Hi Carl,
Thank you for replying to my question. I spent quite a bit of time last evening trying to figure out how to add videos. I searched for and read through any number of threads about adding video. Often with conflicting information. Although I have at least gotten them to post, I still am not confident that I am doing it the correct way or to optimum effect. I'll respond to all your suggestions. Everything that I have attempted so far has been based on information gleaned from posts here on the forum about adding videos to one's posts.
Everything I have attempted to do so far has been predicated on the idea (from a post by Rich on the subject) that the only way to get video to embed in a post as commonly seen is to use a hosting service. He basically suggested that photos are best when attached directly from one's own computer, but videos work better when hosted on a server like Youtube or Photobucket. Each respective method allowing for the desired effect (slideshows, click to enlarge with photos - embedding, file size limits with videos).
I also watched the video posting tutorial prepared by member TMack. I derived some things from his video that ultimately resulted in my videos finally showing up. Namely setting the video format to "Iframes". It didn't automatically switch formats.
I have no idea if any of the tip or tutorial information is still valid or now obsolete due to updates or revisions in the forum. By the way, I am using Chrome as my browser and Windows 7 as my operating system.
Here we go:
Originally Posted by Moonman:
Hi Jim,
First, a comment on using photobucket. I can't tell you how many times I have found a thread of interest only to find blank placeholders in the thread that have a message about the linked photobucket files have been moved or deleted.
I went with Photobucket since I already have an account there. Nothing against Youtube. Just out of curiousity, if I were to use Youtube to host my video, would the same thing happen if I deleted a video from my Youtube account?
Use the add attachments tool on the forum to keep your photos\videos in a thread for posterity on the forum. Use photobucket as you normally do. Although, with external hard drives of 1tb-2tb being affordable these days, I think you can have a local archive.
Two things here. The very first video I posted I attached this way. It seemed to be squished horizontally, not maintaining the aspect ratio. So I was hoping if I embedded the video it would be properly formatted. Secondly, I was concerned about the file sizes with this method. I was under an impression that the limit was 25MB. However now it appears to be 100MB.
When I clicked on the link in this thread, it immediately started to play the video.
Yes. This is my issue. This doesn't happen when I open other threads with videos embedded.
When I closed it and went to the thread, there are blank placeholders where the videos should be inserted.
The solution is to use the insert/imbed media tool(looks like a piece of film) and imbed the video directly from your computer or attached camera. Just point it to the file location.
As far as I can discern, using the insert/embed media tool doesn't work this way. I either need to copy the URL "share" link and paste it in the field on the "General" tab, or copy the HTML "share" code and paste that into the field on the "Source" field. I don't see any way to browse my computer and select a file directly while using this method. I can definitely do this (and do when posting photos) when simply using the "Add Attachments" method.
Photobucket won't let me see the help without an account regarding sharing photos and videos. If it is like youtube, you copy the sharing link and paste it into the forum imbed tool dialog.
Photobucket works the same way with the sharing links. I tried this many different ways. I tried the direct link pasted in the URL field and also the HTML link pasted into the source field. The only way I seem to be able to get it to work is pasting the direct link in the URL field and also setting the format to "Iframes". What you see in my post is achieved this way.
Would you paste one video link into a reply? I'd like to see what type of link they provide.
Sure. Direct link pasted into the "file/URL" field:
http://vid1202.photobucket.com...-001_zps3r4egrgz.mp4
HTML link pasted into the "source" field:
<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid1202.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb375%2Fsellingmytrains%2Fpb-001_zps3r4egrgz.mp4&title=">
Thanks, hope this helps some.
Fortunately, I have a limited number of videos to add to the forum. The whole process has been rather tedious. In fact, I have problems just getting the video off my camera in a format that I can use. It records in AVCHD resulting in an .MTS file. Converting these to something else is a pain without the right software. And Photobucket doesn't recognize the .mts format so I can't upload the file to my account until I convert them.
I appreciate your willingness to jump in here and try to help me. If you can identify anything obvious based on the information I've provided here, let me know. I can always edit my existing post if I find a better way to add the video.
Jim
