Loading to website

[Viddynick]

Hello everyone - have been quiet for a few weeks but now need advice and guidance on how to go about preparing a .vsp file for loading to a website. Basically, I have created a small film of around 7mins (in Corel ProX3) which I am to send on to a chap living abroad who will then load it to an art society website. We don't want to use YouTube to do this. So far I have created the video file which is now in .mpg file format but realise this is not correct for "sending" to the chap abroad. It has turned out quite a large file - I'm told it needs to be smaller in size etc. Can someone kindly give me a step by step procedure to enable me to do this. I hadn't expected to be called upon to carry out this task and I have no idea what to do! Any help appreciated. Thanks.

[Ron P.]

I would suggest creating a video file, using MPEG-4, FLV, or WMV, they produce about the smallest file sizes. If the recipient is going to just upload it to a website, that should work. If he is to do any editing, the video will suffer a hit on quality. You might check with him and find out what format works best for the website he is going to use. For instance YouTube uses WMV, FLV and MP4 well.

[Viddynick]

Ron, thanks for your quick response and helpful advice. I have now created to FLV and sent it - the file size was thankfully a lot smaller. I played it back in VLC and the film appeared a little "watery" in places but guess could get away with it! What a learning curve this is. I originally only intended to make for home use - following all the automated routes and it had worked well - once I get involved with the "outside" it becomes a nightmare journey ...................well for my wife anyway who sorts all this side of the thing..................BUT we are enjoying it! - we think. Thanks again - unfortunately for you I will be back if the FLV fails at the other end! Cheers, Viddynick.

[Viddynick]

Well said I would be back! Created file in FLV and played it back through VLC media player - all was perfect! Send to chap at other end who was pleased it was in this format and he uploaded to the website for trial run. Film and sound are fine but are totally out of sync! The film seems to be running in slow time - the sound is normal but obviously loses sync as the film progresses. Blah! Any ideas what can be done to remedy please. Thanks to anyone who can help.

Cheers,
Viddynick.

[Ron P.]

That's a hazard of the occupation so to speak. When you're friend uploaded it, apparently that web host re-coded it. Which is kinda unusual, if it uses FLV to stream the video. This is where it can get difficult to get the video to someone else for uploading. To reduce the risk of OOS (out-of-sync), the video needs to be in a lessor compressed format before uploading. Most of the time this is not that much of a problem with slideshows, and video that does not use talking heads, where a person is facing the camera narrating.

Check with your friend, find out what the web host he is using recommends for video upload. See if it is possible for you to log-in to that web host and upload. If so you can then use your MPEG-2 file. You can try to create another format, like WMV, which also is know for smaller (not as small as FLV) file sizes, or MPEG-4. Of course the main issue is being able to send it, I presume by email. Most email services have a max file size limit of 25 MBs. That's not very much when we are dealing with video.

Next you could try to find a file sharing host. I've used a couple over time, and currently will mainly use MicroSoft Skydrive. I also use Humyo.com. It was sold to Trend Micro and I don't think they have a free account like Humyo did. It does allow for very large file uploads, and it's main function is to provide safe, secure back-up for your computer. Since I was with Humyo before being sold, I'm grandfathered in for now anyway. There's others around just like Trend Micro, just need to look around.

[Viddynick]

Ron, again thanks for your helpful comments all noted. Unfortunately, it is "talking heads" - art demos - talking while they work! I am OK on sending it, as he runs a website gallery and has a high powered "send it" facility which takes pretty large files. Currently, my friend thinks he may be able to sort at his end! - so I am hanging my hopes on that. I agree the thought had occurred to me that he could give me the pass to upload it myself but as he is doing it on behalf of another outfit, I would respect him for feeling he cannot do that. It defintely played OK when I tried it before sending. He was pleased to find I had now created in FLV format so is obviously used to it. I will report back and let you know the outcome as I think it's awful when people disappear once the problem is solved without thanking those who have given helpful advice. So thanks again and I will post again soon - hopefully all sorted.

[Viddynick]

Have today heard from friend who is loading the film to the website. He reckons he might be able to tweak something at his end and I am to hold fire until I hear from him. Hopefully, there will be a result as I have no idea what else I can do at this end! He seemed happy when I said I had written to FLV format and so imagine it just might be something to do with the loading! If all turns out well, I will disappear from this thread but would just like to thank you again for your help which has been much appreciated. Cheers, Viddynick.

[Ron P.]

Keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out.