Posting video clip on a webpage

[ricgam]

I have a site where I make DVDs of class reunions. I use a digital camcorder. I want to put a preview clip on my website, but I want to know which format and settings should I use (mpeg, avi, realplayer, etc.) to get the same quality and smooth motion as the digital footage. Any suggestions?

http://www.albanyreunions.com

[pacmania_2001]

I would use divx as it allows smaller file sizes whilst retaining a good amount of the original quality.

The one proviso is that you would have to tell the user downloading the clip that they need the divx codec (perhaps provide a download link).

[tgpo]

I think that Apple's MPEG-4 looks great, even highly compressed. Quicktime 6 can play it standard. Info can be found here.

[pacmania_2001]

Perhaps provide two versions, one for a MAC and one for a PC.

I say that because even though Quicktime does allow good compression/quality ratio it doesn't come standard on PC's (which most likely make up 80% + of your users) like Windows Media Player does. Therefore the person has to download Quicktime (not sure of the filesize exactly) but it is bigger than the divx codec download so dial up users may be reluctant.

[Will Hay]

good topic (I was planning one similar)...
...and if you did decide on the right format, what would be the link?
Would it simply be http://www.yourdomain.com/foldername/filename.mov

I would prefer the user to download the clip and then play it.
Thanks,
Will

[pacmania_2001]

If that was the link and the user clicked on it then the video would download into a temporary folder and then play. Whilst if they right clicked on the file and then chose 'Save Target As' they would have the option as to which folder to save it in.

Both will have pretty much the same effect on your bandwidth, although if they were to right click and save it they would probably be more likely to replay it from that file where as if they just clicked on the link then they would more than likely come back to your site (and take more bandwidth) to watch it again.

Just put some small text under the link saying "To download, right click and select 'Save Target As'.

[Gees]

Flash is another option. I read statistics recently that said it is installed on greater percentage of computers than any other "helper" app.

[Will Hay]

Just put some small text under the link saying "To download, right click and select 'Save Target As'.

Easier said than done, eh Gees?
Damn those dreamweaver frames, where are they in FP
Thanks pacmania
Will

[Gees]

Easier said than done, eh Gees?

:cD Yep!

dreamweaver frames

layers, Will... LAYERS :cD

[Will Hay]

dreamweaver frames

layers, Will... LAYERS :cD

Man, I'll never get it
W

[Gees]

awww yes you WILL! :cD

maybe without the distraction of those annoying work interruptions. :cD

[ChrisX]

good topic (I was planning one similar)...
...and if you did decide on the right format, what would be the link?
Would it simply be http://www.yourdomain.com/foldername/filename.mov

I would prefer the user to download the clip and then play it.
Thanks,
Will

Me too, I would prefer to download it as a file and then play it. This is an example of a site: http://www.gobritney.com/ and they use mpeg.

I think the mpeg video files is too big and I would prefer to download an .avi file as DivX.