If anyone out there is currently one of those people who can not view the videos on their pages, let me know (you can email me at chriscoyier@gmail.com)
Alright I just thought I'd post some of my testing results here to keep anybody in the loop who wants to be.
The way how I have been post the videos to watch on the web is by embedding a Quicktime format movie (.MOV). This worked online for most people, but it required Quicktime to be installed on users computers so some folks were having trouble watching them. Ultimately, I need to make a Quicktime version of the screencast because it is a podcast and needs to go out to iTunes. I also shoot in Quicktime originally, so it's convenient.
Still, I want to accommodate as many people as I can, so it seems like Flash video is the way to go for online viewing. I was told that if video was encoded in H.264 format, the latest version of Flash will play the movie. So I thought I'd try a bunch of different things and just see what would work best.
Here is what I got so far:
Quicktime Player - .MOV file This is what I have been using since day 1. Advantages: Viewable on web for most people, good quality, acceptable file size, easy workflow for me Disadvantage: Some people have problems viewing on web, not AppleTV compatible.
Quicktime Player - .M4V file Advantages: Works for podcast/iTunes, AppleTV compatible, would only have to create a single file. Disadvantages: FAIL - Cannot view on the web with this combo.
Quicktime Player - .MP4 file Advantages: H.264 format Disadvantages: FAIL - Cannot view on the web with this combo.
Quicktime Player - .FLV file Advantages: None Disadvantages: This would be just dumb.
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Flash Player - .MOV file Advantages: Same easy workflow, only need to create one version Disadvantages: FAIL - You can hear audio on the web but no video.
Flash Player - .M4V file Advantages: Works for podcast/iTunes, AppleTV compatible, would only need to create a single file, acceptable file size, acceptable quality Disadvantages: FAIL: Seemed to work OK on my computer, but testing on a PC (even with Quicktime installed), didn't seem to want to display video.
Flash Player - .MP4 file Advantages: H.264 Disadvantages: FAIL: Seemed to work OK on my computer, but testing on a PC (even with Quicktime installed), didn't seem to want to display video.
Flash Player - .FLV file Advantages: Highest possible compatibility with all viewers for watching on the web. Disadvantages: Need to create two separate versions, lower quality, higher file size
CONCLUSION:
I am thinking the best way to do this is to make the Flash version for the web and make a seperate version (probably .M4V) for the podcast and direct download. The lower quality for online viewing kinda sucks, and the workflow is a bit more complicated, but I think it will accommodate more people.
If anyone out there is currently one of those people who can not view the videos on their pages, let me know (you can email me at chriscoyier@gmail.com)
For example, this one:
http://css-tricks.com/videos/css-tricks-video-1.php
I've been trying to test a flash player instead, and I'd like to see if my latest idea will work for you.
-Chris
The way how I have been post the videos to watch on the web is by embedding a Quicktime format movie (.MOV). This worked online for most people, but it required Quicktime to be installed on users computers so some folks were having trouble watching them. Ultimately, I need to make a Quicktime version of the screencast because it is a podcast and needs to go out to iTunes. I also shoot in Quicktime originally, so it's convenient.
Still, I want to accommodate as many people as I can, so it seems like Flash video is the way to go for online viewing. I was told that if video was encoded in H.264 format, the latest version of Flash will play the movie. So I thought I'd try a bunch of different things and just see what would work best.
Here is what I got so far:
Quicktime Player - .MOV file
This is what I have been using since day 1.
Advantages: Viewable on web for most people, good quality, acceptable file size, easy workflow for me
Disadvantage: Some people have problems viewing on web, not AppleTV compatible.
Quicktime Player - .M4V file
Advantages: Works for podcast/iTunes, AppleTV compatible, would only have to create a single file.
Disadvantages: FAIL - Cannot view on the web with this combo.
Quicktime Player - .MP4 file
Advantages: H.264 format
Disadvantages: FAIL - Cannot view on the web with this combo.
Quicktime Player - .FLV file
Advantages: None
Disadvantages: This would be just dumb.
-----
Flash Player - .MOV file
Advantages: Same easy workflow, only need to create one version
Disadvantages: FAIL - You can hear audio on the web but no video.
Flash Player - .M4V file
Advantages: Works for podcast/iTunes, AppleTV compatible, would only need to create a single file, acceptable file size, acceptable quality
Disadvantages: FAIL: Seemed to work OK on my computer, but testing on a PC (even with Quicktime installed), didn't seem to want to display video.
Flash Player - .MP4 file
Advantages: H.264
Disadvantages: FAIL: Seemed to work OK on my computer, but testing on a PC (even with Quicktime installed), didn't seem to want to display video.
Flash Player - .FLV file
Advantages: Highest possible compatibility with all viewers for watching on the web.
Disadvantages: Need to create two separate versions, lower quality, higher file size
CONCLUSION:
I am thinking the best way to do this is to make the Flash version for the web and make a seperate version (probably .M4V) for the podcast and direct download. The lower quality for online viewing kinda sucks, and the workflow is a bit more complicated, but I think it will accommodate more people.
If anyone has any ideas or opinions, let me know.