Since everybody just ignored my solution, which is the most logical I’ll say this: It’s time to move away from operating system dependent file formats. In my opinion, Mp4 offers the best file size and quality and due to it’s compatibility with mobile devices specifically iPhone and iPad, Mp4 is the only file format you should concern yourself with. Offering 3-5 different file formats is so 1997. Having your members install VLC Media Player and optionally Microsoft Security Essentials will be doing your members a huge service, and significantly reduce technical support requests while promoting rebills.
I’m not trying to make an argument for or against the idea of asking members to download a different player.
I’m curious as to why members would complain if WMV format wasn’t offered?
I have a windows machine and it plays MP4’s with the same level of quality as a WMV… From my perspective I could care less whether the file is WMV or MP4. Actually now that I think about it I would prefer MP4’s because I can transfer them to my iPhone without having to convert them first so actually I think MP4’s would be the best route.
[QUOTE=mountequinox;117209]I’m not trying to make an argument for or against the idea of asking members to download a different player.
I’m curious as to why members would complain if WMV format wasn’t offered?
I have a windows machine and it plays MP4’s with the same level of quality as a WMV… From my perspective I could care less whether the file is WMV or MP4. Actually now that I think about it I would prefer MP4’s because I can transfer them to my iPhone without having to convert them first so actually I think MP4’s would be the best route.
Am I missing something?
Sincerely,
Kevin.[/QUOTE]
The average member doesn’t know anything about video formats. He’s just familiar with wmv and when he doesn’t find wmv he cancels or complains, sometimes with very nasty emails. I tell you that cause it’s what I’ve learned with members area changes.
Interesting… I run a membership based site as well and I only offer MP4’s. I don’t tell the member what the type of file is. I just have one button that says download now… Never had a single complaint from a MAC or PC user. One would think if they had an issue with not being able to get WMV’s specifically I would have heard something but you never know.
It would be interesting to actually talk to these people who send the nasty emails and ask them if they realize MP4’s will play just fine with their Windows Media Player just like WMV’s… I would like to know what it is they like about the WMV format as compared to the MP4 format.
*Edit
It just dawned on me… You stated the average user doesn’t know anything about video formats!!
I think that is the key to this confusion…
On my site I don’t tell them the format of the download… They click a button and download the MP4 unbeknownst to them… It plays they are happy
If your advertising click here for MP4 then yeah I guess there could be some confusion based on the lack of knowledge of the “average user”…
I don’t use Premiere, but I am on Mac and I really dislike Compressor. I output from Final Cut as MOV and then use iSkySoft Video Convertor to create mp4’s. I agree 100% with those who suggest using mp4 as the file format of choice.
All very good suggestions and I’m glad I asked it here. I am very tempted to move away from WMV videos. It would save me a lot of work and server space. But there is the issue of changing the site to remove something that the members already get. It’s like most things… if your offer something from the beginning, it’s difficult to take it away. But it was never there, then there’s no problem.
So I will consider stopping production of WMVs but I need some time to communicate and educate my members. In the meantime, can anyone list any of the big sites that offer MP4 only? Just curious.
Brad. I’ve read yours a few times and showed it to my mates. They agree with you that VLC can be the solution for all formats. I’m going to try to avoid software advice to members though (re-antivirus). Mostly because I don’t have time to offer IT support when they encounter problems. I’ll use the FAQ on the site to give some video playing suggestions.
You could also do mp4 streaming via lighttpd on another port then your web server directly to iOS devices. My suggestion would be to offer a high quality stream as well as a file download. If your not to keen on streaming, progressive download streaming works too. RealityKings and NaughtyAmerica have HUGE MP4 videos on their website you can just click and play and they really do look good.
Not sure how your members section is laid out but maybe a simple note on the main page would help calm any confusion. You could inform your members that you’ve consolidated all videos options to a single MP4 option. For those “less informed” members also let them know that these work exactly the same as WMV’s in that they will continue to use their Windows Media Player just like they used too… Apple users will continue to use Quicktime. 30 days later pull down the notice.
I can’t see a single problem by doing this.
Just to be on the safe side I would change how you link to the downloadable videos first, removing the WMV option. But, leave the WMV files on your server for a period of time till you feel safe enough going ahead and deleting them. Worst case scenario you just add the WMV link option back.
My master edited file is always output & backed up without a watermark. It’s then encoded into different formats and the watermark is added at that point. I find that gives more flexibility without having to deal with/manage multiple massive huge files.
I use 3 different formats. I make a psd file with wm for each format. In Premiere I have one project file with 3 sequences (one for each format). With Media Encoder I can queue directly the Premiere project and exporting each sequence in the format that I want.
I’ve found that having a proper wm for each format is the best way to get a decent result.
