What follows are frequently asked questions about OverDrive Video titles and OverDrive Media Console. Click the question to hear the question and answer. Each answer is followed by a back to top link that leads back to the list of questions.
An OverDrive Video title is a digitally-protected video that has been optimized for download. OverDrive Video titles are built using the Microsoft® Windows Media® Video format, which enhances the quality for desktop viewing and portable device use.
With an intuitive interface, OverDrive Media Console allows you to download and enjoy OverDrive Video titles on most Windows® computers. Use OverDrive Media Console to navigate, play, and bookmark OverDrive titles, and to manage and customize your media library. OverDrive Media Console includes a built-in Transfer Wizard that allows you to transfer titles to your supported portable player in just a few clicks.
Note that OverDrive Media Console version 2.0 (or newer) is required to play OverDrive Video titles.
OverDrive media titles are often divided into 'Parts' in order to make downloading quick and easy. OverDrive Media Console allows you the flexibility to specify Parts for download. This enables you to begin using a title as soon as a Part has finished downloading, and return to download the remaining Parts later. Alternatively, if only a given Part of a file is of interest, you can simply download that desired Part.
Media library management…
OverDrive Media Console automatically creates, maintains, and displays a comprehensive library of downloaded media in a logical folder hierarchy. As titles are added to OverDrive Media Console, they are automatically moved into the appropriate folder(s). The organization system is also customizable, allowing you to create and name new folders to suit your needs. Within each folder, titles can be sorted by title, creator, date acquired, expiration date (when applicable), and date last played. If a title expires, OverDrive Media Console will prompt you to delete the unusable file from the library, keeping the media collection tidy and up-to-date.
Navigation of titles with MediaMarkers™…
Most OverDrive titles are divided into Parts, and Parts are then sub-divided into logical sections (such as scenes, as on a DVD). The beginning points of these logical sections are MediaMarkers, which are displayed as hyperlinks. When you click on a Part, the MediaMarkers associated with that Part are displayed in the right-hand portion of the 'OverDrive Media Explorer' window. Simply click on a MediaMarker to jump directly to, and begin play at, the desired section of a title. OverDrive Media Console also includes the conveniences of skipping back 15 seconds and advancing to the point furthest played.
Easy transfer of titles to portable devices for enjoying on-the-go…
OverDrive Media Console includes a built-in Transfer Wizard that allows you to transfer titles to supported portable devices in just a few clicks.
Note that upgrading OverDrive Media Console will not affect any content that you have previously downloaded; all items in the 'Media Library' will be maintained through this process.
Will upgrading OverDrive Media Console delete previously downloaded content?
Upgrading OverDrive Media Console will not affect any content that you have previously downloaded. All items in the 'Media Library' will be maintained through this process.
What is the 'Windows Media Player Security Upgrade' and how do I complete it?
The Windows Media Security Upgrade is a process that must be performed before Windows Media Player will allow any DRM-protected files to be downloaded. A security measure, the security update identifies the copy of Windows Media Player with the computer on which Windows Media Player is being used. Publishers often require this sort of security in order to discourage the unlawful redistribution of digital content.
If you have not previously performed the security upgrade, the first time that you attempt to download DRM-protected content, OverDrive Media Console checks to see if you need to complete the security upgrade. If a security upgrade is needed, a message is displayed notifying you that in order to download and play DRM-protected content, you must first upgrade the security of Windows Media Player. Follow the instructions provided in the message to complete the security update.
Alternatively, you may complete the security upgrade at any time. Complete the security upgrade as follows…
If you have Windows Media Player 11 (or newer)…
While connected to the Internet, open OverDrive Media Console.
Go to Tools > Windows Media Player Security Upgrade.
A dialog box is displayed, notifying you that Windows Media Player requires a security upgrade to play DRM-protected content.
Click 'OK' in the dialog box.
Windows Media Player opens and the 'Windows Media Player' dialog box is displayed.
Click 'Upgrade' to download and install the required security component.
Windows Media Player indicates that it is 'Connecting to server…'. Once connected, the security component is downloaded and installed. Windows Media Player indicates that the security component was upgraded successfully.
Click the 'Close' button in the 'Windows Media Player' dialog box.
The 'Media Usage Rights Acquisition' dialog box is displayed.
Click the 'Play' button in the 'Media Usage Rights Acquisition' dialog box to complete the upgrade.
Windows Media Player plays a brief file, confirming that you have completed the upgrade.
Click the 'Cancel' button to close the 'Media Usage Rights Acquisition' dialog box. If desired, you can also close Windows Media Player at this time.
You have successfully completed the Windows Media Player Security Upgrade.
If you have Windows Media Player 9 or 10…
While connected to the Internet, open OverDrive Media Console.
Go to Tools > Windows Media Player Security Upgrade.
A dialog box is displayed, notifying you that Windows Media Player requires a security upgrade to play DRM-protected content.
Click 'OK' in the dialog box.
Windows Media Player opens and, the 'Windows Media Player' dialog box is displayed.
Click 'Yes' in the 'Windows Media Player' dialog box to perform the upgrade.
The 'License Acquisition' dialog box is displayed, indicating that you have installed the Windows Media Player Security Upgrade.
Click the 'Play' button in the 'License Acquisition' dialog box to complete the upgrade.
Windows Media Player plays a brief file, confirming that you have completed the upgrade. If desired, you can also close Windows Media Player at this time.
You have successfully completed the Windows Media Player Security Upgrade.
If at a later time you need to upgrade the security of your Windows Media Player again, do so as follows…
If you have Windows Media Player 11 (or newer)…
While connected to the Internet, open OverDrive Media Console.
Go to Tools > Windows Media Player Security Upgrade.
A dialog box is displayed, notifying you of your current Windows Media Player security version and offering the option to re-upgrade.
To re-upgrade, click 'OK' in the dialog box.
Windows Media Player opens, and the 'Media Usage Rights Acquisition' dialog box is displayed.
Click 'Play' in the 'Media Usage Rights Acquisition' dialog box to perform the upgrade.
The 'Media Usage Rights Acquisition' dialog box closes, and Windows Media Player plays a brief file, confirming that you have completed the upgrade. If desired, you can close Windows Media Player at this time.
You have successfully completed the Windows Media Player Security Upgrade.
If you have Windows Media Player 9 or 10…
While connected to the Internet, open OverDrive Media Console.
Go to Tools > Windows Media Player Security Upgrade.
A dialog box is displayed, notifying you of your current Windows Media Player security version and offering the option to re-upgrade.
To re-upgrade, click 'OK' in the dialog box.
Windows Media Player opens, and the 'License Acquisition' dialog box is displayed.
Click 'Play' in the 'License Acquisition' dialog box to perform the upgrade.
The 'License Acquisition' dialog box closes, and Windows Media Player plays a brief file, confirming that you have completed the upgrade. If desired, you can close Windows Media Player at this time.
You have successfully completed the Windows Media Player Security Upgrade.
Why can't I transfer OverDrive Video titles directly to my iPod®, iPad™ or iPhone®, or use these files on my Mac®?
OverDrive Video titles, provided by OverDrive, Inc., use DRM protection technology from Microsoft Corporation. Apple® devices (iPod, iPad, iPhone) and the Mac operating system do not support DRM-protected WMV files.
OverDrive, along with hundreds of online digital media providers, is hopeful that Apple and Microsoft can reach an agreement that would enable support for Microsoft-based DRM-protected materials on the iPod, iPad, iPhone, and Mac.
After installing OverDrive Media Console and checking out a title, download the title as follows…
On Windows…
Click the title's 'Download' link.
You may be prompted to open or save the file. If you choose to save the file, navigate to the saved file and double-click it. Otherwise, choose to open the file.
OverDrive Media Console opens and the 'Get Media' dialog box is displayed.
In the OverDrive Media Console 'Get Media' dialog box, leave the default file path or specify a download location. Click the 'OK' button.
The 'Download' dialog box is displayed.
In the 'Download' dialog box, choose which Part(s) to download by placing a checkmark next to the desired Part(s), then click the 'OK' button.
The 'Download' dialog box closes, and the file download begins. Download progress is displayed for each Part in the OverDrive Media Console Status Bar (when enabled, the status bar is displayed across the bottom of the OverDrive Media Console window).
When the download is complete, click the 'Play' button to play the title.
On Windows Mobile…
Click the title's 'Download' link.
The 'Download' dialog box is displayed.
Check the 'Open file after download' checkbox in the 'Download' dialog box.
Click 'Yes' to download and open the ODM file for the title. The ODM file is a small file that opens OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile and begins the download process.
OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile opens and prompts you to specify a download location.
Click 'OK' to accept the default file location, or click 'Browse…' to specify a file location.
Select the Part(s) you want to download. By default, all Parts are checked.
Click 'OK' to start downloading the Part(s) you have selected.
The 'Download' dialog box closes, and the file download begins. Download progress for each Part is displayed at the bottom of the screen. When the first Part has finished downloading, click the 'Play' button to play the title.
How do I download OverDrive Video titles using Firefox®?
After you have installed OverDrive Media Console, download the title as follows…
After the title has been checked out, click on the 'Download' link.
If prompted, choose option 'Open with', and browse to 'OverDrive Media Console'. You can optionally adjust your settings so that you do not have to repeat this step going forward, check the box next to 'Do this automatically for files like this from now on'.
OverDrive Media Console opens and prompts you to specify a download location for the file.
In the OverDrive Media Console 'Get Media' dialog box, leave the default file path or specify a download location. Click the 'OK' button.
The 'Download' dialog box is displayed.
In the 'Download' dialog box, choose which Part(s) you would like to download by placing a checkmark next to the desired Part(s), then click the 'OK' button.
The 'Download' dialog box closes, and the file download begins. Download progress is displayed for each Part in the OverDrive Media Console Status Bar (when enabled, the status bar is displayed across the bottom of the OverDrive Media Console window).
When the download is complete, click the 'Play' button to play the title.
Note that the initial download is a small file; you download the actual video file(s) from within OverDrive Media Console.
If you have already downloaded a file with Firefox and are unable to open it, complete the following steps…
If you have Firefox 3.0 (or newer)…
Open Firefox.
Go to Tools > Options.
The 'Options' dialog box is displayed.
Select 'Applications'.
The 'Applications' options are displayed.
Search for the 'ODM' file extension.
The 'ODM file' content type is displayed.
Click the 'Action' column drop down for the 'ODM file' entry and select 'Use Other…'
The 'Select Helper Application' dialog box is displayed.
In the 'Select Helper Application' dialog box, click the 'Browse' button and navigate to the location at which OverDrive Media Console is installed (by default the application is installed to C:\Program Files\OverDrive Media Console) and select 'MediaConsole.exe'.
Click 'Open' in the 'Select Helper Application' dialog box.
The 'Select Helper Application' dialog box closes. The 'Options' dialog box is displayed. The 'Action' column for the 'ODM file' entry displays 'Use OverDrive Media Console'.
Click 'OK' to exit the 'Options' dialog box.
Be sure you are connected to the Internet, and browse to the ODM file you were unable to open. Double-click the file. OverDrive Media Console launches and prompts you to download the title.
If you have Firefox 2.0…
Open Firefox.
Go to Tools > Options.
The 'Options' dialog box is displayed.
Select 'Content'.
The 'Content' options are displayed.
Under the 'File Types' heading, click the 'Manage…' button.
The 'Download Actions' dialog box is displayed.
Select the 'ODM' file extension and click the 'Change Action' button.
The 'Change Action' dialog box is displayed.
Select option 'Open them with this application'.
The 'Select Helper Application' dialog box is displayed.
In the 'Select Helper Application' dialog box, navigate to the location at which OverDrive Media Console is installed (by default the application is installed to C:\Program Files\OverDrive Media Console) and select 'MediaConsole.exe'.
Click 'Open' in the 'Select Helper Application' dialog box.
The 'Select Helper Application' dialog box closes.
Click 'OK' in the 'Change Action' dialog box.
Click 'Close' in the 'Download Actions' dialog box.
Click 'OK' to exit the 'Options' dialog box.
Be sure you are connected to the Internet and browse to the ODM file you were unable to open. Double-click the file.
OverDrive Media Console launches and prompts you to download the title.
There are two 'Download' links for the title I checked out. Which one should I click?
OverDrive Video titles are available for download in 'Standard' and 'Mobile' versions. If you plan to watch a title on your computer using OverDrive Media Console, select the 'Standard' version. If you intend to transfer the video to a supported portable device or download it directly to a Windows Mobile device using OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile, choose the 'Mobile' version. Note that OverDrive Video is a high speed Internet-only product.
What is the difference between 'Standard' and 'Mobile' video?
'Standard' video is encoded at 650Kbps. 'Mobile' video is encoded at 500Kbps and is optimized for viewing on portable devices. One hour of 'Standard' video is approximately equal to 300MB of disk space, while one hour of 'Mobile' video is approximately equal to 200MB.
Some of the OverDrive Video titles say 'Public performance permitted'. What does this mean?
As defined by the Copyright Act (Title 17, U.S.C., Copyrights, Section 101, Definitions), a performance is considered 'public' when the work is performed in a 'place open to the public or at a place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of family and its social acquaintances are gathered.' If a title at this site is marked with the designation 'public performance permitted,' this means that the title may be used in a public setting, such as a classroom or a library story hour.
How do I skip to specific points in OverDrive Video titles?
You can navigate directly to a desired point in a title using 'Parts' and 'MediaMarkers™'. For ease of download and use, OverDrive Video titles are divided into Parts, and Parts are then divided into logical sections. The beginning points of these logical sections are MediaMarkers.
Use MediaMarkers as follows…
On Windows…
Open OverDrive Media Console.
Double-click a title in the Media Library.
The 'OverDrive Media Explorer' window is displayed.
Select a Part to display its MediaMarkers.
Select a MediaMarker to start play at that point in the Part.
On Windows Mobile…
Open OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile.
Select a title in the Media Library.
Click the 'Play' button.
The 'Media Explorer' window is displayed and the file begins playing.
Select View > Navigation.
Parts are displayed on the left-hand side of the window, and the MediaMarkers for the selected Part are displayed on the right-hand side of the window.
Select a Part to display its MediaMarkers.
Select a MediaMarker to start play at that point in the Part.
Can I change the point from which OverDrive Video titles begin when played?
Yes. OverDrive Media Console allows you to choose how media titles begin playing. The following options are available within OverDrive Media Console's 'Options' menu…
Option 'Automatically resume from most recently played point' sets OverDrive Media Console to begin play of titles at the point in the title where you either clicked 'Stop' or exited OverDrive Media Console while the title was playing. Note that this is the default setting for OverDrive Media Console v3.2 (or newer) and for OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile.
Option 'Automatically resume from furthest played point' sets OverDrive Media Console to advance to the furthest point to which the title was ever played.
Option 'Automatically play from beginning' sets OverDrive Media Console to begin play at the earliest point in the earliest Part of the title.
Option 'Disable auto-play' turns off the auto-play feature. When you launch a title in the OverDrive Media Explorer window, the title will not play until you click the 'Play' button.
To change the point at which videos start playing in OverDrive Media Console for Windows…
In OverDrive Media Console, click Tools > Options….
The 'Options' dialog box is displayed.
Under 'Media Explorer auto-play options' select the desired media starting point.
Click 'OK'.
The 'Options' dialog box closes. Going forward, playback will be handled according to the option specified.
To change the point at which videos start playing in OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile…
In OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile, click Menu > Options….
The 'Options' dialog box is displayed.
Under 'Media' [Pocket PC (Touch screen)] or 'Media Explorer auto-play' [Smartphone (Non-Touch screen)] select the desired media starting point.
Click 'OK'.
The 'Options' dialog box closes. Going forward, playback will be handled according to the option specified.
Where are OverDrive Video titles saved on my computer?
The default download location depends on which operating system you have and the type of video you downloaded. OverDrive Videos are saved to the following locations by default…
For standard OverDrive Videos…
On Windows Vista (or newer)…
Documents > My Media > WMV Videos (standard)
On Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows 98SE…
My Documents > My Media > WMV Videos (standard)
For mobile OverDrive Videos…
On Windows Vista (or newer)…
Documents > My Media > WMV Videos (mobile)
On Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows 98SE, and Windows Mobile 5 and 6…
My Documents > My Media > WMV Videos (mobile)
OverDrive Media Console allows you to modify these default locations and save OverDrive Videos to alternative locations.
Note that in order to use OverDrive Video titles on a device, the device must play DRM-protected Windows Media Video content, and either support the bit rate of 500kbps or be able to transcode 500kbps files to a supported bit rate.
You may want to check device documentation to determine if your device supports DRM-protected Windows Media Video content at 500kbps.
In OverDrive Media Console, highlight a title and click the 'Transfer' button.
The Transfer Wizard is displayed.
Verify that the correct title is displayed on the first screen of the Transfer Wizard and click 'Next'.
The Transfer Wizard searches for a connected portable device.
If your device is not detected, the Transfer Wizard will display a message stating that 'no portable players could be found.' Click here for more information about why your portable player could not be found.
If your device is detected the 'Confirm' screen is displayed.
In the 'Confirm' dialog box, select the Part(s) you want to transfer by checking the box(es) next to the Part name(s).
Click 'Next' to begin transferring the file(s) to your device.
When the transfer is complete, the Transfer Wizard displays a 'Success' message.
Click 'Finish' to exit the Transfer Wizard.
You may now disconnect your portable device.
How much free disk space do I need to have in order to transfer videos to a portable device?
The amount of free space needed depends on the length of the OverDrive Video title that you want to transfer. One hour of mobile video is approximately equal to 200MB.
Note that if you are using OverDrive Media Console v2.1 (or newer), the Transfer Wizard will alert you if you do not have enough storage space on your device to accommodate the files that you are attempting to transfer. Depending on your portable player, the Transfer Wizard may allow you to delete files on your portable player in order to make room for the files you want to transfer.
Bit rate is a measure of the quantity of data transferred from your device's memory to its decoder. Different devices support different ranges of bit rates. Some devices are able to convert unsupported bit rates to supported bit rates, a process called 'transcoding'.
