Web Video

Distributing Video To The Masses

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Distributing Video To The Masses


The cost of creating video for the Web has plummeted, but it is still one of the most expensive elements of many Web site or Web 2.0 initiatives. Publishers want results—and it’s up to you to get them. In today’s world, your video needs to be in several places simultaneously, with great hooks bringing users back to your Web site. In this session you’ll learn how to become a hyper-syndicator, publishing your video to devices including cell phones, laptops, and televisions. Video publishing may start with an embed code, but so much more is possible—and this session will show you how to take advantage of the best opportunities available.

For more on creating video for the web, check out Professional Web Video.

New Web Video Book

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The staff of RHED Pixel just finished updating our web video book. This book significantly expands our original book on podcasting. We've added coverage of lots of brand new things. Here's the official listing:

Want to create professional quality web video that stands out in a crowded playing field? Gain a complete understanding of the opportunity, limitations, production, and distribution process with this book. Step up from the flip-cam experience with this solid introduction to professional planning and production techniques, ensuring that your video meets the same standards you set for every other element in your communication program.

  • Follow the RHED Pixel team as they detail every step of the way with engaging illustrations that demonstrate the process from concept to distribution including:
  • Preproduction planning of concept, scope, budget, and casting
  • Web-specific techniques for audio, lighting, and videography
  • Detailed overview of editing and encoding of web video
  • Effective branding and storytelling aids including b-roll, images and motion graphics
  • Distribution alternatives including HTML5, Flash, podcasting, RSS, and website hosting
  • Effective techniques to promote and monetize your video


Now available for pre-order.

MPEG-4 Demystified

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The MPEG-4 format is really a suite of standards with many parts. Each part offers a set of standards for aspects such as audio, video, and file formats. The standard was first introduced in 1998, but continues to evolve with important new changes. MPEG is an acronym for the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group, which serves as the governing body for the format.

The two most common parts of MPEG-4 are part 2, which is used in codecs such as DivX and QuickTime 6, and H.264, which is part of QuickTime 7 and QuickTime X as well as Blu-ray Discs. We’ll explore the newer H.264 in a moment, but lets first look at the common .mp4 file that is often used for the web.Note that certain players can handle both types of MPEG-4 video, while many newer devices prefer H.264 video.

Many compression tools offer the more plainly labeled MPEG-4 option. This generally means that the older MPEG-4 part 2 Simple Profile specs are being followed. This ensures greater compatibility with QuickTime 6. The format is also more likely to play using other web-based players such as RealPlayer and the open-source VLC media player. Some podcasters favor this format if they are targeting a user-base of running older computer operating systems. While the format does offer broader support, it does not offer the same level of quality of the newer H.264 format.

The H.264 format is an extension of the MPEG family and is also called MPEG-4 Part 10, or AVC (Advanced Video Coding). This format is broadly used outside of podcasting and web video including uses for broadcast television and Blu-ray Discs. The format was first drafted in 2003, and saw widespread adoption by 2005. H.264 video wrapped in an MPEG-4 container is the preferred format of Apple, as it is used for both movie trailers on Apple’s website and TV shows and movies available for sale it the iTunes Store.

Support for H.264 extends beyond Apple. In 2005, Sony added complete support to the PlayStation Portable line. In 2006, Microsoft launched the Zune portable media player, which included both MPEG-4 and H.264 support. In 2007, YouTube began encoding all uploaded videos to both their standard player and H.264. This move was to broaden the reach of YouTube videos to the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad models. Additionally, Adobe Media Player released in 2008 also supports H.264 in addition to Flash video.

Pre-Processing for Video-Sharing Sites

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There are hundreds of websites that offer embeddable players based on Flash technology. For many, this is a key way to embed content on their website and share with others. In this case, you are using the hosting services of the video-sharing site as well as their embeddable players.

While many take a role the dice approach, we believe in pre-processing clips before we upload. By taking matters into your own hands, you can get better looking clips in the final player. You can also get around some of the file size limits that can impede the duration of the video.

Let's take a look at two of the most popular services, YouTube and Facebook. The techniques discussed however can be applied to many other sites as well.

blipt.tv Review

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One of our favorite services has to be blip.tv. This robust site let’s you publish your video to many outlets (including nontraditional ones like TiVo and internet connected TVs). In fact the company claims that its network “reaches more than 80% of Americans on the Internet and a growing number of television households.”

We really like how flexible blip.tv is in that you can choose your distribution format. You have options to use Flash, MPEG-4, QuickTime, and more. Their player is also highly customizable and can be fully branded to your site or brand.

The service has both a free version and a paid version at $8 per month. The paid version offers priority encoding so your files are available in multiple formats. This is a great feature as it lets others re-syndicate your content using a player of their choice. The control panel for the site is very robust, and gives you complete control over targeting specific networks and social media sites.

TubeMogul Review

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The OneLoad service from TubeMogul (www.TubeMogul.com) offers both a robust free version (which allows for 100 videos per month) and a scaled paid service with advanced features for large publishers (priced at $50 per month and up). The principal benefit here is that it offers a single point for deploying videos to the top video and social networking sites.

You first set up accounts at any of the 30 sites supported by TubeMogul. You then upload a video to TubeMogul’s site and it is sent onto the other sites. This means you need to spend a little time setting things up, but once you’ve published more than two videos, this method is substantially faster. The site also offers detailed analytics (for supported sites), that can show real-time viewership, geographic tracking, stream quality and more.

Safari Extensions Coming Soon

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Looks like Apple is making it easier to find Safari extension soon. The Firefox community is already pretty vibrant in this regard and I look forward to more coming out for my favorite browser.

Apple sent out an email today asking for submission to their "Safari Extensions Gallery".

We'll soon be launching the Safari Extensions Gallery, a new destination that provides you with an opportunity to increase the visibility of your Safari extension beyond your website. The Safari Extensions Gallery will feature selected extensions that offer an innovative user experience. And a one-click installation process will allow users to seamlessly install extensions from a developer’s website without ever having to leave the Gallery.

MacRumors.com has early extensions that have already been released.

Safari 5 is Released

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While the iPhone announcement got most of the press today, Apple also released Safari version 5 today. Here are the highlights of the new version:

  • 30 percent performance boost over Safari 4
  • Addition of Bing to the Google and Yahoo! options.
  • Addition of Reader option for websites with news articles. Just click the Reader icon in the Smart Address Field to display the entire article for clear, uninterrupted reading with options to enlarge, print or send via email.

  • Runs JavaScript 30 percent faster than Safari 4, three percent faster than Chrome 5.0, and over twice as fast as Firefox 3.6.
  • Full screen playback and closed captions for HTML5 video


Safari 5 is available for Mac and Windows as a free download at www.apple.com/safari.
The Safari Developer Program is free to join at developer.apple.com/programs/safari.