We receive a lot of questions about the services we offer on Hibernian Interactive, and many of these are repetitive. We understand that computers and the internet can be very confusing for a lot of people - it's not like just turning on your television! So we have built this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page for the benefit of prospective subscribers to our services and existing subscribers of course!

The FAQ is a collection of the more common questions we are asked, if however your own issue is not here then you can contact us via our Problem Feedback form, and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible. This page is constantly being reviewed so this should always be your first port of call for any issues you may have in using the many on-line services provided by Hibernain Interactive.

FAQ Sections

General Issues
Technical Issues
Navigation Issues including Links
Useful Downloads

General Issues

Q: What is Hibernian Interactive?

A: The collective name for a number of services provided via the official Hibernian F.C. web site (http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk).  While the web site provides daily news, features, statistics and other information, there are also ‘interactive’ elements of the site.  These include live video and audio broadcasts of Hibernian games, video highlights of all Hibernian games including archives from recent and classic moments in the history of the club.  These are ‘premium’ services provided to subscribers only, under the single banner of ‘Hibernian Interactive’.

Q: Who runs Hibernian Interactive?

A: The service is run by a team of Hibernian Supporters who have volunteered for the job – all are unpaid, and have developed the skills to deliver these services over several years of working on the Internet.  Hibernian Football Club has purchased the equipment used entirely from subscriptions received via Hibernian Interactive services, and all profits generated from these services go to the football club itself.

Q: So what does it cost?

A: There are several ‘packages’ on offer and these are outlined on the web site with links at the foot of this FAQ.  Currently, it is possible to pay £29.99 a year and this provides access to live audio broadcasts of games, recorded highlights in both video and audio of games and a video archive.  We also provide a monthly access package at £4.99 per month, which provides the same access as the annual subscription.

Hibernian Interactive will also provide live video broadcasts of all Hibernian home SPL games and selected away and cup games.  These are offered to both current subscribers and non-subscribers at prices advertised on a game-by-game basis. Currently our live video broadcasts are only available to people who are resident outwith the United Kingdom and Ireland. There is however a service offered by Hibernian Interactive showing full 90-minutes of all SPL and most other games, this service we call 'LiveUK' and again details can be found on the LiveUK page.

Q: I’m an annual or monthly member – why can’t I get live video?

A: The costs involved in providing live video are very much greater than for pre-recorded ‘highlights’ packages, and so an additional charge must be made for such broadcasts.

Q: I live in the UK or Ireland – why can’t I get live video?

A: Current UEFA regulations, along with agreements reached with television companies by the Scottish Premier League, prohibit the live broadcast of games to an audience in the same country.  For that reason, any live video broadcasts by Hibernian Interactive must be blocked for viewing within the United Kingdom and Ireland if we are to adhere to the current regulations in place.

Q: Can I see whole games in the UK then?

A: Yes.  The regulations currently permit delayed broadcast of an entire SPL game.  These can be shown from midnight on the Sunday for weekend games, or midnight on the day of the game for midweek games.  Hibernian Interactive currently provide a service we call ‘LiveUK’ for which you may subscribe no matter where you live, showing such games 24 hours a day from Monday at 00:01hrs to Saturday at 12:00hrs   Details on this service are on the web site, see also the links at the foot of this FAQ.

Technical

Q: What do I need to watch video?

A: For both live and pre-recorded video, you really need to be connected to the Internet via a Broadband (ADSL, SDSL or Cable) with a minimum download speed of 350kb – but the higher the better.  You would also need the latest version of Windows Media Player installed on your computer for live broadcasts, and/or Real Media player for our video highlights. Links are provided at the foot of this FAQ for downloading the latest versions of these media packages.

Q: I meet the minimum criteria but it still does not work – why?

A: There is no easy answer to this question!  Computers come in many shapes and sizes, each configured uniquely to their owner’s requirements.  Different software packages and hardware packages co-exist on each computer, and so there are several things that can conspire to frustrate the computer user who wishes to view live video!  Our broadcast using Windows Media are aimed at the widest possible configurations, but we cannot ever guarantee that you will be able to view every time, nobody can.

For our live services, we broadcast throughout the week to allow prospective subscribers to view the signal and test if their particular system is able to receive.  If you can view and listen to the test, then you can be fairly confident that the live broadcast will work for you as it is sent out using exactly the same system.

However even then problems can arise, for example depending on local conditions you may find heavy buffering at times making viewing difficult.  This can also happen if you try to run several Internet applications at the same time.  Again, there are a myriad of reasons why this can happen and they can’t all be covered here.  However Hibernian Interactive team members will do all they can to help, you should always contact us on interactive@hibs.org.uk providing as much information as possible about the nature of the problem. You can also use our on-line feedback form.  Please, don’t just mail us with ‘it does not work’; we really do need more to go on than that!  Tell us your Interactive user name, type of Internet connection (how fast it is), Computer processor speed, how much memory you have on the computer – any details at all that you think might help us to help you identify problems. Also it is of vital importance that your report problems early - don't leave it until a few minutes before a live match kicks off.

Q: I just want to listen to commentary, what do I need for that?

A: Our commentaries are broadcast again using Windows Media, but at a much lower bit-rate than the video requires.  As we currently broadcast as just 24kbs, this means our audio commentaries should be readily available to subscribers with just a 56k dial-up modem connection or greater.  You will of course still need to have Windows Media Player installed on your system, preferably the latest version available. Note also that our audio broadcasts are not just restricted to match days - currently we are on air live every Thursday from 7pm to 9pm with our 'Back Four' magazine show featuring chat and interviews.

Navigation

Q: Where on the site is the Archive and Current video footage?

A: If you navigate via ‘Interactive’ and ‘Video’ on the menu system of the web site, you will be taken to the video archive (you will require to put in your Interactive User Name and Password).  For the footage of the current season’s games, go to the ‘Fixtures’ page on the site, when available (usually from midnight Sunday for weekend games, midnight the following day for midweek) a link to the highlights of each game is placed alongside the match result.  Note again you will require your Interactive login details to access the video highlights. See below for direct links to our services.

Q: OK save me looking - can you provide me with some direct links?

A: Certainly - here you are:

Viewing/Listening

Live Video Viewing Page (for viewing Live and LiveUK services)
Archive Video Page (prior to the current season)
Current Video Highlights Page (click on 'interactive' beside each fixture)
Video highlights from 2005/06 season (Click 'Interactive' where available)
Video highlights from 2004/05 season (Click 'Yes' where available)
Radio Hibs (broadcasting ever game live)
Archive video footage of Classic Hibernian games

Information/Subscribing

Register with Hibernian Interactive Services
Information on Hibernian Interactive and sign up for Standard Subscriptiions
Link where existing subscribers can change their details
Link where existing subscribers can add or cancel subscriptions
Information on Live Video service outside UK and Ireland
Subscribe to a live game when you live outside of the UK and Ireland
Information on delayed full match coverage anywhere in the world (LiveUK)
Subscribe to LiveUK service from anywhere in the world

Remember for some of the links above to work you will need your current user name and password for the Hibernian Interactive services, and you will require to have a current subscription for the service you are trying to access. If when you click on the Live Video link you are taken back to the home page for the official Hibernian web site, it is likely because the service is at that point in time restricted to those living outwith the United Kingdom and Ireland as per the restrictions described above, and you are currently located within the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Useful downloads

Windows Media Player - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/
Real Media Player - http://uk.real.com/home/