Best way of embedding video?

[maviscruet]

I have been asked to investigate embedding video on our website and as this is not something I have done in the past, thought I would ask for a bit of advice!
We can get the files supplied in either flash or windows format.
We want to give the customer the option of streaming or download the file.
We want to allow customers to resize the video - up to a maximum size that we will specify.

Given the above requirements, is it best to go for a flash option or try something else?

If you need to know a bit more, just ask!
We are obviously aware of bandwidth considerations but first need to establish how we will embed this.

 

[BillyRayPreachersSon]

I would go with Flash because of the ease of use, scripting, availability of the plugin, and cross browser/OS support.

Dan



Coedit Limited - Delivering standards compliant, accessible web solutions

[tt]Dan's Page [blue]@[/blue] Code Couch

http://www.codecouch.com/dan/

[/tt]

 

[Vragabond]

I would agree with Dan, except for the download option. I don't think the support for playing .flv files locally is really good (although there are a lot of freeware flv players out there) and it might be better to offer another type for download (.mov or .avi).

___________________________________________________________
[small]Do something about world cancer today: Comprehensive cancer control information at PACT[/small]

 

[vacunita]

I agree with Both.

To stream the video you'll want flash, and then give the download option in another format, such as MOV or AVI.
It would be very simple, and would not have impact on the streaming version. As you would have actually 2 or 3 copies of the videos. 1 for streaming and the others for download.

You could also use MOV files and Quicktime. This would allow for streaming, and with a simple right click on a link would allow for download.


This allows you to have a single copy of the file instead of various. However I'm not sure how permeated Quicktime is in web users. Flash seems to be the choice of plugin these days.

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.