Digital Workshop

I'm working for a client in China.

I've produced a multimedia, with some video clips. These are currently wmvs.

He's downloaded a version that he's delighted with - all plays perfectly on his laptop.

Now he wants to allow clients to download a version.

At the moment, it's a zip file, containing the .exe and a videos folder containing the clips.

However, some of his clients are struggling with the zip file (don't ask) so I was thinking about embedding the videos.

According to the help, they have to be mpg or avi to embed.

I tested with mpg2, but got a black screen.

Mpg1 is too restrictive (small size) while an avi is going to be huge.

Can anyone think of another solution, either

> Embedding the videos in a different way

> Allowing for download of the .exe and video folder, without zipping it up

...

Or, are zip files really common enough that he should force his client to work it out?

Thanks, Linda

Linda --

It's good to hear from you. I've missed your posts. I would suggest NOT including the videos, but rather upload them to a PRIVATE status on YouTube. They then would just be an Internet link in your OPUS presentation, so they'd not take up space like any kind of video file. You'd also have all the VCR type controls (Pause, Volume, Play, etc). YouTube allows high def videos, so the quality could be quite good. When you select a PRIVATE upload with YouTube, only someone with the exact URL is able to see your video. There is also a similar video sharing website called Vimeo.com. Having the videos already on the web would allow for use of them in your client's website also.

Zip files are part of windows since XP! Though having said that, I have a client who suggest to comprehended the idea of extracting the files and tries to open the ZIP and run the executable. This would until it needs another resource in the ZIP.

You have a lots of points and many possible answers. Have you read our scribble on videos?

http://www.live.interaktiv.co.uk/index. ... Itemid=166

Anything beyond MPG1 or WMV will not play without an additional decoder on XP.

Also, could you provide the publication as an installer?

Mack

Publication as an installer... Can you explain? Thanks

You package everything up as it it were an application - just like install Photoshop or Excel. An install is normally an EXE or MSI file that contains all files such as the publication (exe) and resources.

The program used to create the installation will allow you to specify various settings from the install path, to custom add and remove icons, etc, etc.

Opus includes a very basic one - tools > distribution wizard.

There are also free applications such as Advanced Installer. We use the professional version of this because some of our clients need more advanced install routines - such as prerequisites. But free version is very powerful.

http://www.advancedinstaller.com/

Have a look or drop me a line and and can explain more.

Regards,

Mack

Hi Mack, what did you use to create the SWF file of the videos? I just use Camtasia and it created a 900MB swf file for a 1 minute clip.

Thanks

Hi LMC,

I think it was AVS Video Convertor, though the program is not necessarily the reason you have a large file. I haven't used Cam for a while, but I have created casts from it in the past and the SWFs were all of a reasonable size.

What settings are you using?

Mack