A Quick Guide on the Files Used in this Blog.

*I posted a new episode today, look at the post below this one to find it.

Thanks to a comment, I realized that people visiting this blog might be new to the file formats I upload. First, I will give a quick explanation of the files I upload, then I will talk about an easy way to play them. After that, I will also give a more advanced way to play everything, which is optional. At the end, will be quick guide on downloading since if you're new to all this, you might be downloading the wrong file.

The AVI file is the main episode, encoded with the XviD codec along with having MP3 audio. This is the file you want if you want to watch the episode only.

The SRT file is the subtitle file, which you can watch with the video to read along. Useful for the hearing-imparied, deaf, or English language learners. The "en" in the file name stands for "English".

The AC3 file is an audio format, just like the MP3. AC3 audio is usually used on DVDs. I upload it separately here because it is an alternate audio track that sometimes broadcasts with the episode on TV. Sometimes alternate track can be Spanish, or a "Descriptive Audio Track". The Descriptive Audio Track is useful for people who are seeing-impaired, blind, or English language learners.

If you want even more in-depth explanation, a little Google search will help you. =)

Onto to actually playing these files. If the only thing you want is the episode (AVI file), then all you need is a Media Player to play the file. The easiest solution I know of is using VLC Media Player, with this player you won't have to install any additional codecs or anything. You can get the VLC Media Player here. Subtitles do work with VLC Media Player and they work similar to Media Player Classic, but I'll get to that later.

If you want a slightly more complicated solution, or so you can still use Windows Media Player, then you will have to install a codec pack. This will allow you to play the alternate audio track, and it will also allow you to play the subtitle file while watching the episode. One such codec pack is the K-Lite Codec Pack, which comes in a variety of packages. You can find the K-Lite Codec Pack here. If you're new to this, then I recommend the Basic or Standard pack. I also recommend checking out the site and reading the stuff there since it has some useful information.

We're going into really advanced area here, stop reading now if you're not interested or already know how to do this. If you want to actually view the subtitles or listen to the alternate audio track while watching the episode, then you can use Media Player Classic (MPC). MPC is installed with the K-Lite Standard Pack. I named the uploaded files just right so you won't have to do any extra work if you want to watch them with MPC. Basically, you need to have the same filename (not file extension), in order for MPC to see the subtitle file and alternate audio track. Here's an example of what does work:

WordGirl_Episode.avi
WordGirl_Episode.srt
WordGirl_Episode.ac3

This setup will play fine if you open the AVI file in MPC. These will also work:

WordGirl_Episode.avi
WordGirl_Episode.en.srt
WordGirl_Episode.Spanish.ac3

Starting to see a pattern? Now when you actually use MPC, you can turn on or off the subtitles. While MPC is playing and the subtitle file is there, a little curved green arrow will appear in the tray area on the bottom-right of your screen. Here, you can right-click on it and choose to turn on/off the subtitles. You can also choose an alternate audio track here too, if is present. The other way to change audio tracks, if they are present, is within MPC. While MPC is playing the video file, go to the "Play" menu up on top, then "Audio". This is where a selection will show up and you can choose the audio track you want to listen to. I believe there is a way to get Windows Media Player to work the same way, but I currently don't know how. However, a little research should show how to do that if it is possible

Quite the large post. One more thing and I will be done! Some downloading help for those new to it. If you only want to download the episode, do not download the AC3 file or the SRT file. The AVI file is the one you want. Also, check the file size of the file you download! I post the file size next to the file name since strange things can sometimes happen while downloading. Make sure the file you download is close to the same file size I posted!

Alright, that should be it for now. I was vague on a few things on purpose since going into the details would be a shock to new people. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to post them in the comments below. Anonymous posting is allowed, so go for it! Also, if you are having playback problems, please post about it along with the details. No one will be able to help you otherwise!