It's also great for tutorial-videos:
YouTube - high-quality HD to SD-DVD conversion with FCP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSw9JfVmIpI&fmt=22)

Too bad you can't get the higher quality recording when you embed it - nobody is really helping with that as far as I know. Well, maybe Exposure Room, but certainly YouTube and Vimeo drop the quality on embedded files.

Maybe one of you know of a workaround - love to hear it...

Here is some useful information on embedding options:

http://generalspecialist.com/2008/09/watch-and-embed-youtube-clips-in-high.asp

This was written before HD was an option (last week?), but I would think you could simply replace &fmt=18 with &fmt=22 and achieve the same embedding result, only in HD.

I just threw up this little ditty and I'm stunned at the quality (or maybe my expectations were so low?) Shot with an EX1, of course. Watch it full-screen for best results :)

YouTube - A Day at Big Spring Park in Huntsville, AL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBFi_P9x9C4&fmt=22)

One key advantage to Vimeo is the ability to "replace video" -- to upload a replacement video file without having to recreate the entire page, etc. I really wish that YouTube would add this option.

Success!

Bill, I replaced the URL portions of the embed code with this:

http://www.youtube.com/v/zBFi_P9x9C4&hl=en&fs=1&ap=%2526fmt=22

It embedded great!

I opted for 640x360 for rapid downloads for people, but you have to add 28 pixels to the height for the progress bar, so I changed the dimensions to 640 and 388 in both locations.

This will really help me for a project I'm working on. Of course, in my project, I'll use my own video and not Bills!

This is great news!

HA, cracked it! This was a CBR 2 pass WMV 10mbps. The audio is fine (VBR screws up the audio). I think maybe a little more BR to clear up the compression artifacts.

YouTube - Redline Revolt buggy Dumont Dunes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPqNn6aK3Mc&fmt=22)

This is an HDR SR11 BTW.

HA, cracked it! This was a CBR 2 pass WMV 10mbps. The audio is fine. I think maybe a little more BR to clear up the compression artifacts.

YouTube - Redline Revolt buggy Dumont Dunes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPqNn6aK3Mc&fmt=22)

This is an HDR SR11 BTW.

It seems YouTube have not only caught up with the quality of vimeo and exposure room, they've substantially raised the bar!

I still prefer XR for embedding video because the YT player's functionality is really invasive, but it sure looks good!

YouTube goes HD | Paul Joy (http://www.pauljoy.com/?p=834)

Paul.

You do NOT need to append &fmt=22
They now offer HD as a playback option normally. See my previous post. Depending on what what you've uploaded

Normal or High Quality
Normal or HD


Youtube is now capable of of showing 720p-content. If there's a 720p-version of a particular clip, you have to append &fmt=22 to the url to see it.
Here is an example I shot with my ex1:
YouTube - Filips Diplomkonzert (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXkKe_66hFo&fmt=22)

You do NOT need to append &fmt=22
They now offer HD as a playback option normally. See my previous post. Depending on what what you've uploaded

Normal or High Quality
Normal or HD

True, but Normal is the default and most people I've observed thus far don't notice or don't bother with High Quality or HD option. Normal is so bad, appending the extra tag, either in a link or embedded, insures they watch the version I prefer.

I know you can set local playback preferences for High Quality/HD, but afaik, no way to push it as the default on the YT site (or am I missing something?).

Certainly making me rethink my hosting options as well as for my clients.

actually amazing quality! check it out and be sure to click the link on the bottom of the video screen that says "watch in HD"

YouTube - HD Test *The Dark Knight* 1080p Source (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QmzQDV_tJ0Y)

Some of my videos have been automatically converted and they look absolutely amazing.

ie. YouTube - Canon XHA1 Skateboarding in SLOW MOTION 60fps *HIGH DEFINITION* (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2Huvsv6TMY)

Just remember...

6C. For clarity, you retain all of your ownership rights in your User Submissions. However, by submitting User Submissions to YouTube, you hereby grant YouTube a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform the User Submissions in connection with the YouTube Website and YouTube's (and its successors' and affiliates') business, including without limitation for promoting and redistributing part or all of the YouTube Website (and derivative works thereof) in any media formats and through any media channels. You also hereby grant each user of the YouTube Website a non-exclusive license to access your User Submissions through the Website, and to use, reproduce, distribute, display and perform such User Submissions as permitted through the functionality of the Website and under these Terms of Service. The above licenses granted by you in User Videos terminate within a commercially reasonable time after you remove or delete your User Videos from the YouTube Service. You understand and agree, however, that YouTube may retain, but not display, distribute, or perform, server copies of User Submissions that have been removed or deleted. The above licenses granted by you in User Comments are perpetual and irrevocable.

Just Remember...

6C. For clarity, you retain all of your ownership rights in your User Submissions. However, by submitting User Submissions to YouTube, you hereby grant YouTube a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform the User Submissions in connection with the YouTube Website and YouTube's (and its successors' and affiliates') business, including without limitation for promoting and redistributing part or all of the YouTube Website (and derivative works thereof) in any media formats and through any media channels. You also hereby grant each user of the YouTube Website a non-exclusive license to access your User Submissions through the Website, and to use, reproduce, distribute, display and perform such User Submissions as permitted through the functionality of the Website and under these Terms of Service. The above licenses granted by you in User Videos terminate within a commercially reasonable time after you remove or delete your User Videos from the YouTube Service. You understand and agree, however, that YouTube may retain, but not display, distribute, or perform, server copies of User Submissions that have been removed or deleted. The above licenses granted by you in User Comments are perpetual and irrevocable.

And for Vimeo:

By submitting your Submission to VIMEO, you hereby grant VIMEO and its affiliates, successors and assigns a worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free, sub-licensable (through multiple tiers) and transferable license (with a right to create derivative works) to use, copy, transmit or otherwise distribute, perform, modify, incorporate into other works, publicly perform and display your Submission or any portion thereof, in or through any medium, whether now known or hereafter created. VIMEO shall be entitled to unrestricted use of any Submission for any purpose whatsoever, commercial or otherwise, without compensation to the submitter.

Bill you're right about that. As a viewer mine defaults to HD.

A nice YouTube feature would be to have one's video default to the highest quality rather than the lowest.

As someone presenting stuff to clients I'd always include the HD link and some may want that as part of "discovery" (viral) too.

You can embed the YouTube HD quality. Generally I recommend uploading to their own website directly (I am a compressionist after all) though but not everyone has the time or the ability to do that.

YouTube might be able to make some money (or cut their losses) if you could pay to not have their logo on your site.

True, but Normal is the default and most people I've observed thus far don't notice or don't bother with High Quality or HD option. Normal is so bad, appending the extra tag, either in a link or embedded, insures they watch the version I prefer.

I know you can set local playback preferences for High Quality/HD, but afaik, no way to push it as the default on the YT site (or am I missing something?).

Certainly making me rethink my hosting options as well as for my clients.

In some cases the above is not a bad thing. It depends what you're uploading and why.

If you're doing viral (marketing something) then one might actually WANT them to spread your stuff far and wide.

Keep in mind that one can ALWAYS compress and post stuff to your own site which is what I recommend to my clients. What YouTube offers is viral opportunity in addition to the server space, bandwidth, no need to do your own compression. Vimeo doesn't have the "eyes" to get the viral opportunity nor does it allow commercial posting. B&H, for example, wouldn't have the option of using Vimeo at all.

If you're an "artist" YouTube can certainly increase your work's chance of "accidental" discovery. Vimeo used to have a big quality edge and that's gone (except that it defaults to HD).

YouTube does not have a 500MB or 1 HD upload weekly limit that Vimeo has for free accounts.
YouTube does not have a 2GB weekly limit that Vimeo has for $60/yr accounts and YouTube is free.
YouTube presents as 720p30 (NTSC) or 720p25 (PAL). Vimeo drops frames (badly I might add) and plays at 720p24.
Vimeo does not have the 10 minute duration limit that YouTube has though.
Vimeo allows password protection if something needs to be screened privately.
Vimeo allows the viewer to download the source file if the uploader permits it.

Guys I have been uploading 1080i 25p files on our IPTV site for months now and there is so much bullshit around about HD at the moment so you tubes 720p is not true HD in any means.

It is all down to IP bandwidth and if you want most people to view your content you need to be maxing at around 1mbs any more and it will judder and stutter on payback.

Our IPTV test site is using 1080i 25p masters in pro res 422 res downscaled to flash at 1mbs 25fps with keyframes 50 per sec. This is the best compromise at the moment and will play on broadband at around 1mbs average.

Check out our quality at:

iNorthEast.tv (http://www.iNorthEast.tv)

Gary, YouTube HD is 1280x720p30 (or 25 PAL). I haven't tested the bandwidth but others have and report about 2mb/s.

My own download rate is 30mbs (yes you read that right) so I don't get any stuttering at all.
In my area the base (lowest) level service plans (DSL) are 1mb/s

Typical DSL in my area
1mbs
3mbs
7mbs

Cable Modem
5mbs
15mbps
30mbps

FIOS is at the upper end of Cable Modems speeds and faster but not widely installed yet.

Basically all but the slowest broadband connections can handle 2mbs without issue.
Anyone can use the "normal" quality on YouTube if they can't watch HD.

720p25 at 2mbs is going to look better than 1080p25 at 1mbs. Maybe you don't consider 720 HD?

same video, same file, all three major sites.. CBR 15kbps WMV 314mb filesize.

http://www.exposureroom.com/members/MetalAlien.aspx/assets/ea643e3662bd41868ca72e53d7b22b1d/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93tX8ezdBis&fmt=22

http://www.vimeo.com/2459943

I had some issues with playback of my first HD YouTube video. I think my data rate (12000kbps) is way too high. Any recommendations?

I'm going to test some 1280x720/30p native shooting soon. I loved the "A Day at Big Spring Park, Huntsville, AL" video but man does it take a long time to download HD stuff off YouTube. It's almost like watching TV now though!

Generally I find 1280x720 5000kbps using H.264 Multipass in Apple Compressor works perfectly for upload. If using another compression app make sure its a 2 Pass VBR encode.
Even using other codecs like WMV shouldn't need that much more data rate. H264 is best for quality and file size efficiency.

The data rates people are mentioning here see way too high but then again as long as you're under the 1GB file size limit you should be OK. Maybe there's something about YouTube's compression software that doesn't like high data rates.

just trying to keep the video as clean as I can... I tried using other formats but the sound keeps messing up once youtube has it's way with it.

the world is changing =D. can u imagine streaming HD to your front projector?

now all they need to work on is streaming lossy or lossless 7.1 surround sound, then we'll have true VOD across the internet =P

no more blurays ;)

Facebook now has HD. It looks a little better than Vimeo.

they changed it again, now when you click on "watch it in HD" the frame gets bigger...

YouTube - Moon Rising 15th Dec 08 (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ixXWbO6p_b8&fmt=22)

EDIT: too bad youtube is practically USELESS for sharing HD video. Their servers are so bad it takes nearly as long to watch as video as it does to upload one. Even if I use the &fmt=22 code.. My videos take FOREVER to load (when trying to watch one). Over an hour sometimes.

Started playing near instant for me. It seems when the HD was uploaded is not significant
I uploaded this in August.
YouTube - Rebel Diaz - 2 Wars - For Rosa Clemente / Cynthia McKinney (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BBS1Dn7gf8Q&fmt=22)

Sorry Craig my computer won't load it. I get about a second of video for every minute of waiting. All the other video sites load super fast BTW.. only youtube is slow and if you do a search for "why is youtube so slow" on google or youtube you will see that I am not alone...

try one of mine and see how it loads..

YouTube - 40$ Steadicam (home made) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5vYQGzpjk4&fmt=22)

try one of mine and see how it loads..

YouTube - 40$ Steadicam (home made) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5vYQGzpjk4&fmt=22)

Took about 6 seconds to load and come up. I let it buffer for 15 seconds and then it plays well.

Took about 6 seconds to load and come up. I let it buffer for 15 seconds and then it plays well.

Well me and a apparently loads of others are having serious trouble. I tried it on another computer and the same thing happen.

Aww well, vimeo and exposure room are really quick.

It took 2 seconds to load give or take a second. It took 3:40 for 7:32 video to load so it buffered a little faster than 2x real time for me.

It took 2 seconds to load give or take a second. It took 3:40 for 7:32 video to load so it buffered a little faster than 2x real time for me.

any ideas? I just tested my download speeds for the hell of it and they are just fine. Something stupid is going on since it seems to be completely random as to who can or can not download from youtube fast.

EDIT: exact same video on vimeo fully loaded in 1:39 for me just now.

http://www.vimeo.com/2525899

Your Vimeo version took :44 to buffer for me. It's certainly faster but it's a much smaller frame size than the YouTube version. YouTube is actually using a higher data rate which would take it longer to buffer.

There may well be Internet path issues affecting some areas.

Thanks Craig, you know, on Xbox360 games my lag out here is always worse than my buddies some of whom are in the same city! Maybe it is a location thing.

EDIT: oh and I forgot to mention, all the standard def videos, no matter how big they are on yuotube, load super fast. Only the HD videos come to a stand still.

Funny thing is, it's not even HD, it's just standard def...

But people are so used to garbage resolutions and bit-rates, this is a big upgrade... enough that Youtube can get away with calling it HD... =/

Don't be fooled by the YouTube playback window. It's HD. Expand to full screen. People who've captured YouTube HD have found it to be 1280x720 VBR encode with an average of 2000kbps and peaks near 4000kbps. Vimeo, btw seems to be CBR at about 1800kbps.

Youtube's HD seems to be even bigger now! :O End of Vimeo?

I don't think people are going to move away from Vimeo, and if they do, it'll be a small amount. I think people that use Vimeo are going to stay loyal simply due to the fact that many members there have established friendships and, in some cases, partnerships. You might see some move to Youtube for quality purposes, or whatever, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that Vimeo is going under.

Vimeo doesn't have a sustainable business model at the moment. They are depending on $60/year subscriptions but the playback quality is worse than YouTube because of their self imposed frame rate issue. They limit uploads to 2GB per week whereas YouTube has no limit. On these two points YouTube is both Free and Better.

Vimeo's target seems to be the creative filmmaker but creative filmmaker shooting at anything other than 24p will have dropped frames. All you have to do is look at some of the very long threads about YouTube.

In short some will not pay $60/year and anybody outside of USA CAN NOT pay $60/year even if they wanted too.

Vimeo has already stated they can't survive on free accounts with ad based revenue.

From "the other end" there's ExposureRoom which is completely free and has no weekly limits too.

I don't think people are going to move away from Vimeo, and if they do, it'll be a small amount.

You are probably right, however, I believe Vimeo will now see a slow down in NEW users. With YouTube giving folks what they want, they are much less likely to search around for an alternative (which is the only reason I found Vimeo in the first place).

Youtube still has 10min time limit.
Since you mentioned Vimeo - I think the best advantage of Vimeo is the community and the quality of material. I've seen many really great films on Vimeo, very few on Youtube - if they are there, they're burried in garbage.

right after youtube finished maintenance yesterday it worked fine for the rest of the night. All videos loading fast... today... right back to the stand still.. LOL

Good to hear you're getting good playback again on YouTube.

The thing about Vimeo, although I love the community that's not significant to the people I show my uploaded video to. I'm not targeting the Vimeo community, I'm targeting clients, potential clients, showing work of artistic merit to people outside the Vimeo community.

After hearing those people respond with "It looks jittery, is it the way you shot it?" That's NOT what I want to present to the outside world. Not only does YouTube play back in the native frame rate of the uploaded file, it now plays at 1280x720 frame size.

People complain about the comments on YouTube but you can put any video comment area on moderate or completely off.

I do like the fact that Vimeo has password protection as some people I shoot for want to have control over who sees it. I also like the ability to download the source since, in some cases, I want the video to be available as a source for others. And yes, I like the fact that you can upload more than 10 minutes.

So for those features I'll put a specific video up an Vimeo as long as it's no more than 1 HD video a week. Everything else can go on YouTube.

Certainly if I want peer response I can put something on Vimeo but it becomes a very closed community if that's the primary purpose. If I need to show good 720p30 video to the public, YouTube seems better.

Keep in mind ExposureRoom doesn't have a 10 minute limit and also has password protection and there's no GB per week limit either. Who knows what their business model is though.