A 5-10 min comedy scetch will work fine but a full length movie won't play video on the media player. only audio with the wave patterns on screen. why could this be? Dave

You might need codecs for your player. Check the link below for links to codecs & also to VLC player (free), which has codecs installed & plays most things.
Codecs & VLC

Always remember to check a video file before download with Bitzi & preview the file after about 10% download...just to make sure that it's ok
How to use Bitzi Web Lookup

I've always wanted to see Australia, anywhere to offroad motorcycle around there?
It sounds like the player isn't configured in some way so I will try your links and figure it out, I hope!
I have a lot to learn about file sharing as well because I want to do it correctly.
by using it I see how much I need to learn and all of the questions can't, or shouldn't be asked here. I can save everyone time if I know where to find the literature I need.
even some of the basic terminology eludes me so I just have to look into it I guess.

Again thank you for your help and enjoy your weather. someone gave me 2 pairs of long underwear for Christmas. D