Opening and playing Overcasts and videos
The Overcast Player can play Overcasts with video files stored on your computer's hard disk.

To begin playing an Overcast, do one of the following:

- Double-click on any Overcast file on your desktop or in Windows Explorer, or
- Open the Overcast Player, choose File > Open Overcast… and select the Overcast file

After you have selected an Overcast file, the Overcast Player will try to find the video file for the Overcast that you have chosen. If it finds the video file, it will load the video and get it ready for playing. If the Overcast Player cannot locate the video, it will ask you to locate the video file. If you do not have the video file, the Overcast may contain information that helps you find the video on the web.

Controlling playback in the Overcast Player
The controls for playing an Overcast and a video are similar to those found on media players and DVD players. When you play a video in the Overcast Player, the playback of the Overcast is automatically controlled by the Overcast Player so that it is always in sync.
The timeline shows the Overcast and the video. Looking at the timeline, you can tell where the Overcast clips are located in relation to the video. To go to a specific point in the movie, click anywhere in the timeline. To step forward or backwards through the Overcast clips, use the Next Clip and Previous Clip buttons located next to the Play/Pause button.

The Clip List
The Overcast Player can display a list of the Clips contained in the Overcast. The Clip List is a useful menu which can communicate how the Overcast is organized. You can think of the Clip List like the Chapters menu on a DVD. Click on the Clip List button in the lower right-hand corner to toggle the display of the Clip List. You can also use the Clip List to navigate in the video by simply clicking on any Clip name in the list.

Watching in Overdrive
For the times you want to watch only the portion of the show with Overcast Clips, we've provided a feature we call Overdrive. This feature is particularly useful if you've already seen a favorite TV show episode and you're watching it a second time with an Overcast. Clicking on the Overdrive button in the lower right-hand corner toggles the Overdrive mode on and off. When Overdrive is enabled, the Overcast Player automatically jumps from Overcast Clip to Overcast Clip saving you the need to use your mouse or remote control to see just the portions with Overcast Clips.

Controlling playback volume
The Overcast Player lets you set the relative volume levels between the Overcast Clips and the video. These volume settings are also relative to your PC's volume setting which is responsible for the overall audio level of your PC.

Clicking on Web Links
Overcasts can contain Text Clips which can open your web browser to a specific page associated with the current clip. Often, web links are used to provide additional information sources or services to purchase items related to the current clip. Text Clips with web links are denoted by an orange frame. When you see a web link, simply position your cursor anywhere within the Text Clip and click your mouse button. The Overast Player will automatically pause the Overcast and open your web browser to the proper web page.

Controlling playback with a remote control
The Overcast Player supports media remote controls like those that work with Microsoft's Media Center edition.

The Overcast Info Button
To see detailed information about the Overcast, click on the Overcast Info Button in the lower right-hand corner of the Overcast Player.

Select a new video
You can select a different video for your Overcast using "Select New Video…" from the Tools Menu. This is helpful if you have more than one version of the video or if you opened the wrong video file.

Tell the Overcast Player where you store your video
You can tell the Overcast Player where you store your video by selecting "Options…" from the Tools Menu. From the Overcast Player Options dialog, you can add or delete folders that the Overcast Player will use to automatically search for video files for an Overcast.

Create your own Overcast
Let's say you've just finished enjoying an Overcast and you're inspired to create your own Overcast for the same video. Go to Tools menu and select "Create Overcast…". The Overcast Studio will open with your video automatically loaded. Everything is set for you to begin creating your masterpiece. For more information about creating Overcasts, visit the Overcast Studio information page.