Problems embedding an MPEG-4 in a page

[DogAndPony]

Hey, folks...

I'm trying to embed a client's Quicktime MPEG-4 (.mp4) demo reel into a page on his site, but it won't play while embedded in the page.

I'm using Apple's example code specifically for embedding an MPEG-4:

<OBJECT
CLASSID="clsid:02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B"
CODEBASE="http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab"
WIDTH="320" HEIGHT="264" >

<PARAM NAME="src" VALUE="demoreel.mp4" >
<PARAM NAME="AutoPlay" VALUE="true" >
<PARAM NAME="Controller" VALUE="true" >

<EMBED SRC="QTMimeType.mov" TYPE="video/quicktime"
PLUGINSPAGE="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download"
QTSRC="demoreel.mp4" WIDTH="320" HEIGHT="264"
AUTOPLAY="true" CONTROLLER="true" >

</EMBED>

</OBJECT>(Note the use of the QTMimeType.mov file... followed by the QTSRC: parameter with the real file URL... which is what Apple says to do to display a non-QT file.).

While I can open the clip in my browser from my HD, when I first tried to look at it directly on the server, the browser offered to download it or play it in the Quicktime Player app... Which works fine. But it wouldn't play it in the browser.

So I wondered if it was a MIME type thing, and added the type to the directory's .htaccess file.

Then the clip was able to play directly in the browser... But still not when embedded in the page. Forced-refresh, browser cache clearing and reopening the browser app didn't help.

Anyone have any clues? Am I missing a typo or something in the code?

I could get the client to give me a .mov of the reel, but I'd like to avoid forcing him to take the time to re-render and re-compress it in Final Cut / Compressor again.

Then again, if we need to for compatibility, we'll do that...

TIA!

[johnfl68]

Bob:

This is becoming more and more a problem, in that even if you get it working correctly for you browser, more than likely there will be a browser that it wont play in.

I have seen some extensive scripts that have at least 7 differnt ways to code playing the clip just so that I will play in most browsers.

What people are starting to do is put movies in "Flash" now - and let flash figure out the browser problems, or just set the file to open quicktime outside of the browser to play the content.

I know this isn't the answer you are looking for, but maybe at least comfort you in that you are not the only person having this problem.

John

[DogAndPony]

This is becoming more and more a problem, in that even if you get it working correctly for you browser, more than likely there will be a browser that it wont play in.
...
What people are starting to do is put movies in "Flash" now - and let flash figure out the browser problems, or just set the file to open quicktime outside of the browser to play the content.So you're saying this is true for all types of files meant to be played by QT, not just mp4?

I've seen quite a few sites where they spawn a new window and play the clip alone... and I may take that route. As long as I can size the window via JavaScript and maintain some sense of presentation, it should be okay...

This really would be disappointing; embedded QT movies used to be one of the most reliable ways of putting up motion media... :/

Thanks for the observation...

[Bob]

This really would be disappointing; embedded QT movies used to be one of the most reliable ways of putting up motion media... :/

Thanks for the observation...

Bob,

I am assuming I am a minority but I don't even have QT installed on my primary machine in fact I have it installed on only 1 of 7 machines here and that was only done to check content from some sites asking about hosting here...

-Bob
- (The Other, really OTHER one :P -

[DogAndPony]

I am assuming I am a minority but I don't even have QT installed on my primary machine in fact I have it installed on only 1 of 7 machines here and that was only done to check content from some sites asking about hosting here...I think you are in the minority of all users... But the default for the target visitor for this site -- film production people -- is to have Quicktime installed, so if they don't have it, they're probably semi-Luddite, and will gladly take a DVD demo reel... Or they're not worth working with anyway. :EG: - (The Other, really OTHER one :P -I shall not deign to engage in an "Otherness" competition at this time. (Even though I really, really AM the OTHER one.) :rasberry:

[DogAndPony]

And a quick update... It turns out it was pilot error; the filename got a change (typo) between versions, and I didn't catch it. One of those things that happens when you inherit someone else's work; you're not as familiar with the details, and stuff like that doesn't pop out... even if you changed it yourself! :BPG2:

All works fine now...

Thanks for the help, guys!

[johnfl68]

This is true for all embeded content like video and audio. Each of the browsers want to see a different set of embeded controls, and no one wants to hop on and adopt a particular standard. That is why people are writting these scripts to see what OS, what browser, what browser version, what media player is already loaded for the browser, etc., so that it can give the correct embeded content for that instance. Makes it difficult to code if you don't have all those machines and possibilities.

This is not limited to quick-time, but windows media and other players. And I have looked at lots of different scripts and some work some machines, but I have yet to find a solves all solution. I have even started to see content providers say "requires Internet Explorer and Windows" because they know how to get it to work that way, but that is not fair to everyone.

Yes, film production people should have QT installed (as I work with production people all the time in my other job).

It' unfortunate that the browser companies can not all use the same standards, but then look at video, we still have PAL and NTSC formats around the world, not a single format that all can play.

John