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HOW TO BEST HANDLE VIDEOS

by allenjohn
3 replies
Hi,

We are busy creating 'how to' videos for a new launch. Would be very interested in Warrior's thoughts on the best way to handle what are ultimately quite large files i.e. 8 minutes in length. Is is best to host them and send people to the link? Where's best to host? What about bandwidth issues? Do sites slow down if there is a lot of traffic? Alternatively, is it best to send them the file? If so, what's the best format and the best way to zip them?

So many questions, your help, as always, will be gratefully received.

Thanks, Allen
#handle #video #videos
  • Profile picture of the author Miguel Oliveira
    Is is best to host them and send people to the link?
    The best is to host them and then provide two ways for people to have access to the content: download them or watch them on the website.

    Where's best to host?
    Host them in your hosting account. If it is a paid product, the last place you want to host them is YouTube and other similar websites

    What about bandwidth issues? Do sites slow down if there is a lot of traffic?
    Yes, sites slow down. But unless you have MASSIVE traffic, it won't slow down that much (depending on your hosting service).

    Alternatively, is it best to send them the file?
    People like instant gratification, so I'd say that providing them a way to download the video or watch it immediately is what works best.

    If so, what's the best format and the best way to zip them?
    That depends. Probably you want to provide several formats, avi and mp4 being the most important (for computer and iPod). Plus, you don't want to make the files too large - 8 minutes is actually quite manageable and can be only 10 megs, depending on the quality.

    Hope this helps.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kate Davies
      I agree with Miguel, that it is better to host them yourself and that bandwidth need not be an issue.

      However, it will depend how you encode them for streaming. Flash is good, because it gives good quality results and is already on most peoples' computers (>98%).

      You should encode on the basis that most people don't really have fantastic bandwidth, especially if they are viewing in an environment where several people are sharing a connection (as often happens at home when adults are trying to do a bit of work and the kids are on MSN / Bebo etc). But you'll know your target audience.

      Once you step down on the bandwidth, you have to cut down on frame size and or quality and frame rate too; so that you're not trying to squeeze too much data down the pipe. Most videos look good online at 320x240 frame size (or similar), but, if you needed to go full screen at top quality, then streaming probably wouldn't work for you because there would probably be too much data to send.

      To experiment with settings for streaming ... it may be a good idea to decide on your maximum bitrate and your minimum fame size, then play about with your other settings to see which set gives you the best quality output that is deliverable to your target population.

      Keep text, in any frames, large and clear. Text can be difficult to read when a video file has been compressed (both in physical window size and file size).

      If you can't get the right size / quality to suit your target audience by streaming, then make it available as a download instead. But I presume you'll want to protect you material, which is another issue to consider.
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  • Profile picture of the author allenjohn
    Hi - Any thoughts on hosting them at Screencast? Looks like an option...or not? Please let me know. Thanks, Allen
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