Presenter supports flv, swf and mp4 videos. Other types will need to be converted before inserting. There's no way around it other than to insert your .wmv files as Web Objects which really isn't the best approach.
What I think we should look at is why your videos are taking so long to load. Can you share a little more info around the videos you're using and how you're processing them (how large, dimensions, method for compressing)?
as an example: The Video Clip is basically a Mercedes Benz commercial but it covers the required subject. The video is captured from youtube.com and converted with Wondershare Video Converter Platinum to an .flv file which is inserted as Flash Movie. The final size is: 110,126KB
Here are the settings:
Basic Youtube Downloader used to download videos from Youtube.
WonderShare Video - Audio Profile Conversion Settings
Video Encoder: FLV Video Resolution: 640x480 Frame Rate: 29.97fps Bit Rate: 1500 kbps
I tested the link 4 times and the video loaded within 3 seconds each time. this is acceptable time in my book for a video that size embedded in an Articulate course.
The problem is that I have had many complaints stating that the video is a stop-and-go situation. I will partially load and play, then it is on hold until more data is available, it will continue playing again.....and stop and play and stop and play.
I have a dedicated, virtual server at godaddy.com. My audience are students (15 1/2 through 18 years old) and driving instructors (for another course).
I'm not sure your course is the issue. As you have an unknown at the other end of the pipe, the issues you state are most likely due to end user speed issues and not your course.
I'll try this from home tonight and let you know what I see.
FYI: I have a 26-30 Mbps cable connection at home. I also know that after some data mining that most end users have only 1-7 Mbps as that is the average in the US, and then usually multiple users online at any time which will slow down the in-home speed.
So after reviewing the course from the link, i did not see any issues with buffering. I played the video from Youtube and they both started with video/audio at the 3 sec mark.
I downloaded the video from youtube using a program called YouTube Downloader (free basic version). The file downloaded to an FLV format and was only 24meg, but I see yours is 110meg. I suggest trying this program and see what your size comes out too and if that version is acceptable. I did notice the version on youtube was pretty poor quality to start with, so there are some issues if you want to force the 640x480 output.
One way to lower the file size is to adjust the audio quality. As there is no voice over, I don't think you need to have the audio at cd quality. You might want to downgrade to 22khz, mono. And i'm confused as to why you have an MP3 audio file when the audio should be embedded in the FLV file?
About your last message: My assumption is that YouTube has huge bandwidth to dump videos to the world. I'm sure the GoDaddy server you have is not at the same level, which is why users are reporting that. It's not really a fair comparison.
11 Replies
Hi Juergen and welcome to E-Learning Heroes!
Presenter supports flv, swf and mp4 videos. Other types will need to be converted before inserting. There's no way around it other than to insert your .wmv files as Web Objects which really isn't the best approach.
What I think we should look at is why your videos are taking so long to load. Can you share a little more info around the videos you're using and how you're processing them (how large, dimensions, method for compressing)?
David
Good morning David,
as an example: The Video Clip is basically a Mercedes Benz commercial but it covers the required subject. The video is captured from youtube.com and converted with Wondershare Video Converter Platinum to an .flv file which is inserted as Flash Movie. The final size is: 110,126KB
Here are the settings:
Basic Youtube Downloader used to download videos from Youtube.
WonderShare Video - Audio Profile Conversion Settings
Video
Encoder: FLV Video
Resolution: 640x480
Frame Rate: 29.97fps
Bit Rate: 1500 kbps
Audio
Encoder: Mp3 Audio
Sample Rate: 44100 Hz
Channel: 2 Channels Stereo
Bit Rate: 256 kbps
Here is a link: https://course.dmv-driversed.com/Sample/player.html
Thanks for your help.
Juergen
Juergen,
I tested the link 4 times and the video loaded within 3 seconds each time. this is acceptable time in my book for a video that size embedded in an Articulate course.
What times were you seeing?
The problem is that I have had many complaints stating that the video is a stop-and-go situation. I will partially load and play, then it is on hold until more data is available, it will continue playing again.....and stop and play and stop and play.
What is your delivery platform and audience? Internal on a standard setup or external with unknown users and data speeds?
I have a dedicated, virtual server at godaddy.com. My audience are students (15 1/2 through 18 years old) and driving instructors (for another course).
I'm not sure your course is the issue. As you have an unknown at the other end of the pipe, the issues you state are most likely due to end user speed issues and not your course.
I'll try this from home tonight and let you know what I see.
FYI: I have a 26-30 Mbps cable connection at home. I also know that after some data mining that most end users have only 1-7 Mbps as that is the average in the US, and then usually multiple users online at any time which will slow down the in-home speed.
Thanks for the info. I will wait for your reply.
Forgot to mention. Some customers are telling me that they have no problems watching things on youtube but they have trouble watching my videos.
So after reviewing the course from the link, i did not see any issues with buffering. I played the video from Youtube and they both started with video/audio at the 3 sec mark.
I downloaded the video from youtube using a program called YouTube Downloader (free basic version). The file downloaded to an FLV format and was only 24meg, but I see yours is 110meg. I suggest trying this program and see what your size comes out too and if that version is acceptable. I did notice the version on youtube was pretty poor quality to start with, so there are some issues if you want to force the 640x480 output.
One way to lower the file size is to adjust the audio quality. As there is no voice over, I don't think you need to have the audio at cd quality. You might want to downgrade to 22khz, mono. And i'm confused as to why you have an MP3 audio file when the audio should be embedded in the FLV file?
About your last message: My assumption is that YouTube has huge bandwidth to dump videos to the world. I'm sure the GoDaddy server you have is not at the same level, which is why users are reporting that. It's not really a fair comparison.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for your answers. I shall look further into it and see what I need to change on my end.
Have a nice day!
Juergen
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