 Help - Playing Videos
Help - Making Videos
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HomeClips is a video movie site. By the time you've decided to read this document, you're probably aware of this.
To view video clips on HomeClips, your browser must have a way to show the video clips. No browser has this ability "Built In", they rely on "plugins" to handle playing videos. In many cases, your browser already has the proper plugins installed. They frequently come with them already installed for your convenience.
In this document we'll discuss the video clip types that are shown on HomeClips, how they play different systems, how to make your browser play them if the plugin is incorrectly installed or missing.
We don't use any browser-specific coding, so the instructions below should apply to any browser (Netscape, MSIE, Opera, etc) If you should find an exception to this, please let us know at webmaster@homeclips.com
AOL Users, these same instructions apply to you.
WebTV Users, Please see the WebTV section below.
Tips From The Webmaster
Media players need to be configured to play different compression types or file extensions. The way to accomplish this task is to Go to "options" or "preferences" on each player and set them appropriately. Carefully go thru each item and check them to make very sure you are playing the right extension on the movie file. "mov" 'mpeg' 'avis' etc. Most of our clips have been converted to the mpeg (Motion Pictures Experts Group) format and will play on the Micro-soft Media or Quicktime Player which is part of the Windows or Mac Software
But if you are running a MACINTOSH You might want the latest Quicktime player, which is easily downloaded from their site @ www.quicktime.com ...While there, be sure to check for plugins to be able to play more than just one file type. Also the browser you are using is also very important. Use "Explorer" with "Macs" Netscape is not configured for "Quicktime" mpeg videos you may also want to download the RealplayerG2 from their site: www.real.com.
I don't take any chances ....I have them all. To me, "More is better". Go ahead and download the various plugins that will enable you to play the different formats. Also make sure the settings are correct in the programmable options.
"Remember its not what you see at Voyeurweb that makes us so great, its what others see of you." Keep those video clips coming.
Sincerely, Manny Audio/Video Correspondence
Technical Help: Webmaster@HomeClips.com
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Windows (95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP)
MPEG video clips on Windows platforms will play in Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player has been included with the Microsoft Windows Operating System since Windows 95, and has been available to be updated automatically at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com for years.
We send specific instructions to the browser to play using this player. There's no reason this plugin type should ever be changed away from Windows Media Player (the type application/x-mplayer2 is specifically for Windows Media Player), but in some cases it has been.
To fix it, simply download Windows Media Player.
The current link to actually download Windows Media Player at this time is located here.
MacOS (OS 9, OS X)
- Tested MacOS Browsers: Internet Explorer 5.1.3
- Netscape 4.7.9, 6.2.1
- Opera 5.0
- OmniWeb 4.0.6
General MacOS Plug-ins Note:
As a general rule, when installing a new browser, you'll need to make sure the browser has access to any plug-ins you use. MacOS 9 typically keeps these in a centrally located "Internet Plugins" folder within the "System" folder. Some browsers, however, require plug-ins to be in the browsers own application folder. An update or re-install of the media player itself is a quick fix for those not comfortable moving plug-ins manually.
MacOS Quicktime Note:
For Mac users, we sent a generic type of media/mpeg. This should open in QuickTime, which is your native media player. If it should fail to open, you can update it from Apple Quicktime We are aware of some systems crashing Internet Explorer while playing Quicktime plug-ins. This is something that we cannot reproduce consistently, we can only recommend using a different browser or using the "Links" display method & having the video play via the Quicktime Player itself.
MacOS RealMedia Note:
If selecting RealMedia content for video viewing, the file will now download fully & open the RealPlayer application itself to play. For more info: RealPlayer Browser Configuration
Unix
For Unix users, we send a generic type of media/mpeg. If your browser of choice doesn't come with a plugin, you should be able to find one available. The Netscape Plugin Search Page suggests using Plugger, which is available for Linux, Solaris7, Solaris8, HP-UX11, and IRIX 6.5 Source code is also available for compiling on other Unix platforms. Plugger is reported to work with the Unix versions of Netscape, Mozilla, and Opera.
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Real.com, the source for all "RealMedia" software, has plugins for all platforms. They have a version of RealPlayer which is a pay product, which they would appreciate you buying. This is not necessary though. Click here to get their free version of RealPlayer 8 Basic. It's available for Windows(95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP), MAC(OS/8 and up), Linux(x86/Alpha/Sparc/PPC), IRIX, AIX, Solaris(Sparc), HP-UX, and Unixware. We are not aware of any 3rd party players for Real at this time.
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Some people have commented regarding our use (or lack of) of other formats, such as the proprietary Windows Media format. As you can see from reading through this document, we need to support a lot of different viewers on a lot of different platforms. The two formats we have chosen work on virtually every platform that is in current use. The MPEG clips are an open format, which any platform should be able to find a plugin to use. Real is widely supported, and is included with Netscape. When HomeClips first launched a few years ago, we experemented with many of the video types, using your feedback to decide which ones to use. It's very possible that we'll add new formats in the future, as new technology is available.
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You can still see the video clips using whatever your machine may think is it's native player, even if your browser doesn't want to show it in our formatted window. Simply click the link of the type you'd like to see (MPEG or Real), then when it opens the window that should show the video, Left Click the link that says "Right Click Here to save... ". This will try to play the clip in whatever you have associated with that media type. Even if you have some completely obscure media player that we coudn't possibly know, it *should* start playing.
Your other option is to save. Right Click on the link that says Right click Here to save..., save it, then open it in the player of your choice. If you already have a media player that you're that dedicated to, you should have been able to figure this out.
The Legacy Method (posted by Guru)
For those who liked the old method which spawned an external player and/or saved the media file, please use the following method:
- Left click the clip for Media Player or Real Player, whichever you choose.
- In the pop up window, right click and begin the file download.
- Press stop (the big red cross) up on the browser window.
- Make sure that the video has stopped downloading to the popup window before you try to close that window (ie the mouse pointer returns from hourglass to pointer) otherwise the popup page gets stuck requiring a restart of IE. Close the popup window.
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We're aware that there are other platforms out there, such as WebTV, which may or may not support the video clips provided on this site. If you are not using a regular computer (i.e., a set-top box), you should call your service provider and ask if you'll be able to play Real or MPEG Video Clips that are several Mb in size.
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For those interested in making and producing your very own naughty "mpeg" (Motion Picture Experts Group) movies. It couldn't be simpler. Of course you will need a video camera and at the links provided below, you will find the different video capture software solutions for "usb" and "parallel port" interface that you will need. From one of my favorite companys, The "Dazzle Video Creator" is by far the best and easiest way I have found in producing digital ".mpeg" video clips or video stills. Mpeg uses state of the art technology for compressing raw video directly from either your vcr or video camera into manageable digital video files. Although ".avi" files are very good, in order to maintain the same video quality the ultimate file size is rather large. The Dazzle Hardware provides you with the capability compressing and maintaining video quality at a reasonable, manageable file size. Provided are both the analog "Rca composite" and the "Hi band Svhs" inputs. Moreover since it connects to your scanner or "parallel port" or for those who have "Usb" ports, there is also a version for that interface as well. There is no need to open your PC to get started.
You can capture in 3 different compression sizes. You can also capture and make audio files in the ".wav" format. There also an input for a microphone. There are color, brightness and various other adjustments you can make to your finished masterpiece. The "Dazzle" also gives you the option of sending your edited version back to videotape. You can Assign a file size limit to your video clips, so that they will all be the same. In addition you can email them right from the software or create web pages. It also gives you the capability of converting them to the "Real player" "Rm" format. The Dazzle also comes with 2 other softwares. The Ulead Video Studio version 3, for adding graphics and music files and also a picture editing device called "Photo Express" for cropping and manipulating picture files such as jpegs and bitmaps, also from Ulead. Lastly the price is very, very affordable, all 3 softwares plus the dazzle capture hardware for 150.00. There is also Dazzle Photo maker that will make photos as well as mpegs, this one is the Usb version for Macs and Windows. This one sells for 99.00 but does not have the Svhs input only the normal vhs inputs (prices may vary). As far as availability, you can find them at most Camera, Electronics or Computer stores.
For those of us who love making our own movies, move over Pro Porn Stars,:) this is an exciting and affordable solution.
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Raw Uncompressed video is large in file size and cant be posted at HomeClips, therefore video compression is needed. Digital video input via a firewire is usually Compressed but still at a rate to large for computer applications. The digital format captured is equal to the output needed for NTSC the standard for television viewing in the United States. The actual compression size captured from digital video is 720x480 NTSC audio 32 khz 16 bit Stereo.
If you are capturing thru an analog input these include the recognizable and most common "RCA" standard video and audio jacks or thru the Hi-Band SVHS cable. You will most probably already have the program included with the hardware.
Most capture programs that compress your video files will have different parameter choices. A great many of these programs employ mpeg 1 as their format of choice. "Motion Picture Experts Group" a recognized format, supported by most computer platforms.
If you are capturing thru a Firewire Digital cable the material is compressed and will be in the Avi format but again to large a size and video rate for playback on most Home desktop computers. Ideal however, for editing scenes, adding titles and music. The finished rendition still in its AVI NTSC DV format can then be sent back and recorded to digital or analog video tape. If you intend on using it for any computer application, then this is where the mpeg compression is definitely needed.
Factors to consider in reducing the size of a video file are as follows:
- Size of the actual capture- as in frame size, these are expressed in pixels, small square shaped components that make up the picture. A good enjoyable size would be 320*240
- Color bit size- this is the amount of color quality throughout. There are 2 types "Yuv" and "Rgb" Yuv 24 is the maximum bits per pixel while Rgb 32 is its maximum bit per pixel. By reducing these properties to a lower bit rate, you consequently reduce the video clips size, but accordingly you reduce its color quality. Reductions for Yuv are as follows Yuv-24 Yuv-12 Yuv-9 Reductions in Rgb are Rgb32 Rgb16 Rgb8
- Bitrate per second (both video and audio)- This function affects the amount of info being recorded. The greater the number the better the definition and overall picture and sound quality.
- Actual length of the capture, this deals in realtime minutes and seconds.
- Video Frames Per Second "fps" Video tends to look choppy if this variable is set to low, Real life action moves at 60fps Tv images and video move at 29.9fps, reducing this number to 24fps will greatly reduce the file size while still maintaining fluidity.
Usually capture programs allow you to set the size of the window, the bitrate per second, color bitrate an compression method as in mpeg or avi etc. We prefer you submit them as m-pegs. Although we do accept Avi, Quicktime, Rm, Wmv or any other than can be successfully converted to mpeg and rm files which are the formats of choice for the HomeClips area.
If you decide to submit in the Rm format, please bear in mind that this format can not be reprocessed to add the HomeClips watermark. Therefore we do ask that you include the HomeClips watermark in your rm files. Simply: "Shown At HomeClips.com" This is done in pre-production before you process the final clip in the Rm format.
Bear in mind all of these will reduce the overall quality of the capture but will greatly reduce the file size. Check your manual and find out where your adjustable settings are. If there is no manual available, check to see if they have a website for information regarding your software application.
In the HomeClips video area contributions will now be as large as 5meg. Try to use the 320*240 pixel size, use the 24fps or better but no less than 15, And a overall bitrate of 120 to55 kbs will produce very good videos. Naturally you can experiment with the various options for personal satisfaction, but the most important thing here is to have fun.
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Camel Mpeg Joiner 1.7b
input Formats- Mpg
Will join mpg files regardless of the compression used although it does recommend keeping the compression schemes the same for proper playback. Personal note: the compiled file will not play back as a compiled file will only play the first segment on the Realplayer Dazzle or the Quicktime player. Although the Real Producer will play and convert it as a compiled file. Also so with the MGI VideoWave.
Virtual Dub ver.1.4d (Freeware)
input Formats- avi avs mpg mpeg mpv dat
output Formats- avi wav
TMPG Encoder (Freeware)
input Formats- avi mpeg mpg qt mov asf
output Formats- mpeg mpg
Real Producer G2 (Free Trial)
input Formats- avi mov qt wav au mpg mpeg
output Formats- rm real
Dazzle Video Creator ver.3.6 (Retail)
input Formats- mpg mpeg mpv mp3 mpa dat
output Formats- mpg mpeg mpv wav mpa
Ulead Video Studio ver. 5 (Free Trial)
input Formats- (NOT MP3) avi mov qt gifs mpg mpeg mpv dat wav aiff aif aifc au mp2 flx fli flc
output Formats- avi mpeg1 mpeg2 wav mpa au aiff aif aifc DV videoCd DV videoCd (pal)
MGi Video Wave 4 (Free Trial)
input Formats- avi mpg mpeg1 mpeg2 dat wav mp3 mp2 cda wmf
output Formats- mpeg1 mpeg1 (pal) mpeg2 mpeg2 (pal) wmv avi real DV videoCd DV videoCd (pal)
Windows Media Encoder beta 7 (Freeware)
input Formats- .wav, .wma, .wmv, .asf .avi, .wav (MPEG) .mpg, .mp3 .bmp
output Formats- wmv
http://www.ulead.com/download/download.htm
http://www.ulead.com/vs/features.htm
http://www.dazzle.com/products/select.html
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