Video reports are general news bulletins read by our most famous creation, Ananova, who is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's first virtual newscaster.
They are created using a unique combination of computer animation, text-to-speech and real-time information systems
Video reports are available to watch on either Real player or Windows Media.
To watch our most recent news bulletin go to the video reports page and click on the video reports you would like to see. http://www.ananova.com/video/
You will be offered a news bulletin in either 'Low' or 'High' resolution. You should choose 'low' if you have a 56K (or less) modem. If you have a data rate greater than 80K you can choose 'high' resolution, although both will work.
In the bulletins you will be given a choice of story subjects. You can choose between Regular, Light, Sporty or Quirky.
If you are using Real Player just click on the screen to select the news you want. Ananova will talk you through the options. If you are using Windows media player, click on the links on the video home page.
How do I install a player and do I have to pay for this?
To watch and interact with Ananova's bulletins, you need either Windows Media player or Real Player version 8 Basic (or higher).
Real Player
Real Player
You can download the Basic version at http://www.real.com/player/index.html for free. You do not have to opt for any version that costs money. There are many advertisements that give a false impression you have to buy the player - follow the links to the Basic version that is free.
Choose the minimum requirements for the quickest download time. To watch Ananova's bulletins you don't need to choose any of the extra features offered.
Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player should already be installed on your PC. If it is not, then you can install this at http://windowsmedia.com/download/download.asp, you will need version 7.1 or greater.
Simply click on download now and there is no charge for this installation.
What type of news can I get from Ananova Video reports?
In the bulletins you will be given choices about which stories you want to hear. You can choose between Regular, Light, Sporty or Quirky.
- Choose Regular for the most traditional type of news stories such as court cases, earthquakes, politics and war.
- Choose Light for a lighter kind of news that features showbiz stories.
- Choose Sporty for all your sports stories.
- Choose Quirky for the kind of bizarre stories you might want to tell your friends.
Just click on the screen to select the news you want. Ananova will talk you through the options.
What do I need to do before launching the video reports?
Try this test,
Press the buttons below. (Choose 'Open this file from its current location.')
Audio check
Real Player video check 
Windows Media Player video check 
If you can see and hear Ananova then you have everything you need to watch Ananova! Click on "Video Reports" throughout the site, or at the top of the page.
ear Ananova then you have everything you need to watch Ananova! Click on "Video Reports" throughout the site, or at the top of the page.
If you can't hear the video reports here are some suggestions to help you identify the problem.
If you can't see or hear the video reports there are some suggestions to help you identify the problem.
I can't hear the video reports, what can I do?
If you can't usually hear sound from your computer you can check if you have a sound card and speakers or headphones. The headphones should not be plugged into the CD drive unit. Then check that the volume is not muted on your system.
If you can usually hear sound from your PC then you should check if your chosen player is the default player for .rm (RealPlayer) or .wmv (WindowsPlayer) files?
From your 'start up' menu choose: settings>control panel>folder options>filetypes.
Scroll to the '.rm' extension if you are using Real Player. If the file is not already associated with RealPlayer click 'change' to select the RealMedia file.
If you are using WindowsMedia then scroll to '.wmv' extension and check that the file is Windows Media Audio/Video file.
Also, check that the volume is not muted in your player.
The bottom corner of your player should look like this:
our player should look like this:
Real Player:
Windows Media Player:
But NOT like this:
Real Player:
Windows Media Player:
It could be possible that you do not have a valid install your player
I can't see or hear the video reports, what can I do?
If you are using Real Player and are logged on at work check with your IT support/administrator to see if you can receive "rtsp" protocol. There may be a firewall blocking it.
Video reports can be paused by clicking the pause button, or in the case of Windows Media Player also by simply clicking on the video screen. You should double check that you haven't inadvertently paused the bulletin.
If the video reports are launching but they are erratic or randomly freeze it may be that you are trying to watch the reports on "high" resolution but your data connection is not compatible with this.
You will be offered a news bulletin in either 'Low' or 'High' resolution. You should choose 'low' if you have a 56K (or less) modem. If you have a data rate greater than 80K you can choose 'high' resolution, although both will work.
When the video reports stop without warning, along with your internet connection it could be due to a waiting phone call on your internet line. You can stop this connection problem by disabling call waiting on this phone line.
If the data rate you are achieving is not as high as it could be Ananova may freeze or become jumpy. This can be caused by it being a busy time day when your ISP or phone provider may have you sharing your connection. Perhaps you can try at a less busy time to check if this is the cause.
The windows media version is not available to NETSCAPE and Mac operating system users at this time although this will become available in the near future.
Can I watch the video reports on a different platform?
Video reports are available to watch on either Real player or Windows Media player.
If you have watched video reports before you will automatically be shown the reports in the same format as your previous viewing. If you would like to change the format then simply click on the alternative option on the front of the video reports screen.
I closed the bulletin and it started again from the beginning! Can Ananova remember where I stopped watching?
Ananova is streamed live to you. If you disconnect the bulletin, the bulletin will be streamed from the start. If you have waited a few minutes the stories will probably have changed anyway! You can pause the bulletin for a few minutes if you are called away by clicking the pause button on the screen.
I heard a story earlier that I would like to show someone but now it's gone.
Ananova is updated continuously. The top news story 20 minutes ago may well have changed. You can search the website for a text version of the story by using the site search facility.
For this reason you also can't save the bulletin for later, the stories you hear are always up to date.
How do I manually configure NETSCAPE to work with video reports?
You must manually configure NETSCAPE to recognize Realmedia files. Click here for technical instructions
The windows media version is not available to NETSCAPE and Mac operating system users at this time although this will become available in the near future.
