Video
From Showit Manual
Showit supports Flash Video with the extension ".flv" and MPEG-4 standard container files that contain video and audio data encoded using H.264/AAC with extensions .mp4, .mpv, .mov, .mp4v, .3gp, .3g2. If you add a video file that has one of those extensions, Showit will attempt to read the video as Flash Video and if it cannot play the video, it will add the video file as a package instead.
For MPEG-4 files that contain meta data at the end of the file that prevents streaming in Flash, Showit automatically modifies the video file before upload to move the meta data to the front of the file so that it can stream.
You can add video directly to a page but it will play automatically with no controls and you can choose what to do when the video ends on the advanced tab. This is good for simple video transitions or short clips, but for video that you want to have controls like play and pause, it is recommended that you add a Video Player widget to your page and then add the video to that player.
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Conversion Options
If the video is not in a compatible Flash Video format, please convert the video and then try importing again. We recommend the following options to get video into your website:
- Export Using Quicktime - On a Mac or PC, if you are using a program that lets you export to Quicktime, you can use these settings.
- Video For Web - Is a free PC flv converter.
- Super - Free PC FLV converter.
- Evom - Free Mac video converter.
- Media Convert - Allows you to upload video and then download as a different format
- SmugMug - Upload video and automatically have it converted to multiple sizes (max 10 min and requires subscription). Showit includes a built in Video Player Widget.
- Vimeo - Free and premium versions that automatically converts your files. Showit includes a built in Video Player Widget.
- YouTube - Free and automatically converts your video but YouTube is currently limited by 10 minute clips. Showit includes a built in Video Player Widget for YouTube.
- iMovie is built into any Mac.
The maximum file size per video in Showit is not limited but dependent on the computer and the amount of RAM available to package the file which typically maxes out at around 200 megabytes.
Streaming Video
If a video serves as the "introduction" to a website, it is highly recommended to keep this file size below 10 Mb. The average US internet connection speed is presently 2.3 Mb/s (2,300 Kbps). In order for data to stream properly at that speed without chopping, the size of the video (in pixels) and the bitrate setting must be correct. These figures largely depend on the aspect ratio of the source video. Here are the two common aspect ratios seen today, and their respective maximum video sizes;
- 16/9 aspect ratio - 640px x 360px
- 4/3 - aspect ratio - 640px x 480px
The bitrate is quite simply how fast (per second) that the data is being transferred (in bits). With streaming video it's the number of bits per unit of playback time. To determine this number use the calculator below.
Flash Supported Video Types
For more info on Flash supported video types see the following articles from Adobe:
- http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb402866&sliceId=2
- http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/hd_video_flash_player_02.html
- http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flash/articles/video_guide_03.html
- http://labs.adobe.com/wiki/index.php/Flash_Player:9:Update:H.264
iPhone and iPad Video Types
When using a Mobile +Site if you want to be able to provide HTML5 video content you will need to provide video compressed in a format that the device supports. With the iPhone and iPad it can be a hassle because they do not support FLV and even an mov or mp4 is not good enough, there are specifics on resolution and bitrates that are supported. The iPhone Tech Specs indicate that the highest resolution the iPhone supports is 640x480 and different bitrates based on mp4 and h.264 and the iPad Tech Specs indicate support up to 1280x720 with varying bitrates. The good news is that if you get your video compressed to work on an iPhone or iPad, it will also work directly in Showit in your Flash site.
There are a few recommended options for getting video to these devices:
- If you have Quicktime and purchase a Pro license you can open a video on Windows or Mac and export to the device using one of the settings provided.
- Use an online converting service like Media Convert which can take a little bit longer for upload and download of the file.
- Upload to SmugMug which takes care of converting your videos and you can either include directly from SmugMug or download the iPhone size and add to Showit.
- Use YouTube and they take care of all the work also to get it in the right format for playback on these devices. The only issue with that is that YouTube will include a watermark indicating where the video is coming from.
There is a full explanation with lots of info on supported formats for iPhone here: http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/the-complete-guide-to-ipod-video-formats-and-display-resolutions/
Mobile Flash Video
The mobile Flash Player 10.1 supports standard Flash video formats but is hardware accelerated for h.264 on most devices. There is more info for encoding video for mobile Flash in this Adobe article.
