How/Where to Host Online Videos for Members?

you can try installing JWplayer on your site. It isn't free (well, commercial version at least) but it does let you play flash and a variety of other files.

There may be free wordpress plugins too but I've never looked since I'm pretty good at tricking out JWplayer

NEVER use Youtube for a paid product. Not only is it easy for people to then share your content it also makes your customers feel ripped off because your content (that they have just paid good money for) is not locked away and available to others.

For any type of video or downloads like this I would always recommend Amazon S3. It is going to be the most reliable and most efficient solution to host all those files and will take all the stress off your server. You could have thousands of people downloading or watching your files at the same time and Amazon S3 will never skip a beat - and it's dirt cheap as well.

If using Amazon S3 you should then use a Wordpress plugin like http://s3flowshield.com/ to help protect all those files so people can't share them around.

Just one thing to note. Most people these days, I have found, prefer to download the videos and watch them on their own computer than have to stream them on your website. Something worth thinking about. You may even consider giving them both options.

Please don't use YouTube! Bad, bad idea for a paid product.

Amazon S3 would probably be the best solution for you. It's cheap and it's easy. You will need a video player if you're going to have people play the videos directly on your site, but you could always have people download the videos to their own computer instead.

Thanks yall! I wouldn't use Youtube, I'm just saying that's about technically all I know how to do!

I do have an Amazon account so I'll definitely look into that. I never thought about downloading but that would be a great idea!

WillR, I appreciate that link to help protect the videos..that is one thing I wasn't too sure of.

Yall rock! Thanks for the advice. I am golden when it comes to physical products but this is a new arena and I'm happy for the suggestions!

I use BitsOnTheRun, they have a nice solution for all in one video hosting, security, player, etc