Popular Video Formats, Players and Distribution Methods (page 2)
Distribution Methods
Now, instead of putting a VHS tape in a padded envelope, you have multiple options for distributing your video - from e-mailing very short clips to sending a DVD via the postal system to uploading to a host like YouTube or using a public FTP site like yousendit.com. The size of your video and its intended final destination are going to have an impact on which works best.
YouTube
By far the easiest way to get a short video to multiple people is uploading to a service like YouTube. With a basic account, you can upload a video that's less than two gigs in size and ten minutes in length and is in .avi, .mpg, .mov or .wmv file format. (A "director's account" will let you upload longer and larger files.) A video on YouTube can be public (world-viewable) or private (limited to 25 invited users).
Mail a DVD
Most people have DVD players, and, for longer videos and high-quality videos, burning a DVD is usually the best way to get your masterpiece seen.
e-Mail Small Files
Small video files, like a heavily-compressed MPEG-4, can be sent via e-mail. Most e-mail accounts, such as Gmail, will let you send a file up to 25 megabytes in size. Be sure to check with the person you're sending the video to first.
Post to Your Website
When distributing large files, you can simply upload them to a directory on your web page and send people a URL. From there, they can download the file and play it on their computers.
Streaming Video
"Streaming" is a method by which video is downloaded and played at the same time, in the way a TV broadcast works - they send a signal, you watch it; you don't need storage media, just a receiver. This is a big benefit, but it also means your viewers can't save the file. They have to go back to the source every time they want to watch it.
Formats that can support streaming are Flash, MPEG-4, QuickTime, Real and Windows Media.
Creating a streaming video file isn't difficult - most applications have a "save for web" option in their export menu which will allow you to create a streaming video file. What makes streaming video complicated is that, in order to actually stream a file, you must store it on a streaming video server which runs special software that manages the connection. You can install your own streaming video server software, such as VideoLAN www.videolan.org, or you can have your files hosted on an existing streaming video server or a commercial hosting service like streamhoster.com.
Conclusion
As the methods people use to watch video have changed from sitting in front of the television watching prepared shows to watching home-produced content of varying lengths on not just TVs but on computers, web browsers and handheld devices, the mechanisms and requirements for video materials have become more complicated.
Using commonly-available applications and popular video formats such as QuickTime and Windows Media may ensure that the most number of people can view your video files in the quality in which you want them seen, but often the convenience of a service like YouTube is the best option. The key to making that decision is knowing who your audience is and how your file will be viewed.
Contributing Editor Kyle Cassidy is a visual artist who exhibits regularly and has written books on technology and photographic art.
