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Uploading Video to YouTube

by Jagged
14 replies
I am having issues. We created "Our first" video and am attemptng to upload it to YouTube. It was create in powerpoint as a slideshow / audio / video presentation, then edited and formated in Camtasia 5 to a AVI format.
I attempted to upload to YouTube a couple of times today, but it's been taking over 2 hrs to load each attempt. I figure something must be wrong and stopped the uploads. The file is 413mb and is approx 3:32 minutes, also I have high speed internet connection.

My question is: Does it normally take this long, 2 hrs +, to upload a file of that size to YouTube? Whats my options?
#uploading #uploading video #video #youtube
  • Profile picture of the author lakshaybehl
    A 3 minute long video ... 400 Megs... thats insane.

    Reproduce the same video as WMV with dimensions 480*360, and the size would be something like 20 MB's...
    And it would take a few minutes to upload it then
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
    A 3 minute long video ... 400 Megs... thats insane.

    Reproduce the same video as WMV with dimensions 480*360, and the size would be something like 20 MB's...
    And it would take a few minutes to upload it then
    No it is not insane...

    In fact what you suggested to them will decrease the image quality of their video.

    I recommend NOT following that advice if you want to retain better video image quality when uploading to youtube. In fact windows media format is the worst compression for YT video quality.

    In answer to the question...

    The amount of time it will take to upload a large file like that will vary depending on the upload speed of your internet connection and whether you are also using the internet as the same time.

    You may have a fast connection but I guarantee your upload speed is a tiny fraction of your download speed. Most get 256kbps or less.

    So yes it is common to take hours on huge files if you have slow upload speed. Upload during off hours when you are not using the internet for other things as well. Make sure you are using a wired connection and not a wireless connection that could be even slower.

    Uploading a lossless avi file is one of the techniques for boosting YT video quality.

    However, that is a large file for the time length... it is likely due to your use of camtasia as the editor. That's another taboo that I would never recommend anyone to do....

    But now that you have the master file since screen capture on YT is degraded much of the time by using compression before upload you may be better focusing on making sure you are using the best internet connection as I mentioned above rather than compressing the file. One of the reasons compressing your file before upload make the video look so horrid is that YT will then compress it again with another codec so you get double compression. That combined with the fact that they reduce it to 320x240 and then force it to display at 480x360 causes your video to look blurry and crappy.
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    • Profile picture of the author lakshaybehl
      Josh!

      While I agree with what you are saying here, you need to remember ALL times that videos are viewed for the content and not the production quality. Its about the value of content, the info posted in the videos and not the glossy graphics.

      I have been uploading WMV files and I know they are a bit blurry, but most people do not mind that, because they are watching the video for the tips I am giving them and not expecting to watch a DVD quality movie. Although that would be nice, its not something thats absolutely necessary.

      You are talking about codecs etc., and that is something a lot of people do not understand. But that should not be a reason why they should not harness the awesome power that these videos have to transform your business into something totally new and profit-pulling powerful.

      I have been using Camtasia for a long time now and none of my customers have ever complained about the quality of the production. That's the FLV format though.

      Also, when you are posting problems associated with a solution, it would be better to provide a viable solution yourself. I don't think its a viable solution to get off and get a high UPLOAD speed Internet connection especially for videos for a person who isjust starting out with video marketing.

      Just my 2 cents.

      -Lakshay

      Originally Posted by Josh Anderson View Post

      No it is not insane...

      In fact what you suggested to them will decrease the image quality of their video.

      I recommend NOT following that advice if you want to retain better video image quality when uploading to youtube. In fact windows media format is the worst compression for YT video quality.

      In answer to the question...

      The amount of time it will take to upload a large file like that will vary depending on the upload speed of your internet connection and whether you are also using the internet as the same time.

      You may have a fast connection but I guarantee your upload speed is a tiny fraction of your download speed. Most get 256kbps or less.

      So yes it is common to take hours on huge files if you have slow upload speed. Upload during off hours when you are not using the internet for other things as well. Make sure you are using a wired connection and not a wireless connection that could be even slower.

      Uploading a lossless avi file is one of the techniques for boosting YT video quality.

      However, that is a large file for the time length... it is likely due to your use of camtasia as the editor. That's another taboo that I would never recommend anyone to do....

      But now that you have the master file since screen capture on YT is degraded much of the time by using compression before upload you may be better focusing on making sure you are using the best internet connection as I mentioned above rather than compressing the file. One of the reasons compressing your file before upload make the video look so horrid is that YT will then compress it again with another codec so you get double compression. That combined with the fact that they reduce it to 320x240 and then force it to display at 480x360 causes your video to look blurry and crappy.
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      • Profile picture of the author LonNaylor
        Originally Posted by lakshaybehl View Post

        Josh!

        While I agree with what you are saying here, you need to remember ALL times that videos are viewed for the content and not the production quality. Its about the value of content, the info posted in the videos and not the glossy graphics.

        I have been uploading WMV files and I know they are a bit blurry, but most people do not mind that, because they are watching the video for the tips I am giving them and not expecting to watch a DVD quality movie. Although that would be nice, its not something thats absolutely necessary.

        -Lakshay
        Going to agree with Josh on the core of this thread but also make an additional point about quality in general...

        Lakshay is correct in the quote above...for the time being.

        I would just point out that while currently video content is seen as something unique and special (even novel) and users certainly tend to overlook poor quality to get at the meat of the message, we should all be aware that these days are rapidly coming to a close!

        Why?

        Because as more and more content becomes available, viewers are provided with a new and critical element:

        Choice

        Given a choice between two videos of similar great content, which would you chose? The blurry, crappy-looking, lousy sounding one OR the one that provided you content of equal value but a "night-n-day difference" in your viewing experience?

        Viewers will choose...and they will vote with their credit cards...

        Higher quality appearance will, in the very near future, become the norm. Those that provide it will more and more be "perceived" as more authoritative, trustworthy, and desirable.

        Those that don't will suffer a lack of all these important aspects and through "guilt-by-association" be deemed "lower quality" themselves.

        I'm NOT saying you need to go all kinds of Hollywood here!

        I'm just suggesting that you don't set yourself up to become an "expert in mediocrity"...and start to learn the things will separate the men from the boys (and customers from their cash!).

        Now...if Josh would just get off his ass and launch OptimizeYourVideo already, we could all get on with it! Come on dude! LOL

        :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author Jagged
    Very good advise Josh, thank you. I had in fact already followed through with what was suggested earlier, and it did work!! It did indeed upload within 10 minutes, but the video did infact come out a little blurry. I will save your comment and use it for my next video. Like I said ealier, this was our first ever attempt at a video. I plan to do things MUCH differently next time.
    You stated that using Camtasia as an editor was a "taboo". Is it possible for you to elaburate on that a little? If not Camtastia, what software would you recommend? All I have heard is that camtasia 5 is the best out there, so we went with it, not knowing any better. We will be making more video's very soon and it would be good to know. Thanks for your reply.
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  • Profile picture of the author greendesert
    Hi Josh

    I am appalled by what you wrote. Have you ever listened to mp3 song encoded at 256 kbps ? or watched a movie encoded in xvid ? It's all about codec buddy.
    Suppose, one does manage to upload 400 meg video to Youtube and even Youtube processes it to 50 mb. How many people would want to watch it waiting for it to load. Remember, its streaming video not any video downloaded by any download manager.

    The inherent problem is with the codec. It needs to be redone and then uploaded. I have many videos which are under 25 meg and Youtube offers it
    to play at high quality.
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    The others already explained, your upload speed *could* be very small.

    But that is not the problem!

    412MB for a 3-4 min video is WAY, WAY too large. With the right "codec" a 2hr video is about 800MB....and your video is 412MB for not even 4 minutes.

    You need someone to help you with video compression/conversion, i am sorry, this is a very complex subject. You have to re-encode/compress your video with a codec like XVID using some video encoding software.

    However, you could just "sit it out" and just let it upload. It a one-time thing, so it shouldnt bother you?
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    • Profile picture of the author lakshaybehl
      Originally Posted by GeorgR. View Post

      The others already explained, your upload speed *could* be very small.

      But that is not the problem!

      412MB for a 3-4 min video is WAY, WAY too large. With the right "codec" a 2hr video is about 800MB....and your video is 412MB for not even 4 minutes.

      You need someone to help you with video compression/conversion, i am sorry, this is a very complex subject. You have to re-encode/compress your video with a codec like XVID using some video encoding software.

      However, you could just "sit it out" and just let it upload. It a one-time thing, so it shouldnt bother you?

      Oh he's already got it done... I just suggested something I do and it worked. (Thank GOD)

      -Lakshay
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
    Hi Josh

    I am appalled by what you wrote. Have you ever listened to mp3 song encoded at 256 kbps ? or watched a movie encoded in xvid ? It's all about codec buddy.
    Suppose, one does manage to upload 400 meg video to Youtube and even Youtube processes it to 50 mb. How many people would want to watch it waiting for it to load. Remember, its streaming video not any video downloaded by any download manager.

    The inherent problem is with the codec. It needs to be redone and then uploaded. I have many videos which are under 25 meg and Youtube offers it to play at high quality.
    Would you still be appalled if I showed you proof that I probably know more about optimizing video quality for youtube than anyone in this forum?

    Want Proof?

    What you should be "appalled" by is how the first Youtube video demo on that page is the clearest youtube video you have ever seen.

    And how the last video (text linked) toward the bottom of the page is a 640x480 screen capture video hosted on youtube with image quality rivaled by none.

    What will be "appalling" is the crappy quality blurry video he will get if he follows the advice of others in this thread :-)
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    • Profile picture of the author greendesert
      Originally Posted by Josh Anderson View Post

      Would you still be appalled if I showed you proof that I probably know more about optimizing video quality for youtube than anyone in this forum?

      Want Proof?

      What you should be "appalled" by is how the first Youtube video demo on that page is the clearest youtube video you have ever seen.

      And how the last video (text linked) toward the bottom of the page is a 640x480 screen capture video hosted on youtube with image quality rivaled by none.

      What will be "appalling" is the crappy quality blurry video he will get if he follows the advice of others in this thread :-)
      Your site is good and I believe you know more than anybody
      But, viewers would have that much patience ? is it practical ?
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