Your Video Expert Blog

Which Video Hosting Web Site to Use?

I replied to a post on one of the List Serv's I belong to and thought the topic was certainly worthy of sharing here.

A video producer colleague had a client (a college) who had started using an internet hosting website to share their videos on-line. He was helping them to use VIMEO, hearing that many other video producers were using that service. Here is my reply in the topic:

I do use VIMEO but primarily just so I am aware of it's functions and operation. VIMEO  free and VIMEO Plus are not for those who wish to use the service for a business or commercial enterprise - however they are allowing video producers to use the service to promote their business (not the business of their clients).

Any service - even VIMEO PRO - has a cap, and increased associated fees if you exceed their Storage (amount of data stored - size of video files, usually in GB) and their bandwidth (amount of data/video transferred to your viewers, usually in GB).

To get deeper into the question in your post -- which video hosting service your client uses depends, I believe, on what their primary goal/s are for hosting the video:

Do they wish to use the video/s to increase their marketing reach - improve their SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?

Do they wish to share the video/s to allow students to access academic content - as part of paid coursework ?

Do they want to make the video/s accessible for any community member / internet viewer?

Do they want/need the ability to utilize analytics to determine the viewer patterns relative to the video/s?

Do they need/want social sharing, commenting, etc. for the video/s?

And what is their budget for video hosting?

The answers to these questions will guide them to the best host (or as I usually recommend) a mix of host sites to best suit their needs.

On-line video is THE arena for many companies at this time, with great efforts geared to engaging their prospects and customers as well as increasing market awareness and market share. 

I use a variety of sites (and have used some just to get familiar with their operation) from YouTube, VIMEO, iPlayerHD, SproutVideo, SmugMug, Facebook, Exposure Room). 

For those who are member-subscribers of my website (www.YourVideoExpert.net) you will find the 79-minute streaming video (webinar recording) along with a print-able 15-page PDF booklet in the Members archives.

A Good Explanation of Three Methods for De-Interlacing Your Video From Videomaker

 You may know that traditional video and television was (is) transmitted and then for many years recorded (and edited) as an Interlace signal, that is two separate fields that make up one frame of video.  Many of the newer flat-screen monitors don't play interlace video well at all, and computer monitors don't do interlace well either - which means all those internet delivered videos don't look as good as they might when they're in the Interlace format.

That's why I continue to recommend de-interlaced (or decombed) video for these increasingly popular delivery and display methods. Here's a helpful short video on the Videomaker website that provides a definition of the problem and an explanation of the 3 most common methods to deal with the issue: How to Deinterlace Footage

Full Blown Analytics Comes to Your YouTube Channel

The pay for play video hosting services I (and many other colleagues) use like iPlayer HD and Vimeo PLUS have what is called 'analytics' - that keeps track and displays for you a variety of information as to how your video/s are being viewed by those who visit your channel or website.

Today, YouTube has announced a new level of Analytics - this is part of the growing number of tools that are free with a YouTube Channel.

 YouTube has had analytics for some time under the name 'Insight', but this new announcement (which YouTube Channel owners will see in their announts over the next few days, according to Google/YouTube) adds some new functions and abilities.

Here are the new options available:

    • A Quick Overview: A new overview provides all of the information that you care about quickly, while also enabling you to easily access more detailed information.

    • More Detailed Reports: Analytics now includes more detailed statistics so that you can have a more precise understanding of your content and audiences.

    • Audience Builders: Discover which videos are driving the most views and subscriptions.

    • Audience Retention: See how far viewers are watching through your video in the new audience retention report.

For the full-blown details of the new YouTube Analytics - visit the YouTube page here: YouTube Analytics Home Page.

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Visit my website for a thorough tutorial on creating your own animated short video on your YouTube Channel using GoAnimate: Video Tutorial: Create Your Own Animated Shorts

iPhone Cinema on Vimeo

If you've read some of my previous posts - you know that the new(er) iPhone 4S from Apple has taken root in the independent film and video community.  There are a number of producers who have created short projects using the new, HD video capabilities of the iPhone 4s.  There is a channel on Vimeo (the video sharing website) dedicated to films/videos shot with the iPhone.To check out the videos you can visit the page here: Vimeo iPhone HD Cimema 

Here is the introduction:

The very best HD films from the new iPhone are featured here, already over 150k views, please post a shout if you would like your film to be added here, thanks for watching the new revolution in film making!

Verifying Your YouTube Channel to Upload Longer Videos

One of the quick mentions I made in the webinar last week - Introduction to Video Sharing Websites - may be a little nugget for those who have not heard of this before. 

YouTube now allows longer videos to be uploaded and shared on your YouTube Channel. In fact, the 15-minute length that is the default
length for all new YouTube Channels, can be increased pretty easily.  Once your YouTube Channel has been 'verifyed' you can load videos up to 12 hours in length (but please, spare us from that long of a video!)

Anyone with a YouTube Channel, even a newer Channel, can 'upgrade' to allow longer videos as long as your YouTube account is in good standing and has no Content ID blocks on any content. Basically this means you are not or have not posted any content deemed inappropriate according to the 'Community Guidelines' and that you are in good standing relative to the YouTube copyright policies (you're not using commercial, popular music in your videos).  

If that fits you, then you simply need to verify your YouTube account using a mobile phone.Do this by clicking onto the 'Upload videos' page on your YouTube channel and click the link you should see below

You enter your telephone number when prompted and then type in a code provided to your mobile phone.  Done... it's really that simple, and then your Upload Page will have a prompt indicating you can now upload longer videos.

Intro to Video Sharing Websites Webinar Recording Available

The streaming video recording from the most recent Video Expert Webinar is in the archives!  This past Wednesday I presented a session Introduction to Video Sharing Websites'.  I provided suggestions why using a video sharing website can be valuable and then shared some of the fundamentals of export optimization - with info on recommended settings like bit-rate, codecs, etc.

I highlighted the video sharing websites that are my favorite providers - both free and paid services, and the strengths and weaknesses of each.  I presented details about how you can easily share an on-line video by obtaining the video's URL and also introduced the concept of embedding a video. 

And I closed out the session by showing both a Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) short video on each of these highlighted websites. 

The 79-minute streaming video is now available in the Video Expert Webinar Archives here, along with a 15-page PDF booklet that you can download and print. This booklet amplifies some of the content from the session, and provides website addresses for all that was presented.

If you're not yet a member at YourVideoExpert.net, you can choose from the Gold, Silver or even the free Trial Membership.  This is done via the pull-down link in the upper right corner of the Home page.

Vimeo Videos Not Showing up in Your Web Browser?

I have a colleague who was having difficulty viewing videos in his web browser on his computer - this was a recent change, as he had been previously successful in viewing videos from the video sharing web site.
 

Right away, I had the sneaking suspicion that a corrupt or outdated Flash program was the culprit.  As you may know, Adobe Flash is a plug-in that enables your web browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Mac Safari, and Google Chrome are among the most popular of these computer applications) to view videos and other multi-media content on the web.

And I recall recently updating the Flash players in all my computers (both Mac and Windows OS). I recommended my colleague visit this page on the Vimeo web site - http://vimeo.com/help/flash

It's pretty cool as it shows you what version of Flash you're using right now to view that page and recommends which version you _should_ be using.  video sharing services). 

If you determine you would like/need a later version of Adobe Flash - visit this Adobe page and it will walk you through the upgrade: Adobe Flash Player Download page 

If you're thinking --- 'Gee Chet, this is supposed to be a blog about video, how come all this computer stuff?'  I would answer that on-line delivered video is a huge part of video today!

And if you'd like to learn more about that topic (on-line video) check out my Webinar this Wednesday, Introduction To Video Sharing Web Sites.

 

Video Expert Webinar - Video Hosting Web Sites

Did you know that...

• The average computer user watches almost 16 hours of on-line video a month.
• Over 5 hours per person per month is spent watching YouTube, alone.
• YouTube videos are watched over 3 Billion times each day.

Using a video hosting website can be the easiest, most affordable way to share you videos - and if you're looking for a lot of view - it's likely the best way to reach your maximum audience.

In this on-line class, Chet Davis will teach you the important background information and useful, short steps to begin sharing your videos with others over the internet!

Agenda: Internet Hosting Websites - Getting Started

• Why you should use the internet to share your videos
• How to prepare (optimize) your video for successful uploading
• Fastest way to load video (and many videos) from your computer
  
• Loading video to your internet host remotely (while on vacation)
  
• Easiest ways to share your on-line video/s with others (links vs. embeds)
  
• The benefits & limitations of Chet's six favorite video hosting websites
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Vimeo
  • SmugMug
  • Exposure Room
  • iPlayer HD
  • 
    

This on-line classroom will take place on Wednesday, October 26th from 9:30AM Pacific Time (click here for other time zones).  Cost is only $10 to participate!

If you're already a members of YourVideoExpert.net or CasablancaExpert.com - your registration is free - click either of these links for registration info.

If you're not a website member - I would love to have you join us for some valuable learning - click the link below for on-line registration (and classroom details)