1. Lawrence L

    Freelance Web Consultant at architxt.net

    18 July 2007 14:33pm

    Lawrence L

    At the moment we offer video streams in Windows Media and Real Media formats, hosting two versions for each to ensure that people with slow connections can access them too.

    I'm wondering whether Flash would be a better option in terms of reach and delivery. Are more people likely to have Flash installed than Windows Media Players + Real Players + QuickTime players? How effectively does Flash deliver video to people on 56K modems?

    Any info much appreciated.

    PS We already work with a streaming media company so we're not looking for a host or video production services.

  2. Matt Chocqueel-Mangan

    Projects Director at Orangutan Studio

    18 July 2007 18:02pm

    Matt Chocqueel-Mangan

    Hi Loz,
    In response to the Flash/Windows Media (WMV) conundrum, common statistics will tell you that the flash plug-in is in the lead with almost 98% reach. However I'd be cautious before making any changes. We demo-ed Flash and WMV for a client's video-based (heavily corporate B2B) website, surveying a group of target users. We found that almost 35% users couldn't see the flash video pages, whereas WMV worked for all. Surprising...

    Flash has many benefits over other video formats and would certainly be my recommendation for home / B2C audiences, but the lesson I learned was that testing is essential before jumping to any stats-based conclusions!

    Hope this helps.

  3. Lawrence L

    Freelance Web Consultant at architxt.net

    19 July 2007 09:19am

    Lawrence L

    Thanks for the feedback, Matt.

    I found out that Flash video requires a fairly recent version of the plug-in -- perhaps this was the problem with your users?

    We operate in countries in cental/eastern Europe and central Asia where many people do not access to fast internet connections and the latest technologies. Flash might not be such a good idea afterall.

  4. Angus Norriss

    UK/Ireland Digital Lead (Nokia) at Wunderman/Blast Radius

    24 July 2007 15:43pm

    Angus Norriss

    Hi - we developed all videos in flash as progressive flvs because we found that windows took ages to buffer and was not reliable for a seamless experience. We trialled quicktime vs windwows vs flash and flash was far superior. All videos played well in flash 7 player which has over 96% penetration wolrdwide.

    On 09:19:43 19 July 2007 Loz wrote:

    Thanks for the feedback, Matt.

    I found out that Flash video requires a fairly recent version of the plug-in -- perhaps this was the problem with your users?

    We operate in countries in cental/eastern Europe and central Asia where many people do not access to fast internet connections and the latest technologies. Flash might not be such a good idea afterall.

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