Quality YouTube Video-Once an Oxymoron-Now a Reality!
"Three former PayPal employees created YouTube in February 2005. In November 2006, YouTube, LLC was bought by Google Inc. for $1.65 billion, and is now operated as a subsidiary of Google. (I didn't know that! DB) The company is based in San Bruno, California, and uses Adobe Flash Video technology to display a wide variety of user-generated video content, including movie clips, TV clips, and music videos, as well as amateur content such as video blogging and short original videos." (From Wikipedia)
With the advent of YouTube, we all had the pleasure of the ability to view countless videos, covering countless topics, from all over the world. But if you are anything like me, after the novelty wore off you may have began to find the poor quality of the video annoying. I sure did, often not even bothering to view the videos that were being emailed to me on a regular basis.
However, you may have noticed recently that the quality of the videos dropping into your email and showing up on blog pages has improved - and improved ALOT.
Why would that be, you ask? Well, I'll be happy to share that information, and how you can improve the quality of the videos you upload to YouTube.
Most of us accept the default settings in our software when we are not sure 'how to/what to' use instead. So, rather than do that, the next time you render a video for upload to YouTube to use on your blog or website, use these settings:
1. Minimum MPEG 2 to MPEG 4
2. 1280 X 720 Resolution
3. MP3, AAC audio
4. 25 or 30 frames per second
You will end up with a finished product that will be much more enjoyable to your viewers.
(YouTube now offers the ability to upload your video shot in HD, using the above mentioned settings, and a 'view in HD' option on the controls. Even if your video is NOT in HD, these settings will greatly improve your playback!)
Be patient. It's going to take A LONG TIME to upload and process this on YouTube - but it will be worth it!
The following video, a 3 minute 43 second slideshow I created of the Paint Mines of Calhan, Colorado, was rendered using these settings. It is not 'perfect' - there is still a bit of issue with jerky movement in the special effects, and slow to focus out of the transitions, but a huge improvement over what we had become used to seeing.
( Those of you who enjoyed my photos of the Paint Mines posted to Wordless Wednesday, may also enjoy the photos in this slideshow.)
And here is a video I found on YouTube that used standard settings. This girl is amazing - but the quality of the video is very poor. This is the YouTube most of us have been used to seeing, and what we think of when we envision a YouTube video.
But it doesn't have to look like this!!!!
Position yourself above your competition - Utilize a "Real Estate Showcase" Slideshow DVD as a listing tool. Gift a DVD copy to the buyer at closing to share with out of town friends and family. Post it on your own website. Realtor Showcase members can upload these slideshows to Realtor.com. Post it on your blog to advertise your listings.
Photos taken by Debi Boucher, all rights reserved, may not be reproduced without express written permission.Memories DVDs Photo Slideshow DVD and Web Presentations, "Real Estate Showcase", to assist with marketing and advertising endeavors. More affordable, more interesting, and more captivating than a virtual tour!
Debi your video is fantastic, very sharp and clear! I wish everyone knew this Debi, it would make watching You-tube a lot better! :-) Thanks for the gorgeous video of the Paint Mines and for the tips!
Hi Mary - Good to see you, and thanks, glad you liked the video. I think the better quality will catch on once people know how to make it happen! YouTube can't do it, it has to happen when the video is rendered - YouTube's contribution is in making itself able to process the improvements.
WOW - that was amazing, even in full screen the quality was dazzling. This video is so professional, you "are" a real pro :-) Love the music, very hypnotic...just right for the scenes. Wonderful transitions....many I've not seen before. Should I ever upload to YouTube, I couldn't imagine doing it any other way. Great tutorial, many thanks.
Hi Debi-What a spectacular slideshow. You are a pro for sure. Those mines are beautiful but they are even more so with the way you do them. Great job my friend. I got to learn how to upload to You-tube. Have a wonderful day. :-)
HI Debi-How you been my friend? You have been doing some amazing work. I have missed you lots. I'm doing well just crazier than normal but you got to do what you got to do to earn a living but it stinks I don't get to see everybody. Take care of yourself and I talk to you again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~waving but sad to say goodbye~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Gail! Glad you liked the show - and the tutorial! There's no more excuse for crummy YouTube shows! ;)
Sharon T - It does make a big difference - I'm happy to share!
Sharon L - Thanks much, girl!
Miss Patty P!!!!!!!! SO good to hear from you! I've missed you too, but glad you're busy and doing well. Are you still making music when you can? Gotta have some fun in life! ;) See Ya my friend! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Debi--Thanks for the info on the upload settings. I created a virtual tour recently that had the ability to link to youtube... Quietwater Creek It took forever to upload. If you watch it in HQ and full screen, it's pretty good image quality. The small setting loses all the verbage on the property...
Thanks for stopping in Cheryl! Hope you find it useful when you find the time! LOL
I watched your show - Well done Tamara! Yes, it does take forever to load - I just set it up, and go to bed! It's there in the morning ;) Funny how that setting could be plopped down in the mountains of Colorado and look exactly the same.... If I could make one suggestion for your show, it would be to have the text up for a longer period of time. Everyone reads at a different pace, and one way to accomodate all readers would be to see if you have enough time to read the whole thing reading it backwards. It seems a long time for fast readers, but this ensures everyone will have time to read it. Another is to be sure you have an easy to read font, in an easy to read color. Especially when the font is small. Your photos were terrific! I'll buy it - Where do I sign? LOL
Thanks Debi--I appreciate your time and feedback. I've told people to view in HQ and full screen, seems to help a lot. I was thinking I probably needed to go to Photoshop and create a text block on each photo so that it was more readable.... Finding a color that worked with all the images was virtually impossible, so I opted for the one that worked with most... I think! Thanks for the compliments on the pix. I'll send you a contract!!! ;-)
Hey Debou, I just had John sit down to watch this....he said to tell you it's fantastic and so are you :-)
WOW Tamara you put a lot into that listing presentation, Debi's suggestions are good ones which will help your show be even better. She has raised the bar for us mere mortals....and deserves the accolades!
Hi Tamara- You are welcome, but you mean HD, right? LOL
Miss Gail! Tell John I say thanks a bunch! Glad he liked it! Hope you two are enjoying your day, and glad that nasty weather back there didn't get to you!
That is sooo funny. Where yours says HD, mine says HQ. I wonder if it's because I loaded it from a google program or if it's the file type that was loaded! So I don't know what to tell you about your options! I did post a blog on how to use Picassa for this earlier today...
Hi Debi--Thought I had to tell Gail that even though we are mere mortals, with friends like you, we all get to shine a little brighter because of your willingness to share! So thank you!
Tamara, that's very kind of you and Gail, but all of us contribute our knowledge and skills here, and THAT'S what makes it so beneficial to everyone- Your Picassa post for example - excellent! I've learned so much here in the Rain, on so many different topics,I've had to start taking notes. LOL! Ever wish you had a photographic memory? Boy, would THAT make life easier!
I'm glad to know neither of us is losing it. Thought about having the same thing for breakfast everyday, so at least I'd remember that much by default! But some days I forget to have breakfast! ;-)
Debi, What program are you using to create the video? Do you have a favorite place to get music? Just bought a Vado HD and am trying to get up to speed.
Hi Norma, I use ProShow Producer to create my videos, and I have a library of 'legal' music from Digital Juice. It's an expensive investment, but well worth not worrying about copyright violations! Have fun with your new 'stuff'!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
;)
;)
;)
I've been using YouTube to advertise visual tours of my listings for some time now....
I've not enjoyed the quality though.......until NOW!
Thank you for sharing these tips for achieving better video quality.