Adding video to web sites & multimedia by Dane Ramshaw & Matt Ottewill (Nove 2012)

When optimising video you must consider 5 primary factors ...

1. What media playing software your end-user has installed
2. What speed & format optical drive your end-user has
3. What speed of internet connection your end-user has
4. What codecs do the various media playing software packages contain
5. Which codecs offer the best quality / file size relationship for your needs

A word about terminology

The terms ... Optimising, encoding and compressing ... all mean reducing video files sizes and data rates (by way of a codec) to accelerate transmission over a network, and reduce storage requirements.

The terms ... Decoding, decompressing, uncompressing ... all mean opening a compressed file (again by way of a codec) in order to replay it.

Choose a program to optimise your video

Such as ...

 

Our advice (Nove 2012) for publishing fully compatible x-platform video

You will need to compress your video and audio using codecs that your end-user system has installed or you will need to persuade them to install the required codecs to watch your video. But remember, end-users at college, school or work may not have access privileges to allow them to download and install new player/plug-in versions.

Our top recommendations ...

1. YouTube or Vimeo
2. Flash video for desktops only
3. QuickTime & WMV, for 100% end-user compatibility

A word about HTML 5 video

Hands up those who thought this would provide an easy way to ensure cross platform compatibility? Yes, us too and boy, were we wrong! Avoid until the fighting stops! Discussed here

1. YouTube or Vimeo

The simplest way ..

• Create a YouTube or Vimeo account / channel
• Upload / encode your video - many video editing applications can export directly from the timeline. If you can, don't re-compress your video when exporting your edit before upload.
• Link from your website or embed in your website (copy the html or URL that YouTube and Vimeo provide)

 

Pros: Easiest option for almost 100% compatibility with computers and mobile devices
Cons: You have less control over quality and are stuck with the YouTube branding and player skin.

If you have problems with getting your video to look OK, try the settings in this chart ..

2. Encoding video in the Flash video format

You can encode and publish Flash video using the MPeg4/h364 or On2 VP6 video codec, and MP3 audio codec. Advice on suitable settings is given below.

There are 2 primary ways for adding Flash video to your site ...

1. Encode your "raw" video (DV?) into the Flash video format and link it to or embed it in a Flash movie, in which you can create a bespoke skin, and playback controls with ActionScript.
2. Import you "raw" finished video edit (DV?) into Flash Video Encoder, optimise it (suggested settings are below), then "insert" the exported file into a web page and chose a skin and some playback parameters for it. Advice is here.

Flash codecs

The Flash plug-in/players can replay 3 formats (codecs) of video file ...

• Sorenson Spark (Flash player versions 7-9)
• One2 VP6 (Flash player versions 7-9)
• h364 (Flash player version 9 with update 3 applied)

Although h364 is the superior codec, the latest Flash player version is required, and not as many end-users will have it as versions capable of replaying Sorenson Spark (as of May 2008).

Encoding Flash video

You can use a number of encoders to create video ready to import into Flash ...

• Adobe Flash video encoder (bundled with Flash Professional)
• QuickTime Pro
• Squeeze for Flash (by Sorenson)
• On2 Flix

The following table shows our recommended settings.



 

3. Encoding video in the WMV (Windows Media Video) and QuickTime formats for almost 100% compatibility

All Macs have QuickTime and all PCs have Windows Media player, therefore if you provide versions in both formats you will reach the widest audience ...

For the Mac

If you think your end-users will have QuickTime 7 or greater, we think that you should create QuickTime video files (.mov) encoded with the MPG4/ h364 codec. Use the IMA, Qualcomm PureVoice or QDesign Music 2 codecs for the audio soundtrack. QuickTime has all these codecs. Detailed suggested settings are elsewhere on this page.

For Windows

Compress video in a Windows Media Player friendly format. Last time we looked, Microsoft wasn't very open about what codecs it contains, so you'll either need to visit their support site for advice, and/or use their encoder to encode files.

WMV (Windows Media Video) format

There are various tools available to create WMV files. Search the web and go here for Microsofts tools/help.

QuickTime

Here are some suggested settings that have worked for us ...

Others

Optimising video in the DivX format

Download the software from divx.com , open the encoder app, select a settings template and drag your source video file onto the app. Easy! You can also fine tune the settings withy the advanced feature. Choose the Home Theatre settings and then try applying our MPEG-4 settings.