SitePoint.com

j3ph · Aug 14, 2008, 15:13

I want to start offering video content on my website. I'm using the FLV Player from http://www.jeroenwijering.com.

We currently host our server in house with a T1 line for internet access.

My question is:
If I were to place the video files on a different server outside of our network and have the video player inside our network, am I actually saving bandwidth or doubling it?

Am I better off to have both the player and the flv file on the outside server?

developr · Sep 5, 2008, 10:06

You will be saving bandwidth on your local connection, but consuming it on your new server. Since you will be using a full http url to the videos from your player, the videos will come from the outside server only.

I would highly recommend that you not host them in-house since if you plan to offer decent quality videos (500kbps - 1000kbps data rates), then your connection will not be sufficient for more than 3-5 simultaneous users watching videos. Also, any users watching videos will dramatically slow your internet speed.

Unless you can afford a good server, you might even consider using a service like Vimeo to host your videos.

j3ph · Sep 5, 2008, 14:30

Thanks for the input. It seems hosting video content is more involved then I thought. My only problem with using a video network such as vimeo or youtube is I'm pushing their brand, not my own.

Do you have any suggestions on a better way to get this done?

developr · Sep 7, 2008, 00:19

What is the nature of your videos that you are offering?

j3ph · Sep 7, 2008, 11:02

We are focusing on local news content. High school sports interviews, etc.

developr · Sep 7, 2008, 21:48

Unless you are looking to establish your site as a video sharing site, then you will be ok using Vimeo. Just make sure you watermark your videos and put a link to your site in your profile and in the description/credits for each video. Vimeo will let you upload actual HD 720p content.

If you really want to host yourself, what is your monthly budget for server and bandwidth?

Musicbox · Sep 19, 2008, 09:33

buy a hosting package from good hosting company so you never have any problems on your server.

stevewebdev2005 · Sep 19, 2008, 10:27

phpmotion is free and better than zainu

Aug 14, 2008, 15:13	#1
j3ph SitePoint Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 90	Video File Storage Question I want to start offering video content on my website. I'm using the FLV Player from http://www.jeroenwijering.com. We currently host our server in house with a T1 line for internet access. My question is: If I were to place the video files on a different server outside of our network and have the video player inside our network, am I actually saving bandwidth or doubling it? Am I better off to have both the player and the flv file on the outside server?

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Sep 5, 2008, 10:06	#2
developr SitePoint Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7	You will be saving bandwidth on your local connection, but consuming it on your new server. Since you will be using a full http url to the videos from your player, the videos will come from the outside server only. I would highly recommend that you not host them in-house since if you plan to offer decent quality videos (500kbps - 1000kbps data rates), then your connection will not be sufficient for more than 3-5 simultaneous users watching videos. Also, any users watching videos will dramatically slow your internet speed. Unless you can afford a good server, you might even consider using a service like Vimeo to host your videos.

Sep 5, 2008, 14:30	#3
j3ph SitePoint Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 90	Thanks for the input. It seems hosting video content is more involved then I thought. My only problem with using a video network such as vimeo or youtube is I'm pushing their brand, not my own. Do you have any suggestions on a better way to get this done?

Sep 7, 2008, 00:19	#4
developr SitePoint Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7	What is the nature of your videos that you are offering?

Sep 7, 2008, 11:02	#5
j3ph SitePoint Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 90	We are focusing on local news content. High school sports interviews, etc.

Sep 7, 2008, 21:48	#6
developr SitePoint Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7	Unless you are looking to establish your site as a video sharing site, then you will be ok using Vimeo. Just make sure you watermark your videos and put a link to your site in your profile and in the description/credits for each video. Vimeo will let you upload actual HD 720p content. If you really want to host yourself, what is your monthly budget for server and bandwidth?

Sep 19, 2008, 09:33	#7
Musicbox SitePoint Wizard Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: india Posts: 1,147	buy a hosting package from good hosting company so you never have any problems on your server.

Sep 19, 2008, 10:27	#8
stevewebdev2005 SitePoint Guru Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Posts: 623	phpmotion is free and better than zainu