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We’ve recently upgraded our video player to use the new HTML5 video format that is compatible with all the new mobile devices. Reboot your computer and then try refreshing your browser a couple of times.

Internet Explorer:
If you are using Internet Explorer and are getting a spinning white circle, then try refreshing your browser a couple of times. Some people using Internet Explorer are having this problem and it resolves after a few refreshes. We don’t know what the problem is but other web browsers don’t seem to have an issue. You can try using Firefox or Google Chrome, you can Google them for their respective download pages.

Apple/Mac:
A few people with older Macs are having a similar problem. There may be an issue with the older Safari versions, you can try using Firefox or Google Chrome, you can Google them for their respective download pages.

Older computers and Operating Systems:
The new HTML5 video format did not exist a few years ago, so if your operating system and/or Web browser predates this, you may experience problems.

Flash Settings:
For systems that use Flash, move your mouse over the video area, then <right-click> and go to Global Settings.  Select the "Allow sites to save information on this computer".  This allows Flash to track the video progress and has nothing to do with your personal information.

Choppy video is a possible indicator that the speed of incoming data is not keeping pace with the video.

Possible Solutions:

• Reboot your computer and internet connection equipment and try again.
• Check your wireless signal strength to your computer.  Weak signals can cause packet loss requiring your computer to request the video data to be resent, thus causing a choppy symptom.  For instance, if you only have 1 or 2 bars, that may be an issue.
• If you can normally watch the videos without problem, your ISP may be having a temporary issue. Give them a day to resolve.
• For systems that use Flash, update your version of Flash at: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer
• Test your Internet Connection speed below.
• Change Video Quality: While watching the video, in the lower right, click on the little yellow squares and manually set the "Video Quality" to Low.  Give it 30-60 seconds for the change to take place. This causes less data to be transferred over the internet and may resolve the issue for you.

Speed Test:  http://speedtest.net

You can test your connection speed at the link below.  Please note that speeds under 1mbps (megabits per second) may experience problems with the higher quality of video.

The new HTML5 video format did not exist a few years ago, so if your operating system and/or Web browser predates this, you may experience problems.

First thing you can try is to change your Flash (or video) settings ( over the video area).  When you attempt to watch a show, where the video should be try to and see if it will bring up the Flash/Video settings.  You can try different settings regarding privacy and hardware acceleration.  Do not set any settings to allow other sites to use your camera.

There are a handful of XP users that have reported a problem watching the videos.  Their symptom is a green or black screen, sometimes with audio.  Some of them have had success by clicking "Slower Internet Speeds", which gives them a smaller version of the video and for some reason it works for some members.  One reported it also worked after refreshing a couple of times.

One person was able to watch if she logged into her XP computer under a different user that was hardly used.  My guess is that there may be outdated or incompatible software installed on the main user account, causing issues with Flash and/or streaming video or blocking the video server from being able to detect her connection speed.  If you try this and it works, please let us know.

We are aware that there is an issue with a few XP users, but not all of them.  Our video service has not been able to duplicate the problem themselves and therefore have not found a solution as of yet.  We are at a loss to know what to do at this point.  We would encourage anyone to upgrade their operating system as mainstream support for XP Service Pack 3 ended April 14, 2009 (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/products/lifecycle) and have not released a significant updates in years, simply put, it is a dead product for them regarding further development.  Sooner or later, XP simply will not work with the rest of the internet because it will be too outdated, it's the way of technology, not us.

One member wrote:

"I have found the solution to my viewing problem – PATIENCE!!  If I leave the window open for 10 minutes or so, the black screen turns into the regular viewing screen with the start arrow!  An easy solution for me."

Update to the most current version of Flash Player for Free:

http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

You can also check the Status of Your Flash Player Version at:

http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/155/tn_15507.html

All the primary "Quilt Shows" are compatible with all the current computers and devices.  Some of the older videos within classrooms or other places on the website that were rendered in pure Flash prior to iPad, may be displaying this message.  In that case, you'll need a computer that can play Flash Videos.

For iPad Users:

There is an app called "Skyfire for iPad" that converts Flash based video into an iPad viewable format.  These are general instructions.

• First, you'll need to setup an Apple Id if you don't already have one: https://appleid.apple.com
• Once you have an Apple Id, go to http://skyfire.com
• Navigation: Download -> iPad
• Click the "Available in the iPad App Store" button and run the program and install the app
• Once installed, click the SkyFire icon on your iPad to run the app
• Browse to a video on our site
• Whenever you receive a message that the video is not encoded for your device, click the "Video" icon in the lower left
• Follow any instructions from there

For a list of all the Shows, in the navigation bar, click on "Watch Shows" -> "Show List" or click here

For a list of FREE shows, in the navigation bar, click on "Watch Shows" -> "Free Shows" or click here

Click on "Watch Shows" -> "Show List" or click here

• Possible Solution:
  • Install the most current version of Adobe Reader at: http://get.adobe.com/reader
  • Reboot your computer and try again.
• Possible Solution to "Corrupt File" message:
  • It means your system did not properly download the entire file.  This can be caused by a number of reasons.
    • Poor wireless connection: creates packet loss and for large files some data will be missing.
    • Very slow and/or poor internet connection: creates packet loss and for large files some data will be missing.
    • Possible Solutions:
      • Reboot your entire system including the wireless network, DSL modem or Cable modem.
      • You can test your internet connection at: http://speakeasy.net/speedtest
      • Have your ISP test your internet connection of static and/or packet loss.

Contact tech support if you still have a problem.

• Login to your account
• Click "Shoppe" in the main navigation
• Scroll down and click the "Purchase Series DVDs" button
• Should be intuitive from there. 

IMPORTANT: Make sure your Billing Address is entered when you go through the checkout.

• Redeem only one gift certificate at a time. 
• Past Series Gift Certificates for $19.95 are not valid to purchase a DVD, they are for online viewing only.

There are different types of gift certificates, we have broken them down below:

• Membership Gift Certificate:
  • This was either given to you or you'll find them under "My Account"
  • If you have not joined yet, join as a Basic member first - Click Here.
  • Login to the Quilt Show. 
  • Click the "Renew Membership" or "Purchase a Membership" button on the right.
  • Select the membership that corresponds with the gift certificate and click "Add to Cart"
  • Enter your gift certificate number in Step 1 in the coupon section
  • Click the "Validate" button.
  • If valid, you'll get a message below "No Payment Due" - click "Continue" to apply the gift certificate.
  • If not valid, you'll get a message on top stating the problem.  Should all be self explanatory.
• Past Series Gift Certificate:
  • This was either given to you or you'll find them under "My Account"
  • If you have not joined yet, join as a Basic member first - Click Here.
  • Login to the Quilt Show. 
  • Click the "Purchase Past Shows" button on the right.
  • Click on 1 Series icon (not a show) to add it to the cart.
  • Click "Checkout"
  • Enter your gift certificate number in Step 1 in the coupon section
  • Click the "Validate" button.
  • If valid, you'll get a message below "No Payment Due" - click "Continue" to apply the gift certificate.
  • If not valid, you'll get a message on top stating the problem.  Should all be self explanatory.
• Past Shows Gift Certificate:
  • This was either given to you or you'll find them under "My Account"
  • If you have not joined yet, join as a Basic member first - Click Here.
  • Login to the Quilt Show. 
  • Click the "Purchase Past Shows" button on the right.
  • Click on each individual show icon to add it to the cart.
  • When you have reached the number of shows (usually 3) that correspond with the value of the certificate, click "Checkout"
  • Enter your gift certificate number in Step 1 in the coupon section
  • Click the "Validate" button.
  • If valid, you'll get a message below "No Payment Due" - click "Continue" to apply the gift certificate.
  • If not valid, you'll get a message on top stating the problem.  Should all be self explanatory.

If there is a balance due then one the following has occurred:

• The Gift Certificate was not validated, there was an error message
• The Gift Certificate is for a different purpose than you are trying to use it for.  You'll see an error message
• The Gift Certificate value is not equal to the value of the items you've added to the shopping cart.  For instance, a GC for 3 past shows have a value of $7.95 but you've added 6 shows to the shopping cart for a value of $12.95, leaving a balance due of $5.00.  This is fine, you simply pay the difference by going through the checkout proccess.

Simple:

• Click on the "Purchase Gift Cert." button on the right or Click Here.
• Select either "Gift Certificate for 1 Year Membership" or "Gift Certificate for 6 Months Membership" and click "Add to Cart"
• Click "Checkout Now"
• Under "Purchase a Gift Certificate Only", click "Continue".
• Enter your Billing information and continue with the checkout process.
   

All our Main Shows are iPad compatible.  Some of the older classes or videos are rendered in pure Flash.  If you come across a video in pure Flash, you'll see a message similar to "This video is not encoded for this device".

To play videos rendered in pure Flash, there is an app called "Skyfire for iPad" that converts Flash based video into an iPad viewable format.  These are general instructions.

• First, you'll need to setup an Apple Id if you don't already have one: https://appleid.apple.com
• Once you have an Apple Id, go to http://skyfire.com
• Navigation: Download -> iPad
• Click the "Available in the iPad App Store" button and run the program and install the app
• Once installed, click the SkyFire icon on your iPad to run the app
• Browse to a video on our site
• Whenever you receive a message that the video is not encoded for your device, click the "Video" icon in the lower left
• Follow any instructions from there

A number of features on the site are free to Basic Members who have not purchased a Star Membership.  There are some free classes, free projects, free member blogs and more.

Also, if you Star membership expires, you simply revert back to a Basic member and can upgrade to Star membership at any time.

There are free shows to Basic members.  Click on "Watch Shows" -> "Free Shows"

Like a magazine subscription, you get unlimited access to the shows released during your subscription. The "Starting Episode" under "My Account" is the current episode when you paid.

To see what shows you can watch, go to "My Account" and click "My Shows I can Watch".

Shows that are prior to your "Starting Episode" are considered "Past Shows" and are purchased Separately: To purchase Past Shows, click here

Star Feature Access: You have access to all the different website features through the term of your membership (see Star Feature Access date below).  This will include things such as the BOM, Classrooms, Searching and so on.

Definitions in My Account:

• Term of Subscription: The type of membership you purchased and the length of time
• Date Purchased: The date you paid for the subscription/membership.  This may be different than Date Begins.
• Starting Episode: The show (episode) number that begins your Term of Subscription.
• Subscription Begins: Either the date you paid or the date that you last subscription ends.  Each subscription is added onto the previous one, even if you buy a year in advance.
• Subscription Ends: The date your membership/subscription ends.  This becomes your "Renew By" date in the right column.

You will always be able to watch the shows that you've purchased or that became available during your Star Membership(s).  They never expire and you can watch as many times as you like.

If your Star Membership expires, your account remains active, you simply revert to Basic Membership status.  Meaning, you will not be able to see new shows as they become available.

You can "Renew" at any time.

To see what shows you can watch, go to "My Account" and click "My Shows I can Watch".

To change my Newsletter Subscription Status:

• Under "My Account", you'll find a link: Newsletter: Subscribe or Unsubscribe or Click Here.
• Check the box to subscribe, uncheck to un-subscribe.

IMPORTANT!  If you verify you are subscribed, that means we are sending our newsletter to you but something is blocking it on your end.  Either your email service (AOL, gmail, yahoo...), or private web server (YourDomainName.com), or email program (Windows Mail, Outlook, Express, Mac Mail...), or spam program (too many to list), or your anti-virus program (Norton, McAfee...) are considering our automated emails as spam and are blocking the emails or moving them to your spam folder.  To fix this, you must setup thequiltshow.com as a trusted host and/or to allow emails from thequiltshow.com.

I've looked under "My Account" and I'm subscribed, the box is checked, but I'm not still receiving your newsletter:

• Make sure it's not ending up in your spam box.
• Double check that your spam filters are not blocking thequiltshow.com
• Add thequiltshow.com to your TRUSTED / ALLOWED HOSTS list in your email account, email program and/or spam and anti-virus programs.

I've looked under "My Account" and I'm UN-Subscribed, the box is unchecked:

• You'll see the date you were un-subscribed. If a newsletter is returned to us as undeliverable, our system will automatically unsubscribe your account so we don't keep sending emails to bad accounts.  This is a recognized practice with most reputable newsletter websites.
• Double check your email address for correctness under "My Account" and subscribe again by checking the box and click submit. 
• If it keeps happening, then something is blocking the delivery of our newsletter.  Contact our tech support.

To Unsubscribe from the newsletter:

There is a link "Unsubscribe" at the bottom of every newsletter.

• Past Series:
  • If you have not joined yet, join as a Basic member first - Click Here.
  • Login to the Quilt Show. 
  • Click the "Purchase Past Shows" button on the right.
  • Click on 1 Series icon (not a show) to add it to the cart.
  • Click "Checkout"
  • Continue with the checkout process.
• Past Shows:
  • If you have not joined yet, join as a Basic member first - Click Here.
  • Login to the Quilt Show. 
  • Click the "Purchase Past Shows" button on the right.
  • Click on each individual show icon to add it to the cart.
  • When you have reached the number of shows (usually 3) that correspond with the value of the certificate, click "Checkout"
  • Click "Checkout"
  • Continue with the checkout process.

The puzzle website (http://www.jigsawplanet.com) does not belong to us, we simply use them to create puzzles for fun.  They currently use Java to create their puzzles and unfortunately, Java is not available on some of the mobile devices like iPad.

For support, you can visit their help page at: http://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=faq

If you are experiencing problems, try updating your version of Java at http://java.com then reboot.  Some members found that successful.
(Mac users have an Apple version of Java, you may need to update that.)

Some people have a problem when clicking on a link (from our newsletters) using certain online email programs with versions of operating systems (such as Verizon and Windows XP).  Don't know why, but it appears that when you click on an email link with some online email readers, it will open a new browser that may have a restriction in conjunction with your browser settings that cause an automated secure login to not be successful.

• Close all browsers and open a new one
• Login at http://www.thequiltshow.com
• If you cannot login to the main site in #2 above, click “Can’t Login” and a new password will be emailed to you along with your screen name.  Then proceed to #4 after you successfully login.
• Click on “Shoppe” in the top navigation bar.
• You should see "My  Account" and "Logoff" in big blue letter in the upper right of the site.
• If you do not see "My Account" but rather still see "Login / Register", then follow step 6.
• Click Here for tech support and tell us what operating system you are using (ie: Window 7, Vista, XP... or Mac).

We call the slideshows "Behind the Scenes".  You can get to them from two menus:

• Main Menu: Move your mouse over "Watch Shows" but do not click.  "Behind the Scenes" will appear in the drop down
• Shows Menu: While in the shows area, you'll see "Behind the Scenes" in the menu.  Just click it.

Smilebox is a 3rd party website that we use and they use Flash for their presentation.

• First, try clearing your cache (temporary internet files).  Smilebox says that sometimes works.
• Make sure your Flash is the most current at http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer
• iPad Users: Read our FAQ Help section about IPAD:

XP users may have issues with multiple versions of Flash installed on their computer.  To rectify, uninstall every instance of Flash from your programs, reboot your computer, then install the most current version at http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer

One member reported her solution:

I recently corresponded with John about asking if he knew why Smileboxes wouldn't play on my Mac. I discovered that my "shopathome" toolbar was somehow taking me to the shopathome Smilebox Home Page instead of the specific Smilebox in the link. Don't ask me why or how...it just was. When I disabled the toolbar (thru Firefox) I was then able to view the Smilebox. I think probably I stopped being able to view Smileboxes when I downloaded the toolbar originally (maybe 3 months ago.)

Here’s what the primary issue may be: Streaming video is a little different than let’s say youtube. What is happening if everything else is fine, is that your computer is not processing the sound track properly. With the couple of people who’ve reported that issues, there was a conflict within their computer system software or video card drivers. Most of them were using computer systems that were years old but not all.  Two of them had someone with technical knowledge look at their computer and were able to fix the conflict.

We hate to suggest you pay to have someone take a look because they may not be able to resolve it. Maybe you have a friend or relative who can take a look???

You should also make sure you are using the most current version of Flash Player:

http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer