Optimizing Video for Viewing on Web (in Blog)

by rbowen

Posted: 14 years ago 17 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

I'm trying to put a video on my blog for the first time, and I'm finding it a little trickier than I thought.

I shot a video with a newish Sony Cybershot (full HD/1080 movie) that runs about 3 minutes & 45 seconds long ... MP4 format ... 82mb in size (which seems large, from what little I can tell - my Host Gator account only allows me 64MB).

I finally got the video onto my blog, but unfortunately it takes 3 or 4 minutes to load when you open the page ... although when it plays, it looks and sounds great! But who is going to stick around to watch it when it takes so long to load, right?!

Someone I spoke to briefly recommended that I "optimize it for web viewing". I can't get in touch with him again, so I have to ask you guys:

1) What, exactly, does "optimizing it for web viewing" mean ... shortening the video; converting the format to, say, MPEG; or, what?

2) Is that something everyone has to do with their "raw" video, or is it something I have to do because of the kind of video my Sony takes?

3) Can anyone recommend a program(s) I can use to optimize the video for web viewing (whatever that entails)?

4) That same guy recommended AVS Editor, but A.) it's a little pricey for my challenged budget (ie, I'm broke!), and B.) from their sales page, I can't tell if it will optimize my video for web viewing (whatever that involves). Will all (or most) video editors "optimize for web viewing", and, in any event, can anyone offer any good (preferably no-cost) suggestions?

Thanks,
Richard

PS I know I can upload the video to YouTube or Vimeo and use their embedded code, but for various reasons (I won't bother you with here/now), I can't/don't want to go that way.

#blog #optimizing #video #viewing #web

tishwash 14 years ago

Do you have a video hosting service?
I think that would help you and many of them have 30 day free offers
and really low cost plans.
byoaudio has a video hosting service, vidhosting is one, and a lot of
people seem to be using easyvideoplayer right now too.
I am not affiliate with any of those programs just so you know.
I use Camtasia but it is expensive.
Also did you try using Windows Movie Maker they have an option
that optimizes for web viewing.
I hope you get your issue solved video is so much better for marketing.
- [ 1 ] Thanks
Signature

~Tish Washington~
Want people paying you $100? It's so Simple
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3309477].message }}
BudgetSEO 14 years ago

You may want to buy another host optimized for video viewing & embed that video into your blog (assuming your blog is about videos).
Uploading the video into your HG account will surely make the page having the video load super slow (because HG isn't a good video server to be frank)
Also some nasty kid could multileech the video costing precious bandwidth (Even if your account has unlimited bandwidth HG's terms say they could suspend the site for excess server usage)
Here is an article that could appeal your taste buds (not my site) - Streaming Video Hosting Costs
Thank You,
-S
- [ 1 ] Thanks
Signature

Let me Secure your wordpress website for the price of a small Pizza
Weather Balloons Election Supplies
If you need the ''cheapest'' quote, don't waste your time contacting me.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3309479].message }}

Yadira Barbosa

14 years ago

For long and heavy videos use Amazon S3, at this way your hosting it's free for the heavy part and you stream its great.

[ 1 ] Thanks
2 replies

Signature

FREE Amazing Sales Funnel Software

List Building Made Easy

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3309484].message }}

rbowen 14 years ago

Thanks, folks .. but let me ask:

1) If I were to host my video on Amazon S3, ScreenCast, or ... (any other suggestions?), would that in & of itself optimize my video for web viewing ... or would I still have to do that by some other means (question #2)?

2) If video hosting doesn't necessarily optimize my video for web viewing,

2A) would I use something like Windows Movie maker to optimize it ..
and could someone recommend some other choices?

and

2B) would I use a WP plug-in, like FV WP Flow Player on my WP blog to
get the video playing on my blog .. or any other plug-in anyone cares
to recommend?

Thanks!

Richard
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3309607].message }}
- navyseal 14 years ago
  
  Downside about video optimizing the quality is kinda bit blury. But it's ok!
  
  But there are tools like windows movie maker you can optimize such as you go to for an options high quality video small.
  
  I try also avs video converter for free. I just search on youtube along w/ free serial.
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  Signature
  
  ***Try Navy SEALs Workout Training***
  **Experience the Powerblock Products**
  *Get our Special Coupon Code*
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3309639].message }}

warriortx

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Yadira Barbosa

For long and heavy videos use Amazon S3, at this way your hosting it's free for the heavy part and you stream its great.

I agree totally I use them all the time with youtube.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

-------->Learn to make money with Sales funnels<--------
Make $5000 a month Free today only!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3309629].message }}

Lloyd Buchinski

14 years ago

There is a neat free video player and downloader at realplayer.com Any utube (and some other sites) video that you play, on hover near the upper right corner of the video, a tab will pop up with RealPlayer asking if you would like to download this video.

You can also do video work and editing with it. I haven't yet, but quite sure I remember reading that it can change file types, and flv was mentioned.

Originally Posted by warriortx

Originally Posted by Yadira Barbosa

For long and heavy videos use Amazon S3, at this way your hosting it's free for the heavy part and you stream its great.

I agree totally I use them all the time with youtube.

You use Amazon s3 with utube? How do you do that?

Thanks

Signature

Do something spectacular; be fulfilled. Then you can be your own hero. Prem Rawat

The KimW WSO

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3317239].message }}

BudgetSEO 14 years ago

@rbowen
If you're concerned about video quality its something to do with the format, HD format is the best but not to forget it eats a lot of space but beats mp4 format (there isnt any competition between a bicycle and a Harley, is there?)
- [ 1 ] Thanks
Signature

Let me Secure your wordpress website for the price of a small Pizza
Weather Balloons Election Supplies
If you need the ''cheapest'' quote, don't waste your time contacting me.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3309693].message }}
AnthonyKrese 14 years ago

I do all video...so I've been through this.

No, Amazon isn't going to convert or "optimize" your videos for the web.

I go with .flv, which is a flash file. I have a paid application (Adobe Media Encoder) that converts my video files to .flv (flash). You can do a Google search, I'm sure there are some applications that will do that...for free. If you really can't find any applications to convert your file to .flv, you could always upload the file to a place like Youtube (or Blip.tv)...it will convert your file to .flv and then you can download the file back to your harddrive.

Yes, you'll need a plugin for Wordpress. Here's a good plug-in for Flow Player:

WordPress › wordTube FlowPlayer « WordPress Plugins
- [ 1 ] Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature

What's for dinner tonight? Fast, easy, awesome recipes to keep the wife and kids happy!

The Man's Cookbook
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3310066].message }}
- Aj Wilson 14 years ago
  
  Simple.
  
  Upload your video to youtube.
  
  When it's ready ...
  
  Download the MP4. and it'll be all optimized for you.
  
  Throw your video anywhere you like (S3, your own site) etc...
  
  - - -
  
  If you want quality video hosting/streaming without all the branding
  and to maximize your control options while keeping ease of use ...
  
  checkout www.vimeo.com/plus
  
  or www.easyvideoplayer.com (fellow warrior)
  
  hope that helps,
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  Signature
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3310253].message }}
  
  rbowen 14 years ago
  
  Thanks, Everybody!
  
  So maybe I'll try uploading the video to YouTube & then downloading it to my hard drive.
  
  1) After I've downloaded it from YouTube, will I be able to remove it from YouTube (for different reasons, I don't want it playing on YouTube)?
  
  2) After I've removed it from YouTube, will my YouTube optimized video still be usable on my blog?
  
  3) And will it have a YouTube logo or link on it, which I don't want (when I put it on my blog)?
  
  Thanks again,
  Richard
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3312036].message }}
Josh Anderson 14 years ago

Optimizing a video for viewing on the web means encoding it at a bit rate that is low enough to stream without stuttering (continual buffering and pausing).

The strategy of video optimization is simple... you encode your video for the fastest load time.

Encode your video using one of the two best codecs for compression and image quality:

1. FLV - Vp6 codec
2. Mp4 - h.264 codec

You encode your video at a bit rate that is slightly lower than the average speed of the internet connection used by your average website visitor.

For companies targeting the US your rule of thumb should be to get as close to 250kbps as possible and never over 500kbps for direct response videos. The kbps total is a combination of the video stream and the audio stream.

Audio streams rarely should be encoded at higher than 32kbps and never higher than 64kbps for direct response or instructional video.

My own rule of thumb is that the video stream should not exceed 220kbps and the audio 32kbps. This ensures that my video is under the 256kbps average speed of slow rural broadband connections in the US.

The size of the video literally does not matter for delivery optimization purposes.

I can stream a 1 gig video instantly without stuttering with as little as 1 second of load time if I optimize the bit rate correctly.

Finally you need to choose a video player that supports all the most current video standards including flash supporting flv and mp4 as well as offering html5 fallback. We offer a solution for this currently to the market.

The most important aspect though for fast video delivery besides your bit rate will be that the player you choose must offer you full control over the amount of buffer time. I prefer to use 1-3 seconds max for buffering.

Hosting is important but it is not as important and has a much less noticeable impact on optimization than does the other principles I have just explained. However, if you want truly optimized hosting you must host on a CDN and not just any CDN (content delivery network) you need to host on one that has lots of global locations.

Amazon s3 is NOT a cdn but it is a decent option for hosting if you want fully unlimited bandwidth. If you are only getting light traffic, maybe in the range of tens of thousands of video views a month, then you can also consider going with economy hosting solutions.

If you want to see how Amazon s3 and various CDNs stack up against eachother here is a site that shows you live data: Cloud Hosting and Cloud Storage Performance Dashboard

Given the level of your questions it is unlikely that you need a CDN and you will likely be fine on Amazon s3 or using economy hosting solutions until your traffic increases to much higher volumes.

Optimizing your bit rate using the correct codecs for compression does also lower your video file size.

There are many other strategies for video optimization including production, encoding, and response. If you want to learn them all then you should check out our latest membership which is the only comprehensive source on the subject.
- [ 2 ] Thanks
Signature
Nanacast Review
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3312125].message }}
AnthonyKrese 14 years ago

Yes, you can delete the video. Even easier, you can set the video to 'unlisted' and it won't show up in YouTube searches nor on your channel.

Yes, your video will be in .flv format and ready for Flow player (or whatever player and plugin you want to use).

No, there won't be a logo on it.

Mind you, this is the 'long and hard' way. I really recommend looking around for a free converter.
- [ 1 ] Thanks
Signature

What's for dinner tonight? Fast, easy, awesome recipes to keep the wife and kids happy!

The Man's Cookbook
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3312241].message }}
moneymakerz 14 years ago

one easy option is to upload on you tube and then embed in your blog. It will save you a lot of bandwidth

The only drawback is the ads that appear in the video

For self hosting many gurus i have seen using jwv player
- [ 1 ] Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3312256].message }}
- rbowen 14 years ago
  
  OK. Well, I took what seemed like the easiest approach - for an old, non-technical newbie like me - and uploaded the video to YouTube.
  
  But once I got it up there, I didn't know how to get it downloaded. So I found a few (YouTube) videos that suggested using the 1-Click YouTube Downloader FireFox Plug-in. So I DL'ed the FF plug-in, installed it, and ... it wouldn't DL the video.
  
  No clue why it didn't work. Anybody have any ideas why it didn't, or how best to get it DL'ed (by some other means)?
  
  BTW, the original MP4 file was 82mb, and I assume it would have become smaller (or at least no larger), after YouTube worked its optimizing-for-web-viewing magic on it, right?
  
  Thanks,
  Richard
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3313207].message }}
ScriptDesigner 14 years ago

youtube is best due to speedy streaming.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3313256].message }}
AnthonyKrese 14 years ago

Install a firefox plugin (addon) called Video DownloadHelper

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fir...ownloadhelper/

Go to the video you want download. Press play. You'll notice a 3 twirling balls next to the url at the top of the browser. Click the arrow next to the balls. You'll get a drop down menu. Select the .flv you want to download.

Yes, YouTube "optimizes" the videos when you upload them. You'll notice after you upload a video, the quality reduces. It's because they "crunched" the file. They want to save space.
- Thanks
Signature

What's for dinner tonight? Fast, easy, awesome recipes to keep the wife and kids happy!

The Man's Cookbook
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3314999].message }}

Optimizing Video for Viewing on Web (in Blog)

Trending Topics

New high school wanting to quit

Business Process Improvement Consultancy

I've just join this forum

How to add HSTS security to my website

Hi all just introducing myself