notified when someone posts a new video in my group(s)?

    Yes, if you're signed up for notifications for that group. Not sure? There are two places to check. First, go to your group page and look for this button:

    If you want to receive alerts for this group, click the button.

    Second, set what type of alerts you want to receive for all your groups by visiting the "My Profile" page. At the bottom-right are the Notification settings. You can choose "Email" or "Text Message" alerts, or "None" to disable alerts.

    Can I delete a video from a conversation?

    Yes, but it depends. We didn't want it to be too easy to delete a post from a conversation because then you'll have holes in the conversation. But there are two cases where posts can be deleted.

    First, anyone can delete their own post unless someone has replied to it. So, if you want to delete your post, act fast before one of your friends posts a response.

    Second, moderators can delete any post that has been flagged by someone. So, if you really want one of your posts deleted, flag it and then ask a moderator to delete it. Keep in mind that our policy states that if a flagged video is not unflagged or deleted within a day or 2 a Gabble admin will remove the video. See "How do I flag a video?"

    How can I leave a group?

    On the group page, click the "leave group" button. If you are the moderator of the group, you cannot leave until you have assigned someone else to be the moderator.

    How many groups can I create?

    At this time, there is no limit to the number of groups you can create.

    Is there a limit to the number of conversations I can have within a group?

    At this time, there is no limit to the number of conversations that can be created within a group.

    Profiles

    How do I change my profile image?

    Since Gabble is all about video, your profile image is taken from your most recent profile video message. When you add a new profile video, your profile image changes too.

    What is a profile video and what is it used for?

    Your profile videos are simply video updates about you and they are viewable by your friends from all your groups on Gabble. You can think of it as a video status message (i.e. Facebook) or a video micro-blog. It's an experimental feature so please use it however you like and let us know how we can improve it.

    How do I record my profile video?

    Your Profile Video is the video that everyone in each of your groups will see when they check your profile. Lots of people like to use their profile video like they would a blog video -- saying or showing something short that they want all their friends and family to see. It's a great place to show a little personality or have a little fun. Go to the "Videos" tab and select "Profile Videos" to record your Profile Video.

    Can I create a Public Group in Gabble?

    All groups within Gabble are private to those members within that group.

    How do I view my friends' profiles?

    Go to the "Groups & People" page & select "People" located under "My Community". Click on the person's name and their user profile will appear. Or whenever your friend's name is clickable on any page, this takes you to his/her profile page.

    Gabble Mobile

    Can I use Gabble on my phone?

    Yes! Go to http://m.hpgabble.com in your mobile browser. On the mobile site you can browse your groups, play, videos, and response with your pre-recorded Quick Responses.

    Can I send videos to Gabble from my phone?

    Yes! You can use your own unique email address to post videos directly to Gabble from your mobile phone.

    • Compose an email or MMS message to <unique_email_address>@hpgabble.com and attach a video file.
    • If you leave the Subject field blank, the video will appear in "Emailed Videos" section under the "Videos" tab of the main web site.
    • To post a video directly to a conversation, enter the conversation number (found at the top of the conversation page on the mobile site), in the Subject field.
    • To start a new conversation, enter the group number : your new conversation title. For example, "32:Restaurants in Palo Alto". You can find the group number and other info on your group page.
    • Enter any Optional Text in the body of the message.
    • Press Send

    Privacy

    Where do I find the Terms & Conditions, Community Guidelines & Privacy Policy?

    You can find links to all three of these at the bottom of each page on Gabble.

    Do my friends need to register for Gabble to watch a video?

    You can gabble someone (e.g., send them a direct message) and they will be able to watch that specific video. In order to reply to your video, they will need to register for Gabble join your group which means.

    How do I change my password?

    • Click the "My Profile" button at the top of any page
    • In the Account info area, select the Edit Button
    • Midway down the page, click on "Change Password"
    • Enter your current password, your new password (twice)
    • Click the "Change" button

    Can I download the video that my friend put in Gabble to my computer?

    No. All videos on Gabble are streamed from the server.

    Who can see my Gabble profile?

    Only those people in your groups can view your Gabble profile.

    Known Issues

    Webcam recordings sometimes pause and then "fast forward"

    Some videos recorded using a webcam are corrupted and result in the video pausing for a few or more seconds, while audio continues normally, then appear to play back in "fast forward" until the video again aligns with the audio stream. This usually occurs when the user is connected on a low-bandwidth or high-latency connection. Therefore it is more likely to happen from a country other than the US.

    Aspect ratio of uploaded videos is not always preserved
    Uploaded videos are always converted to a 4:3 aspect ratio to match the player window. The negative result of this is that widescreen videos (16:9 ratio) are then squeezed horizontally to fit. We are working on a solution to preserve widescreen aspect ratio videos.

    Video thumbnail images sometimes align incorrectly
    Sometimes the video thumbnails below the player window on the Home and My Profile pages are not displayed correctly. Instead of aligning horizontally in one row, they align vertically or in two horizontal rows. This problem is most likely to happen when there are a lot of thumbnails in the list.

    Video seems blurred and out of sync with audio
    This isn't likely a bug, but it's still worth describing here. A video camera is similar to a regular still camera in that it keeps it's shutter open long enough to capture enough light to take the picture. When you record a video in low light, say in a dark room, it takes you camera longer to capture enough light to make each frame of video and this lowers the frame rate (the number of frames per second) in the video. Also when the camera is taking longer to capture each frame of video, when you move around (like most of us do when we take a video) it will probably capture blurry images. It's just something to keep in mind when recording in a dark setting.