Mobile Device Encoding
by John LeBlanc
on
Nov 29, 2008 at 3:56:09 pm
I'm trying to give web visitors a simple, "all in one" method to download a video to their mobile device so the video can be played from the viewer's mobile device.
I envision a single button/link that would download the video from the web to the viewer's desktop or mobile device. A single button may not be viable, as I understand there are multiple encoded formats for mobile devices.
How many encoded formats are there to cover mobile phones, for example?
I know that Apple uses m4v. Is there only one other encoding format that would cover most mobile phones? So, perhaps I could get away with offering two options -- Apple (iPod and iPHone) and all other mobile devices?
Here is how Apple offers a video download to iPod/iPhone for a product demo of its new MacBook:
The encoded version is wrapped in a zipit file, so that when you click the link, it downloads the file straight to your desktop, and then I suppose the viewer must manually move it from the desktop to the iTunes storage folder.
Re: Mobile Device Encoding by Daniel Low on Nov 29, 2008 at 6:40:18 pm
The three main formats in use are:
MPEG-4 3GP, WMV and MPEG4 M4V
You'll need to have three buttons ideally and transferring formats other than by using Apples methods can be frustrating at best and impossible at worse (i.e. the phone operators have locked out that functionality)
I've witnessed people/companies go bankrupt trying to make this process simple for everyone.
__________________________________________________________________
Please post back saying what solved your problem. It could help others, and saying 'thanks' is free!
Re: Mobile Device Encoding by John LeBlanc on Nov 29, 2008 at 6:57:06 pm
Thanks.
Let me change the equation, then.
If I wanted to make the video/web page accessible to all mobile device users, would I encode the video in all four formats and offer four different buttons on the web page -- delivering the files via standard HTTP progressive download -- and would a mobile device user be able to navigate that page and play one of the videos from a mobile device?
For example, this site seems to be doing something similar under its "download" button under the video:
It has options for QT, HD, WMV, WMV-hires, 3gp, 3gp-sm, and PSP. These appear to be downloads which I guess can be downloaded right to the device, right -- and not downloaded to a desktop and then transferred over?
How does a person with a mobile device access those buttons and watch that video?
Incidentally, what is "3gp-sm" and "psp"? Can you encode for those formats using the latest Sorenson Squeeze?
Are there any formats for mobile devices not listed by these guys?
Re: Mobile Device Encoding by Daniel Low on Nov 29, 2008 at 10:27:00 pm
"If I wanted to make the video/web page accessible to all mobile device users, would I encode the video in all four formats and offer four different buttons on the web page -- delivering the files via standard HTTP progressive download"
Yes
"- and would a mobile device user be able to navigate that page and play one of the videos from a mobile device? "
Not in all cases
"It has options for QT, HD, WMV, WMV-hires, 3gp, 3gp-sm, and PSP. These appear to be downloads which I guess can be downloaded right to the device, right -- and not downloaded to a desktop and then transferred over"
Direct to mobile downloads are very difficult to achieve due to many factors (Bandwidth, Networks, operator lockout, compatibility etc)
"How does a person with a mobile device access those buttons and watch that video? "
Don't enter into something like this unless you have a full 'experience' with each of the devices you are targeting. It's totally different process with each device.
Incidentally, what is "3gp-sm" and "psp"? Can you encode for those formats using the latest Sorenson Squeeze?
3gp-sm = Third generation partnership (3gp) small (sm)
psp = PlayStation Portable
Squeeze can do both but you'll need to know what you are doing to get it right, and good looking.
__________________________________________________________________
Please post back saying what solved your problem. It could help others, and saying 'thanks' is free!
