General Questions
What is vidEstream™?
vidEstream™[web video solutions] simplifies the process for businesses to add one or thousands of videos of their choice, to their website and email. The online plug-and-play web-based application allows users to upload video from their computer to the vidEstream™ video management system (VMS), customize how the videos look and play and then embed web-links on their websites. Once clicked or activated, vidEstream™ delivers a flash media video stream direct to the viewers computer.
Video Preparation
For best results, upload the original file. If however, this exceeds 1GB, it will be necessary to
re-encode the video to a suitable size. You will need a third party program to do this such as: Windows
Movie Maker (PC) or iMovie (Mac).
Alternatively, if you have a video person / company that you use they could do it for you.
vidEstream™ also provides a free service to do this fror you (conditions apply)
Your Video
What video media formats do you accept?
vidEstream™ encodes from the following formats:
.avi, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .flv, .vob
How can I upload Higher Quality Videos?
All you need to do is continue uploading the highest quality video you have available.
vidEstream™ accepts a wide range of video file formats such as .avi, .mov and .mpg, and.vob.
You can also upload your own flash video, however, it must conform to the following settings:
| File Type: |
Flash Video (flv) |
| Size: |
(wide) x 304 (high) - widescreen aspect ratio (16x9) |
| Frames per second: |
25 fps |
| Data Rate: |
video 336 Kbps + audio 64 Kbps (total 400 Kbps) |
| Key Frame: |
every 50 frames |
| De-interlace video: |
yes |
What is a .mov file?
Files saved with a .mov extension are QuickTime movies. They are often created by iMovie on a Mac, but other video editing programs can also save in this format. QuickTime .mov files can be uploaded to vidEstream™ without any additional conversion.
How do I edit my video?
Most computers come with some sort of video editing application already installed, such as Apple iMovie or Microsoft Movie Maker. Using these programs, you can easily edit your videos, add soundtracks, change the file type, compress the file size, etc.
There are also more advanced editing programs available for purchase or download online.
What file types do you make?
After uploading to vidEstream™, a video or audio file is encoded into
- A Flash Video (FLV) file containing the (video or audio) asset
- A collection of zero or more thumbnail images. These are only produced for video files since audio files contain no visual content.
Can I upload any other type of content to vidEstream™ besides video?
vidEstream™ is designed to host videos only. The vidEstream™ system will not accept files such as pictures (Jpegs etc) or music (mp3s etc). Instead you can make your pictures or music into a video to upload.
What is the maximum file size I can upload?
Files up to 1GB may be uploaded.
Uploading media files
How can I upload media files?
You can upload files using the 'Multiple File Uploader' through the Drag & Drop Box interface
How long will my video take to upload?
This will depend on the size you the video and the connection speed you have. It could take a couple of minutes through to a few hours to transfer the video. Normally, on a high-speed connection the upload should take 1-5 minutes for each 1MB. But this is different for individual users owing to the varying connection speeds available.
I'm using Windows Movie Maker. Why won't my video upload?
It's possible that your trying to upload the project file. Check to see if it's a .MSWMM file. This is not a video file. Within Windows Movie Maker, from the "File" menu choose the 'Save Movie File' or 'Publish Movie' options and make a video file such as an .avi
How many videos I can upload?
Each package designates the number of uploads available. In order to upload more videos you will need to upgrade your package.
Is there a maximum number of minutes that my video has to be?
There is no time limit as long as the file is under 1GB for the "Mulitple File Uploader"
How long/large can my video be?
Your videos can be up to 1GB.
The longer the video is, the more compression will be required to fit it into that size.
You can compress your video using video editors, like Windows Movie Maker or Apple iMovie. Programs like these allow you to edit your videos, add soundtracks and compress file sizes.
My upload's been running a long time and hasn't completed. What should I do?
Uploading a video can take several hours, depending on the length of your video and the demand on the servers. If your video upload is taking longer than 24 hours to complete, we recommend that you cancel the upload, check the length and settings for your video and upload it again.
Please make sure that any firewall software you may have is allowing the connection to our server. If you're on a corporate network, the connection may be blocked. You might want to check with your network administrator to find out what restrictions apply to your network.
Dimensions & Sizes for Media
What are the default dimensions for the player?
The viewable area is 540 (wide) by 304 (high), eg, 540x304. This is the widescreen aspect ratio (16x9)
Can I change the size of the player?
Currently, there is one size. Users can click on the 'resize' mode on the player to play video at double size. Soon, 'full screen' mode will be available.
Encoding
Encoding is where the original file is converted into another format.
How do I choose the format of the encoded media file?
vidEstream™ only encodes into flash video.
How long does it take to process a video after it's been uploaded?
Processing time varies greatly depending on the format of your original video, file size and upload traffic. This could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
If your video is very large and has not uploaded after 24 hours try removingthe video and uploading it again.Click the "Remove Video" button beside the video in "My Videos" and go through the upload process again.
We accept most video file formats, including .mov, .vob, .mpg or .avi. If your video is one of these formats and won't upload, there might be a problem with the video compression used.
How do I know when my file is encoded?
You will know the file has been encoded when a picture from your video appears in "My Videos" and the status says 'processed'
How long does encoding take?
Generally most media files are encoded within 10 minutes of being submitted.
Encoding time can depend on multiple factors like:
- The size of the encoding queue
- The size of the media file being uploaded
- In the original media file,the density of the information
Estimated encoding times by file size:
- Up to 5 MB: 5 minutes or less
- Up to50 MB: 15 minutes or less
- Up to100 MB: 25 minutes or less
- Up to200 MB: 50 minutes or less
- Other: Anything up to 90 minutes
Take note that this is an estimate
Why is it taking so long for my file to encode?
Encoding can be unpredictable, it may take more than one go to encode a file. If the upload doesn't encode the first time we try again with different settings. If that doesn't work then we manually upload your file. Let us know if your having problems
Why do some files do not encode?
Files that do not encode do so for a particular reason, corruption of the file may be the cause. However we have an encoding success rate of 97 %
What happens to the original media file after encoding?
We keep the original file for one week only
Why are thumbnail images taken?
Thumbnail images are taken so you can have the option to use them as a potential link to your video
How many thumbnail images taken?
At the moment, 6 thumbnails are taken from the duration of the first 30 seconds.
Advertising
What types of ads do you do?
- Overlay, an ad can appear over footage if required.
- Pre-roll and post-roll, you can upload static ads before and after the video.
Requirements
Web Browser
The following browsers are supported:
- Internet Explorer 6.0
- Internet Explorer 7.0
- Mozilla Firefox 2.0
- Apple Safari 3.0 or later
Adobe Flash
Version 8 or later.
How do I check the version of Adobe Flash that I have installed?
Click through to here.
What version of Adobe Flash do you require?
Version 8 or higher. Click through to here to find the penetration of different Adobe Flash versions.
Other Questions
My player displays in Firefox but not Microsoft Internet Explorer. Why?
Please check the version of Adobe Flash installed in Microsoft Internet Explorer. This may be different from the version installed in Firefox. It is recommended that you install the latest version of Adobe Flash in both cases.
My player displays in Microsoft Internet Explorer but not Firefox. Why?
Please check the version of Adobe Flash installed in Firefox. This may be different from the version installed in Microsoft Internet Explorer. It is recommended that you install the latest version of Adobe Flash in both cases.
Glossary
Advertising Graphic Overlay - position text or graphics anywhere throughout your video in the full screen or lower third position, then decide how long you require it on screen for.
Autoplay - By selecting autoplay, the video will launch automatically when the webpage is opened and not wait for the viewer to click on the video link.
Buffering - The vidEstream™ video player downloads a video as it plays. A buffer allows it to play more smoothly if the connection isn't fast enough.
Email Link - a line of code linking to your website and video. When activated the email link takes the viewer to your website and autoplays the video.
Embedding - You can have vidEstream™ videos appear inside other web pages and blogs. The code for this is on each watch page to the right of the video.
Flash - The Flash Player from Adobe Systems is a plug-in for your web browser. vidEstream™ uses it to play videos.
Opening and Closing Graphics - Position text or graphic before and/or after the video plays, then decide on the duration displayed.
Playlist - You can create a video playlist from any video in your library and link them together in any order before connecting the playlist to a video link.
Processing Time - The time it takes a video, once uploaded to the site, to be fully entered into the vidEstream™ system with all associated video information and representative thumbnails. Processing time is not to be confused with Uploading Time, which is the time it takes for a video to upload from a user's computer to the vidEstream™ servers. Videos will be available for playback soon after uploading even while they are unprocessed, but they will not show up in "Search" nor will they show all the associated information for the video until they are fully processed.
Random - a feature in playlists. It allows you to connect any number of videos to a playlist, then each time the playlist is activated, only one of the videos will play from the playlist. vidEstream™ distributes videos evenly in a playlist using this feature.
Reports - Each video has a separate report showing the amount of views over the period of 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 1 year as well as average duration of the video watched. Reports in higher packages are automated where you can add an email address to send each report.
Reseller - provides sub-user accounts to manage and organise your clients web video requirements providing sub-user accounts and reports.
Shuffle - a feature in playlists. It allows you to connect any number of videos to a playlist, then each time the playlist is activated, all the videos will play, one after another, in a shuffled order.
Thumbnail Link - 6 thumbnail images are taken from the first 30 seconds of your video. These images can be used then as a video link either as a static link or animated.
Uploads - each video stored is 1 upload.
Views - each time the video is launched from the vidEstream™ server, either automatically (autoplay) or from an activating a video link, is recorded as 1 view.
Video Link - short piece of code which requires being inserted into your website linking to the associated video file.
Video Players - are the skins surrounding the video when playing as well as the controls for starting, stopping, volume etc.
Viral Video - allow the viewer to pass on the video link to other potential viewers
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