Frequently Asked Questions

What is mailVU?

mailVU.com was created to allow video mail messages to be shared with anyone on the Internet in an easy to use, private and secure manner. Just Click, Record, and Send. It is a great way to share information with a personal touch that you can't get with text or instant messaging.

How much does it cost?

mailVU video mail service is free to use, and no account is required. Enjoy!

What do I need to use it?

• A computer with any modern browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari, etc.)
• Adobe Flash (if you don't already have it you can download it here)
• A webcam
• A microphone

Do I need to download software?

No. mailVU video email service works in your browser. There is no software to download and no risk of viruses.

How do I use it?

Go to http://mailVU.com. You will be prompted to allow access to your webcam. Click the Record button to begin your video message. When done click Stop. You can click Play to preview the message. At the bottom of the screen you have options to set a deletion time period, either in number of views or in the number of days. You can email the video, and decide if you want to be copied or have read notification. That's all there is to it. The recipient will get an email in their mailbox with a picture of you and the text message you entered. They click on the picture to play the video.

How do I know my video email has been sent?

You will receive a confirmation email whenever you send a video mail.

How do I know if the recipient viewed the video mail?

Click on the Read Notification option when emailing your video. You will be notified every time the video is viewed.

Can I retract a video mail already sent?

Yes you can. In the Sent Confirmation email there is an option to delete your message. The deletion is immediate, however keep in mind the recipient may have viewed the video prior to you deleting it.

How to I select a different webcam or special effect program?

Below the recording window is a drop down list of webcam options on your computer. Click on the webcam or program you want to use.

If I don't specify a deletion date, how long will the video email be available for viewing?

The default expiration time is 30 days. At that point the files will be deleted from our servers. If you want to specify a different date simply change the 30 days to anything between 1 and 365.

Can I view my recording before I send it?

Yes. After recording click on the Play button to watch it. If you are happy with it go ahead and email it. If you want to re-record click the Record button again and it will overwrite the previous video.

How can I send my video mail to more than one person?

When entering multiple email addresses, separate each one with a comma.

Who can see my videos?

The only person who can see your video is the person to whom you sent the video mail. Keep in mind that any email can be forwarded to others. To minimize the potential of your video being shared with others you can set a self-destruct option of 1 view.

Will video mails consume a lot of space in my inbox?

No. The messages are under 25kb in size, smaller than typical Word documents. We store the large video files on our servers so it does not consume space in your mailbox. This also allows us to implement your deletion time frame selection, and provide read notification.

Can I view mailVU video emails on my iPhone, Droid, or Blackberry?

Yes, you can! It will directly play on latest software version of most phones.

Help! I have no sound when I record.

Make sure your microphone is enabled: Click on Control Panel, Hardware and Sound, Sound, Recording. You should see your microphone icon with a Green check mark on it. If there is no Green check mark, it means it is disabled. To enable the Microphone Right click on Microphone and click on Enable. If you do not see the Microphone in the list, Right click on the White space and select Show disabled devices. Then you would see the Microphone. Right click on it and click on Enable.

Now set the microphone Sensitivity level:

• Select Microphone and click on Properties button.
• Adjust the slider to the right until to 80-100 % of its range.
• If Mute is on, click the mute button to un-mute the device.
• If Microphone Boost is available, boost the volume.
• Click OK to make the changes.

Help! I have no webcam video.

Make sure all other webcam programs are turned off (VID, Skype, etc.). Go to Control Panel, Hardware, Devices and look for your webcam. Go through the tabs to make sure it is Enabled. If you do not see the webcam in the list, right click on the white space and select Show disabled devices. If you still don't see your webcam then you will need to reload the webcam software drivers, either from disc or the manufacturer's website.

The other person gets a “Server Not Found” message when trying to view my video.

This occurs whenever there is a firewall block on RTMP video applications. Some businesses block this access from work locations. Tell your friend to try opening the video from home and they should be able to play the video with no issues.

I have a great idea for mailVU. Where do I send it?

For all ideas, suggestions and requests send video mail or email to support@mailVU.com.