Vol. 2, No. 23
TODAY'S LESSON: Web Video

Last month, Handcrafted showed you how to add some multimedia action to your site with Flash. Now it's time to go full-bore and bring video into the mix.

There are lots of reasons to create videos for your website. Number one, it's a lot easier than it used to be, and even artistically deprived folks can hold a camera still.

Number two, it will give you an easy way to share home movies or creative projects with your family and friends.

And number three, people love to watch videos. Remember that "America's Funniest Home Videos" show? Pretty dumb, right? Ya, so dumb it lasted about five years in prime time.

>>> Video Basics <<<

When you prepare digital video files for broadcasting over the Web, there are some tools that you will need to help you along. And don't despair if you're on a budget. Apple has an excellent array of programs that you can use for simple video projects, and they all hinge on QuickTime.

"QuickTime 5"
You need some new tools if you want to bring your video to the Web. This QuickTime 5 article will describe the tools you'll need, the creative possibilities, and how to best deliver a project to your intended audience.

"Streaming Video"
You have two choices if you want to show videos from a website: download or streaming. Posting for download is pretty straightforward, but setting up a streaming video is a bit trickier.

"Hosted Video"
If you create a QuickTime movie and don't want to host it on your own website, try submitting it to an online film site where someone else will do the work.

>>> Video Killed the Radio Star <<<

Aside from the sheer joy you will experience from putting video on your site, it could also become a boon for your traffic. Heck, you might even impress your boss if you come up with a good idea for a video application in your business. If you're your own boss, all the better.

"Keep 'em Coming Back"
The best way to keep visitors coming back is to give them something to come back for.

"Video Presentations"
Creating videos isn't just for the creative crowd. There are plenty of business cases to make for video and interactive presentations. Here are just a few.

"Videowidth"
Don't get carried away when you're putting video on your site. Make sure users with both slow and fast connections will be able to download or stream your footage.

1. Streaming and interactive videos cause people to stay on your site longer. People who watch streaming video spend 80 percent more time online than their non-video viewing brethren, and they regularly purchase goods online.

2. There are two main types of streaming: progressive streaming (on demand) and real-time streaming (live or in real-time). Progressive streaming takes a compressed video file and downloads it to your hard drive via HTTP over the Internet. Real-time streaming is usually broadcast to your browser directly from a server.

3. Winterized your car yet this year? If not, get those scarves wrapped around the bumper and ear muffs around the rear windows ASAP.

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