Paysite owners: when hosting your own movies...
 

how should I cut them up? Into 20 second blocks? would that be too short and frustrate the member? Should the movies be longer?

I dont want to host 1 long movie because i think the bandwith would kill me if the site got popular.

also what format? I think .wmv is the lightest, is that a good format or is that not universal enough?

it's exclusive content so i have to host it myself.

thanks for any suggestions.

for your members area, 5 to 10 minute blocks are cool.... anything longer is too much, and anything shorter just pisses them off.

Yes i would agree 5 mins would be the norm..

20 seconds maybe for a sneak peak or preview on on your front end. Your members would cancel in a minute if they had to download a zillion 20 sec movies.

Format yes windows media player and or real player you cant go wrong offering both formats.

ok .wmv? .mpg?

can anyone recommend a good .avi to .wmv converter?

Do NOT use .WMV. Nothing pisses me off more than websites that require a specific fucking operating system or browser. I haven't found a program or codec to handle .WMV files on Linux, yet and all of a sudden every movie I see on the web is in .WMV format. Don't risk it, go with something more universal.

I've actually come across a few sites lately that just give me a black page with "Internet Explorer is required to view this site." Fuck that bullshit. I am not going to bullied into surfing in IE just because you are too fucking lazy to code a standards-compliant web page.

SpaceAce

preferrably both if you can.... wmv if you gotta choose....

wake the fuck up assmonkey. IE is the fucking standard dumbass. YOU are the one that's rebelling... not us vid producers. Who's fuckin' lazy here? The shit is fucking free man... go fucking download it. Use it. Know it. Love it. And for the love of god... stop fucking crying.

mpg

.wmv will give you smaller file sizes, but .mpg is more universal

I would go with .wmv, probably over 90% of PC's are running windows so they would be able to play .wmv

Bull fucking shit. IE has a LONG history of going its own way. I don't know what the fuck you've been reading, but just because Microsoft says something is so doesn't make it so.

And, since you're taking the side of "video producers" how the fuck can a proprietary video format be standards compliant? It doesn't have any standard but itself.

SpaceAce

Incidentally, IE is not the standard. Internet standards are drafted by an independent group, not Bill Gates.

SpaceAce

apparently you haven;t looked at your fucking server logs lately have you... what the fuck ARE you using... Opera? Netscape?

Give me a fucking break.....

You know full fucking well that IE owns the browser market, so quit trying to play this elitist bullshit.

Yes but IE is on and installed on 90% of the worlds pc's...

exactly amp...

ok if I go with wmv am I going to get a shitload of emails asking why the movies dont work for them?
thats what Im afraid of.

anyone have experience with using wmv's on their site andcustomer complaints?

1. Yes.
2. Not a single one.

I have NT 4.0 installed here on one machine WITHOUT Windoze media player 7 ... and I can't get wmv files to run.

Do WMV files require an update ?

i fuckin' love you man.

nope. I don;t have WM7 installed on my Win2k machine either, and they work fine....

you need to format c: my friend.

That's amusing. Elitist? I choose to use a browser not sanctioned by Captain Bill and I'm elitist. It' my fault for not complying. I am sorry that I do not wish to join your Bill Gates Borg Collective, but that does not make me elitist. What is a shittier attitude? Wanting to have the freedom to surf using whatever software I like (which is why there are web standards which, again, are not determined by Microsoft) or to use my enormous market share to bully everyone into using my product and making it uncomfortable for people who don't do so?

Hm, yes, it is all so clear now. Everyone who doesn't use IE is an elitish techno-bigot. Whatever.

I love the continuous "might makes right" reasoning. "Look at your server logs! Everyone uses IE, therefore the entire web must bend to its will." Cute.

SpaceAce

thinking outloud: I could just offer a very short clip in the tour in wmv format, and then just tell the surfer that thats the format the movies are in, so if they cant see it then dont join.

no fuss no muss

That is a sort of middle-of-the-road approach and it would work. But, say 90% of your surfers do use IE, why lose 10% of your potential customers? Use a more universal format, burn a few extra gigs and don't worry about it. WMV is not magical that a site can't live without it.

SpaceAce

for WAY lower cost of bandwith. gotta start somewhere

You're a fucking moron SpaceAce.. or should I call you Spacedog?

Nice argument. I see your point.. as thin as it may be.... I DO see it.

However. The facts do not lie. IE is the fucking standard and you know it. Your personal hatred of Bill Gates and MS is beside the fact. This isn't about YOU. It's about demographics. And the fucking stats dictate that the world uses MSIE. SO fucking get over yourself.

Use whatever the fuck you wanna use. I couldn't fucking care less. You're the one that's having to deal with your inferior software. Not me.

The final point is, the people out there with the fucking credit cards are surfing with IE. So you can take your fucking ELITEST" shit and move on.... yes: elitest. Not because you choose to use different software,... but because you're militant about it. And that, makes you elitest.

I know you think I'm new at this, but I'm not. So if you wanna keep throwin' down.... bring it. You will be defeated.

"Way"? How big a difference are you seeing with WMV files? I've encoded in a lot of flavors of AVI and MPG and on my last movie gallery I had encoded in WMV but ended up not going with it for the reasons I stated above. I only saw a few percent difference. You're not talking about a 50% reduction in bandwidth unless you are also vastly lowering the encoding quality.

It's your site, of course, but unless you are really saving a ton of money it seems unwise to exclude a single potential customer if you can help it.

SpaceAce

I think all the name calling is doing a great job of proving my point for me. You haven't got a leg to stand on so you get loud and nasty.

Much like a broken record you keep coming back again and again to the "Everyone uses IE" argument. I will speak slowly: That means nothing. Do you really believe that the Microsoft programming team sat down one day and wrote a browser and the internet, HTML, JavaScript, CSS and all other standards were then built around the browser they created? No. The technology for the web has been developed for decades by hundreds of independent companies. The infrastructure is already in place. When you decide to write a browser, you write a browser that complies with the existing rules or else your software is useless. Just because your browser is popular doesn't mean you make the rules. I can sit down and slam out any code I want but it won't work unless I add support for the existing technologies. IE has a track record of just making shit up as it goes which is why it is so hard to write universal code for the web.

I especially love your assertion that my software is "inferior". I love the way you call me elitist and then proceed to imply that your browser is somehow "better" than mine.

Perhaps you should keep a dictionary handy. Nothing I said was in any way militant. I did not advocate throwing away your Microsoft products or boycotting Internet Explorer. I just suggest that you not code ONLY for Internet Explorer. I think someone who intentionally makes his page incompatible with all but one browser is a lot closer to militant than someone who just wants flexibility. In fact, militant is pretty much the opposite of flexibility.

SpaceAce

A) Who's militant?
B) I am sure you figure the power of your 8 gajillion posts will cause me to pee my pants and run away, but that isn't going to happen. The fact of the matter is that your argument collapses under the weight of its own absurdity.

SpaceAce

Both formats play fine for me. Pick which ever format is smallest in size with the same quality. AVI seems popular as well.

20 second clips are not suited for a paysite. Fuck it, they are PAYING money at this point. If someone wants to watch a blowjob video they want to download the entire scene, not 50 mini clips.

okay spacedog.... and this is the destination I have been patiently waiting for you to finally get to.

1. I did not say to only base his structure on IE format. I DID however, say that he should use both mpeg AND wmv format if possible.... and in fact more if he can accomodate it. But you glossed over that immediately way back up at the top of the thread (which is why this convo is happening in the first place), because you're so BENT on proving your fucking point... (which is stupid I might add)

2. As far as your "Not wanting to possibly exclude a potential customer by not providing an alternative format" speech goes:
again.. I DID say, provide multiple formats IF POSSIBLE.... if NOT possible.. choose wmv because the majority of your surfers will accept that format without hassle. ANd as far as "Excluding a possible customer" goes...? Please... LOOK at the fucking stats you idiot. Your "possible" customer is a 5% issue... most of which will be from fucking Russia or China or AOL or freaks like you that won't buy a fucking thing anyway. Now I'm supposed to create 4 more separate versions of every fucking site just to accomodate some freeloading fuckstick that is bent on using Opera because they're "Representin' with the down crowd against the evil MS empire"? Fuck off. I'd rather spend the day stroking my cock.

HENCE: THIS is where you decided to fire up your fucking motor scooter and go on and on about browser technology and god knows what other completely irrelevant shit that means absolutely NOTHING to me..... but if you had only OPENED YOUR FUCKING EYES IN THE FIRST PLACE...... all of this could have been avoided...

and no. My post count has nothing to do with anything... please don't tell me you're gonna be "one of those people"... because that will only make this that much more fun.

I agree with AMP.

IE is the standard. The small minority that aren't running Windows + IE are usually just militant techno geeks that simply exist to defy the standard.

In my opinion, most of these techno geeks that are running linux or whatever other wacko OS, only do so because they think the more alternative they are the more "cool" they must be because 99% of all other computer owners wouldn't even understand how to use what they run on their PC.

Its kinda like punks you see on the street that have spiky blue hair in a mohawk and an anarchy sign on the back of their studded leather jacket. They think they're cool because they aren't conformists like the rest of society. They think people who shop at the Gap are sheep.

I laugh at them.

GNU IS NOT UNIX !!! :winkwink:

spaceace = punk ass militant elitest wannabe

BRING IT SPACEY!!

BRING IT!!

i'm waiting.... :smokin

(this is a really stupid argument obviously, but hey... I'm just getting re-warmed up after my absence.... gotta start somewhere) :Graucho

I have a feeling SpaceAce looks something like this:

http://www.thescriptorium.net/punk.gif

You know, the more you talk, the less you seem to be saying. With every reply you just throw in a few more names to call me and in this one you actually attempt to rewrite history. Do you believ yu have special powers? The ability to bend reality to your will, perhaps? Let's start with #1:

Hmm... I glossed over that, eh? Well, a quick jaunt up to the top of this thread shows that I actually made my post BEFORE you made your post about using both. Now, unless I somehow stepped backwards in time and inserted my reply into the thread above yours, I couldn't possibly have "glossed over" it, because you hasn't even said it, yet!

I am especially tickled by your claim that this conversation is taking place because of this nonexistent "glossing" I did. This conversation is taking place because after I made a single post (in which I did not mention you, anything about your or make any reference to an idea put forth by you) you took the time to attack me. Everything in this conversation has been a direct result of your third-grade name-calling tactics. I have just been presenting my defense and exposing the silliness of your argument.


On to #2:

You're right, you did say to use both formats if possible. You said that with a total of ten words and then proceeded to use several semi-complete sentences to flame me for some nonsensical perceived insult to your integrity as a video producer. A 5% issue? I will admit I haven't checked my web logs for useragents in the last month or two, but the last I saw wast closer to 80% IE, not 95%. I like the way you try to categorize non-IE users as freeloaders. I guess there is some mystical quality to Internet Explorer users that makes them better people. I guess you're just an anomaly.

Now, my favorite part:

Actually, I never fired up any motor scooter. Everything I have said so far has been in reply to you. I haven't advocated any single browser or tried to persuade anyone to NOT use any single browser. I haven't even said what browser I use. As for opening my eyes, I refer you once again to the top of this thread where my post is BEFORE yours which means that even if you had laid out some well-reasoned argument (which you didn't) I couldn't possibly have read it before making that post.

All this could have been avoided if you weren't so keen to flame people. Take responsibility.



You seem conflicted. It would be more fun but you're begging me not to do it? I guess I will have to decide for myself. Fine, your post count doesn't enter into it. That doesn't change the fact that your entire last post was almost 100% pure fantasy. You flamed me for nothing and started this shit, not the other way around.

SpaceAce

Actually, I look nothing like that. I wear jeans and t-shirts and have long black hair. One earring.

As for IE being the standard, again... more people use it, that doesn't make it the standards setter.

A web browser has one purpose, that is to allow you to browse the web. The protocals and programming languages already have to exist or there is nothing to browse. Did HTML exist before IE? Yes. Did animated images and movies exist before IE? Yes.

I am not arguing whether or not most people use Internet Explorer because we all know they do. As for everyone else being technology elitist, that's really just a stupid statement. Sorry to say it like that, but it's true. That is the kind of fifth-grade mentality that grown ups should have grown out of. "Be part of the crowd or else there's something WRONG with you." I don't use an operating system other than Windows to be "cool". I use it because it is more stable and WAY more friendly to my programming development. It just makes sense for me to be using what I use.

Why should I have to reboot into Windows to watch video clips or view a web page when there are so many formats and safeguards in place to insure that the web is universal across many platforms?

SpaceAce

What's with the spacedog thing, anyway? Is that some sort of insult?

It is almost 7:00AM here, so I am off to bed. I am sure I will have plenty more replies waiting when I come back online and I will handle them, then.

SpaceAce

hmmm..... well, allow me to retort...

your first post space weenie: (of course it has since been edited to conform to your needs)
now then..... CONTRARY to your claim, I see nothing in this post about using multiple formats or anything even remotely resembling that. Which means, in essence... everything you just said is basically a fucking lie.

You're trying to weasel out of your statements Homer.. and now trying to cover them... and I'm not going to let you.

in fact.... this would be the original post:

now then.... WHO is trying to alter history here? :glugglug

Goodnight SpaceAss!

no doubt in the fine fashion you've handled them so far.

please DO come back and play again when you grow a fucking brain.

Hi,

From my own experience: My movies are from 30s to 5 minutes long. I try to keep them in one 'piece of action' and try not to divide them (and try to have this in mind while recording them LOL). But sometimes it doesn't work so I cut them movie into smaller pieces (based on scenes) so it is under 15MB or something.

Now I convert into 2 formats: Windows Media and Real Media (for me they have comparable quality). Thought about Quicktime, too but my members were not interested.

Judging by number of downloads: 70% (or little more) is Windows Media versions, the rest Real Media.

Hope this helps a little :)

I laugh at you boy. I respect most of the punk because they THINK different. At least, they THINK. Without people thinking differently than the fucking straight line, there would be no evolution or revolution... See, I'll millionnaire within 2 years (seriously) because I'm able to THINK different. It's that simple.

I hate people that can't respect the difference. They are full of fears and know nothing about them or the world. They need to get out of their fucking country ALONE and travel for once.

Anyway, go fuck yourself and go buy your 'wannabe' Gap suits.

what about hosting?
i currently pay $1/gig, is that good or should i look at a different plan for doing a pay site?

you fucking dipstick... it's not about "thinking different" or "following the norm".... you fucking freak ass techno extremists just don't get it do you... IT'S A FUCKING NUMBERS GAME!!!!!! FUCK WHAT YOU THINK!!! FUCK HOW YOU FEEL!!!

fucking assclowns.... nevermind..... you're lost.

I can't figure out if you are intentionally dense or if you really can't read.

I never claimed that I advocated multiple formats in my post. So, what are you talking about "CONTRARY" to my claim? I said don't use WMV, it isn't universal. What I did NOT say was that he should use any specific format or code for any particular platform. I didn't suggest ANYTHING specific, so what claim are you talking about?

You're so desperate to make a point that you are inventing bizarre claims. You claime that my original post has been "edited to conform" to my needs. Why is, then, that there is no little message saying "this post last edited by..."? If you look further down the page you will see a post I _did_ edit and it gives the time it was edited. In fact, everywhere on this BBS you see posts with the little line "last edited by ____ at blahblah PM". That is not in my original post because I did not edit my original post. It says the same thing it always said. Nice try though.

The funniest thing about all this that keeps me coming back to post is your amazing ability to project your own shortcomings on me. I am changing reality? I think anyone who reads most of these posts can clearly see that I have been sticking to the same story from the beginning while your story is as malleable as play-doh. Now you've been reduced to inventing claims of mysterious post editing that clearly never happened.

You claim that is my original post.
A) It is only a small portion of the original post and, despite your fragile ego, was not addresses to you.
B) It's still in the original post! What editing have I done?

SpaceAce

Mplayer plays WMF files and a shitload more!

What version of MPlayer? If you look at my desktop screenshots thread, you'll see I have it on there, but I have never been able to make it play WMV files. I have no problem with other forms of AVI and MPG (including DiVX), but WMV... no luck. My version of mplayer was current as of ~3 weeks ago.

SpaceAce

popcorn anybody ?


*puff* *puff* pass