When it comes to displaying a video on a site (talking mainly about a blog post but really could be any site), what is best to use? What are the pro and cons using:
embedded video
flash video
mp4 video
Re: methods of displaying videos - pros and cons
Well I use embedded from those who supply them, which means they pay for the bandwidth. Downside is that if they go tits up, then you have a bit of scrambling to do, to either replace them or take down the posts.
Use FLV videos and WMV when supplied, using my own site player. Downside is that you have to upload them to your own server, etc. Upside is, unless your site goes down, they are always playing when needed.
my 2 cents
Re: methods of displaying videos - pros and cons
[QUOTE=Gaystoryman;72634]Well I use embedded from those who supply them, which means they pay for the bandwidth. Downside is that if they go tits up, then you have a bit of scrambling to do, to either replace them or take down the posts.
Use FLV videos and WMV when supplied, using my own site player. Downside is that you have to upload them to your own server, etc. Upside is, unless your site goes down, they are always playing when needed.
my 2 cents[/QUOTE]
Assuming you’re using tags for your blog posts, you could locate all the videos/posts about a particular sponsor relatively easy, and delete them just as easily. Say Exampleporn goes away, as long as you have all posts for that site marked with an “Exampleporn” tag, you can identify every post and get rid of it ASAP. Even easier, if you have your posts in a database, you can run a query for all “exampleporn” tags, and do a mass delete.
Re: methods of displaying videos - pros and cons
I use a plugin for WP (FLV-Embed) that displays a flash player in which you can put FLV, MOV and MP4 files - there’s no difference for the surfer whatever format you put in it.
If sponsors supply only WMV video files, I convert them to FLV with a program called Alok Video to FLV Converter and then upload the FLV file to the blog.
This way my blogs have a more uniformed look when it comes to videos. As far as sponsor hosted movies are concerned I now only embed Randyblue trailers, because they are reliable and fit into the concept of my blog aesthetically.
Hit me up on ICQ if you need guidance for the FLV plugin.
Re: methods of displaying videos - pros and cons
Very cool. Thanks everyone.
Steve, if I am reading correctly, you are saying just use the name of the site as a tag, like “Extra Big Dicks.” I’d like to put sponsors sites in my tags. Just that I come across many sites’ terms that say if an affiliate does, their account will be immediately canceled period. (Some say also if an affiliate site shows up higher than the sponsors’ in a Google search, they’ll cancel the affiliate account.) I think those are mainly “threats” but maybe not. So instead of going through making a list of who I can and cannot, I just don’t. But I do use model names as tags. What I do now is mention the name of the site in the title of the post. Doing as search on my site would bring all them up.
What I started doing for embedded videos but haven’t for a while, should keep it up, is make a list of all posts with embedded videos. But that takes time and is another list. I have too many lists already.
Finally, Steve, this is maybe unprofessional but I hope not, not meant the wrong way, but your pic is so cheery and handsome!
Re: methods of displaying videos - pros and cons
I use a plugin for WP (FLV-Embed) that displays a flash player in which you can put FLV, MOV and MP4 files - there’s no difference for the surfer whatever format you put in it.
@ Ben – or anyone else – are you using this plug-in with the most up-to-date version of WP? I’d like to give it a try for this function, but I get the warning that it hasn’t been tested with my version of WP (which is the latest – 3.0.4).
Re: methods of displaying videos - pros and cons
IMO I think that flv is on the way out, probably in the next year and a half. MP4 seems to be more efficient, and is compatible with more mobile devices.
Re: methods of displaying videos - pros and cons
I’m also all up on .MP4. We redesigned and recompressed all our Videoboys catalogue and are in progress of doing the same with our whole Squirtz and Jeremy Roddick catalogue. The pseudo streaming system we are now using is really snappy. Luv it. But we still offer good ol’ FLV to our affiliates in our toolbox.