Embedding Video

[Rushal]

I have been given 2 video files, 1 asx and 1 qtl.

Whats the best way to embed these into a fragment so that it will play either/or video, across most platforms (ie, firefox, netscape etc etc).

I can get the video to play fine in ie6 but when it comes to firefox (and others I presume), firefox wants to download the plug-in (which is awkward for our customers as its hard work). This is what i am expecting but is there a way to play either/or these files so they will work without having to download plugins?

The videos are being streamed from streamingwizard.com

Would I be better of converting either of the videos instead?

Im aware of being able to use youtube (works great in actinic) but apparently im not allowed to upload to youtube as its a promotional video thats copyrighted.

Any suggestions?

Chris

[leehack]

I'd convert them to a common format.

[Rushal]

Hi Lee

What would be the best format to use. Basically im trying to embed the video so that when a customer is taken to a page the video starts to play.

Im using the following at the moment which does work in ie6, but not firefox:

!!<<!-- BEGIN GENERIC ALL BROWSER FRIENDLY HTML FOR NETSHOW V3 --> 
<OBJECT ID="MediaPlayer" width=320 height=290
classid="CLSID:22D6F312-B0F6-11D0-94AB-0080C74C7E95" 
codebase="http://activex.microsoft.com/activex/controls/mplayer/en/nsmp2inf.cab#Version=,1,52,701" 
standby="Loading Microsoft Windows Media Player components..."  
type="application/x-oleobject"> 
<PARAM name="FileName" value="http://http://server.com/video.asx"> 
<EMBED type="application/x-mplayer2"  
pluginspage="http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/Downloads/Contents/Products/MediaPlayer/" 
SRC="http://server.com/video.asx" 
name="MediaPlayer" 
width=290
height=320> 
</EMBED> 
</OBJECT>>!!

[leehack]

There is no right or wrong here IMO, I think many people have many different ideas here. I don't like embedded videos, i like them to play on the surfer's chosen player and be downloadable. I like to provide a .wmv file and a .mov file. I have found that to cover almost anyone, if not everyone.

[Rushal]

I know what your saying. Actually the original website gave the user an option to use either video in there choice of player.

Hmmmm, I'll give flash a go and if that doesn't produce what i want i'll go back to the original (and your idea).

Thanks Lee

[los_design]

Here is a list of some convertion software that may help

If you are looking for a seamless presentation then flash is you man IMHO

[leehack]

If you are looking for a seamless presentation then flash is you man IMHO

Flash does look very good and professional if done correctly, only thing i don't like is the inability to download the file. Certainly work considering though. 10 people will give 10 different replies on this subject IMO.

Gabe will come in and say .mov

[gabrielcrowe]

you're joking mr hack.

i'd never use a mov in a webpage. its very bad. lots and lots of people dont have quicktime installed on their systems.

i'd use flash all the time for embedding only, but as you say, you cannot download it. video like those on youtube is fairly easy to make, in fact, i think flash has methods of importing making the video built in.

i'd use windows media video, for a compromise, if can both be streamed and downloaded by most people. every windows machine can play wmv.

better yet, have the same video embedded in flv (flash video) and also downloadable in higher quality in wmv (windows media video) this combination of formats will be best.