Youtube vid question

[spaceboy]

Any ideas why my videos get degraded video quality and delayed audio when posting to youtube?  They are WMV files and look and play fine on the PC.  I can see the video degrade maybe because the screen on youtube is larger then when I play the WMV so it is "stretching" it.  I just don't get why the audio is coming through at a good click behind where it should be.

Here is an example.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VOUYGWuvN4

I'll try recording in AVI (I think that was my only other option).

Thanks for any suggestions.

[PZ]

Not sure, but it is probably something to do with their compression to save file size and bandwidth.  I haven't seen it yet, but will do so shortly.  On a related note, I'm exploring MS Silverlight for video - saw it used on the NBCOlympics site and the video quality is amazing.  Will keep everyone informed as to progress (or lack thereof).

[PZ]

Check this out... I posted spaceboy's video link into our Media Gallery, and this is what it allows us to do: embed the off-site video right into our posts.

Cool, spaceboy... really cool - thanks to you and jrderntl for getting this started.

The best part.... when the links are posted in our media gallery and you paste the media gallery link into a forum post, you never need to leave the site to watch the video...

[smg id=4 type=av]

[PZ]

Spaceboy's other video...
[smg id=6 type=av]

[PZ]

Just watched the whole video spaceboy, I specially liked the part where you ran over the merc while leaving town... got a good laugh out of that one!

Man, this open up a whole new experience to the forums - watching the video (despite the rather fuzzy appearance) is absolutely marvelous - can't wait to see more action!

[spaceboy]

Yeah, it looks like I swerve to miss him kind of, but I'm swerving after hitting him to avoid the car.  you can hear his belated "aaarghhh".  Glad you liked it.  More mayhem to come...

[spearhead_22]

Hi spaceboy, great video.

I think, no matter how good the quality of your original video is, when you upload to Youtube, the quality degrades...specially .wmv files. You can try uploading a .mov file or a .avi file to see if the quality's a bit better. But there's some option to upload the files as a HD video, and can be viewed as a HD video as well.

I have made a video to show how Enemy AI tries to help his wounded partner to get into cover when being shot. The devs have really worked on the AI.

[smg id=7 type=av]

If this one works, I am gonna make a lot more videos with which our members as well as Far Cry 2 fans can benefit from.

[PZ]

Worked great spearhead_22, and you obviously found out where to get the code!  The quality of the video is fairly good, and I like the sound effects.  Spaceboy's video had music, and that was entertaining when on the missions, but in the tutorial videos like you're creating, you don't really need the music.  Wouldn't it be cool to narrate the video with audio instructions!

Great job guys.

[spearhead_22]

Yeah, that can be done. I think it's a good idea to have tutorials explained. Next time I make a tutorial, I'll explain the stuff.  :)

[spaceboy]

Excellent video spearhead, can't wait for more.  The resolution is great and no sound delay like mine.  What was the format you uploaded?

[PZ]

Keep the original video too so when we finally get the bugs worked out, we can directly post here and not need to worry about YouTube deleting video.

Great new about being able to narrate by the way...

[spearhead_22]

Thanks, spaceboy. I uploaded a .mov file.

Here's what I did.....

1. I recorded the video using FRAPS.
    Settings used: Full Size, 30 fps
                        Record Sound - Detect best sound input
Results: The recorded video was in .avi format and the file size was 402 MB

2. I used Xilisoft Video Converter Ultimate to compress the 402 MB .avi file
    Settings used: Video Size - 640x480
                        Video Quality - Highest
                        Audio Quality - Highest
                        Subtitle - None
                        Split - No Split
                        Profile (Save As..) - MOV - Quicktime (*.mov)

Result: A 10.9 MB .mov file

3. Uploaded it to youtube.

[spaceboy]

Thanks spearhead, well my recorder can make AVI files - I had no idea they were that large  :o
I don't suppose the Xilisoft software is another sweet free thing you know about...I'll check into it.  It's just a shame to have little things like audio off or bad resolution.

EDIT:  just checked out the website, looks like I could get away with the std version for $36.  I'll dl the free trial tonight.  thanks for the info.

[spaceboy]

Spearhead, I used the xilisoft software to convert my WMV files to MOV.  I posted two of them.  My Unimog vid kind of sucks so I may re-record (I did not post it).  The video is still crappy but the audio is aligned now so thanks so much for the recommendation.  I need to try a better source file to improve the video, I'll check the settings tomorrow.

Really, thanks so much for your help.

[spearhead_22]

You are welcome, spaceboy.

Unfortunately, Xilisoft Video Converter is not a freeware. But it's worth the $36 it's being charged. I guess the trial version would have usage limitations.

[spaceboy]

the trial was odd as it allowed up to 5 min. of video but anything under 5 it only converted half  ???   Anyway, I went full fledged with the Ultimate for another $20 that way maybe I can edit and crop stuff if I get that fancy.