About Video Upload

About Video Upload

This guide explains the different ways to upload videos to your AVideo platform.

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Quick Guide: Which Upload Method Should I Use?

I want to...	Use this method
Upload a video file from my computer	Encode video (recommended)
Upload without waiting for encoding	Direct MP4 upload
Share a video from YouTube/Vimeo	Embed video link
Use external software	Third-party upload

💡 Not sure? Use Encode video—it works best for most users and ensures your video plays correctly on all devices.

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How to Upload a Video (Recommended Method)

Follow these simple steps to upload your first video using the encoder:

Step 1: Click the Camera Icon

Look for the camera icon in the top right corner of the navigation bar and click it.

[Screenshot: Camera icon location in navbar]

Step 2: Select "Encode Video and Audio"

From the dropdown menu, choose "Encode video and audio".

[Screenshot: Upload menu with Encode option highlighted]

Step 3: Choose Your File

Click "Select File" or "Choose File" and pick the video from your computer.

[Screenshot: File selection dialog]

Step 4: Fill in Title and Description

• Title: Give your video a clear, descriptive name
• Description: Tell viewers what your video is about
• Category: Choose the best category for your content
• Tags: Add keywords to help people find your video

[Screenshot: Video details form]

Step 5: Click Upload

Click the "Upload" or "Submit" button to start the process.

[Screenshot: Upload button]

Step 6: Wait for Encoding to Complete

Your video will be processed automatically. This may take a few minutes depending on the file size. You'll see a progress indicator, and you'll be notified when it's ready.

[Screenshot: Encoding progress]

⏱️ How long does encoding take? A 10-minute video typically takes 5-15 minutes to encode, depending on your server's processing power.

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Upload Methods Overview

AVideo offers 4 ways to add videos:

1. Encode video and audio ✅ (recommended)
2. Upload an MP4 or WebM video directly
3. Embed a video link (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)
4. From Third-party applications (Instructions)

*Options 1-3 can be enabled/disabled in the CustomizeAdvanced plugin

To find these options, click on the Camera Icon in the top right of the navbar.

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Detailed Comparison: Pros and Cons

AVideo offers multiple methods for users to include video content on their platform. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these can help users make the most informed decision based on their needs and resources.

1. Encode Video and Audio (recommended)

Pros:

• Full Control: You have complete control over video access and availability.
• Customization: Allows for potential customization of video quality, format, and other encoding parameters.
• Optimized Playback: Encoded files ensure correct codec usage for optimal web playback and device compatibility.

Cons:

• Hosting Costs: Since you're self-hosting, there are costs associated with storage and bandwidth.
• Resource Intensive: Encoding is time-consuming and can heavily consume CPU resources.

2. Upload an MP4 or WebM Video

Pros:

• Immediate Availability: No need to wait for encoding; videos are available as soon as they're uploaded.
• Full Control: You have control over video access and availability.
• Resource Savings: No CPU-intensive encoding process is needed.

Cons:

• Hosting Costs: Hosting MP4 or WebM files means you'll be paying for the storage and bandwidth.
• Potential Compatibility Issues: Direct uploads do not guarantee the use of the correct codec. This can result in playback issues on some devices or browsers.

3. Embed a Video Link

Pros:

• Cost-Efficient: In most cases, you won't need to pay for storage or bandwidth since the video is hosted externally.
• Quick Integration: Embedding is quick and doesn't require encoding, saving time and CPU resources.

Cons:

• Dependent on External Sources: You don't have control over video access and availability. If the external source removes or alters the video, your embedded link will be affected.
• Potential Limitations: Some platforms might have restrictions on embedded content, like playback limits or ads.

Additional Considerations:

• Embedding TV Channel Video Links: Beyond embedding standard video links, it's also possible to embed a TV channel video link. This usually refers to a 24/7 live link streaming a TV channel, providing continuous content. It's essential to ensure that such a link is stable and from a reliable source since it impacts the continuous viewing experience.
• Electronic Program Guide (EPG) XML Link: Accompanying the video link, you can also embed an EPG XML link, following the XMLTV Format (https://wiki.xmltv.org/index.php/XMLTVFormat). This provides viewers with a schedule or program guide, enhancing the viewing experience by letting them know what content is currently playing and what's coming up next.
• Source of TV Link and EPG: It's important to note that AVideo does not create the TV link or the EPG. These must be provided by a third-party company. When selecting a provider, consider reliability, quality of service, and compatibility with your embedding requirements.

Remember, the choice between encoding, direct uploads, or embedding largely depends on specific needs and available resources. Making an informed decision will ensure the best viewer experience.

Other formats

We also support you to submit, PDFs, Images (GIF, PNG, JPG, Webp), and MP3 files.

Also instead of submitting files, you can use the Article option so you can directly edit the text in the videos manager area, and this content will be displayed as a video.

Who can Upload

1. Only Admin
2. Admin and Any authenticated User
3. Only Admin and selected users

By default, only Admin can upload videos. However, in the site configuration menu, there is an option to allow any authenticated user to upload videos. If this option is enabled, regular users who have permission to upload videos will have their own channel and can manage their own videos. Admins, on the other hand, can manage all the videos on the site.

Alternatively, you can disable this option and select only the user(s) you want to allow to upload videos. To do this, go to the Admin Menu -> Users and mark the option to let them upload videos.

Give upload permission manually

Information

Always give preference to using the encoder.

With the encoder you will have different resolutions of the video, the initial image (poster) and animated GIF will be extracted automatically. in addition to the encoder, we will ensure that your MP4 file uses the correct codec.

Direct Upload

The direct upload of an MP4 file does not guarantee that you are using a codec compatible with the current browsers and you will only have the resolution sent from the file, is very common to see directly uploaded files fail on some devices like mobile or in some browsers.

Enable Direct File Upload

If you are sure you want to directly upload your own MP4 files you can enable it by unchecking the doNotShowUploadMP4Button on the customizeAdvanced plugin

Resolutions

Automatic Resolutions (Default and Recommended)

With the automatic HLS encoding activated, AVideo will automatically convert your video to the following resolutions:

Resolution	Best for	Information
2160p (4K) 🎬	High-end devices, large screens	Ultra-high definition, most detailed and clear video
1440p (2K) 🎬	Gaming and VR videos, professional settings	High definition, very detailed and sharp video
1080p (FHD) 🎬	General videos, streaming services	Full high definition, clear and detailed video
720p (HD) 🎬	Online videos, embedded videos	High definition, good for smaller screens
540p 📺	Online videos, mobile devices	Standard definition, reasonable quality for smaller screens
480p 📺	Online videos, low bandwidth connections	Standard definition, lower quality video
360p 📺	Older devices, low bandwidth connections	Low definition, can appear pixelated on larger screens
240p 📺	Very old devices, extremely low bandwidth connections	Very low definition, very pixelated video

Why Use Automatic Resolutions

Enabling automatic resolutions is strongly recommended as it optimizes video accessibility and resource efficiency. This feature ensures videos are available in multiple resolutions (e.g., 720p, 480p, 360p, 240p), allowing seamless playback across a wide range of devices and network conditions.

For example, if a 720p video is uploaded, automatic encoding will generate lower-resolution versions such as 480p, 360p, and 240p. Crucially, this process avoids unnecessary upscaling to higher resolutions, which would not enhance the video quality and would waste storage and bandwidth resources.

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Why Use Automatic Resolutions

Enabling automatic resolutions is critical for ensuring that your videos are accessible across various devices and network conditions while optimizing resource usage. When videos are uploaded in standard formats, AVideo automatically generates additional resolutions (if enabled), ensuring compatibility and providing viewers with multiple quality options.

Important Notes on Uploading Video Resolutions

1. Using Standard Formats

   • If you upload a video in a standard resolution (e.g., 720p), AVideo will encode it into 720p, 480p, 360p, and 240p (if enabled). This ensures all common formats are covered.
   • Standard formats maximize the use of automatic resolution encoding and provide optimal playback compatibility.

2. Uploading Non-Standard Formats

   • If you upload a video in a non-standard resolution (e.g., 718p), AVideo will skip the closest higher resolution (e.g., 720p) and only generate lower resolutions such as 480p, 360p, and 240p (if enabled).
   • This limitation can lead to missed opportunities for higher-quality playback at the intended resolution and may confuse users expecting standard options.

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Disabling Automatic Resolutions

While it is possible to disable automatic resolutions, doing so is not recommended. Disabling this feature can lead to:

• Upscaling Inefficiencies: If higher resolutions are manually enabled, non-standard videos may be upscaled to resolutions like 720p or 1080p, resulting in:
  • No Quality Improvement: The video quality remains limited to the original file.
  • Resource Wastage: Upscaling consumes additional CPU, storage, and bandwidth unnecessarily.

How to Disable Automatic Resolutions

1. Uncheck showOnlyEncoderAutomaticResolutions in the CustomizeAdvanced plugin.
2. To disable specific resolutions selectively:
   • doNotShowEncoderResolutionLow: Disables 360p.
   • doNotShowEncoderResolutionSD: Disables 540p.
   • doNotShowEncoderResolutionHD: Disables 720p.

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Recommendations

1. Always Upload Standard Formats

   • To take full advantage of AVideo's automatic encoding, ensure videos are uploaded in standard resolutions (e.g., 720p, 1080p).
   • Avoid non-standard resolutions (e.g., 718p) to prevent skipped or incomplete resolution options.

2. Keep Automatic Resolutions Enabled

   • Automatic encoding ensures compatibility across devices, optimizes resources, and provides viewers with multiple playback quality options.

3. Avoid Upscaling

   • Do not rely on upscaling, as it increases processing and storage demands without improving video quality.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can maintain a high level of efficiency and provide a seamless user experience on your platform.

Video Format

MP4

MP4 is the most compatible format. To switch resolutions on this format, you will need the VideoResolutionSwitcher plugin which can be purchased on the Marketplace.

In some cases, the MP4 format will be necessary.

Storage

MP4 format can be used with all types of storage including Local, FTP, S3, B2, and YPTStorage.

HLS (Recommended)

HLS is the most secure and modern format that prevents video download (DRM). It also offers adaptive bitrate features that help you avoid video buffering while watching. To enable this format, you will need the VideoHLS Plugin.

However, please note that screen capture cannot be prevented.

Storage

Because the HLS format can generate thousands of small files, the storage type is limited to Local, YPTStorage, and CDN storage (Recommended). We recommend using a storage option that supports the HLS format, as other storage types may not be able to handle the large number of files generated.

Limitations

RAM Memory

The script has a calculation that limits your maximum file size to only 50% of your RAM memory because the script needs to copy files between locations and handle them on virtual memory.

For example, if you want to upload a 4GB file, you will need at least 8GB of RAM on the server, otherwise, you will receive a Memory Leaks - Allowed memory size of # bytes exhausted error.