Why Don't More Organizations Self Host Their Videos?

If you think about it, there are a number of things that real estate video upload companies like Youtube or others dont do well. It seems that you always have to deal with their branding and their requirement to cut and paste content. This works for a few videos...but is this really an efficient method for organizations to manage content?

Let's say that your brokerage or local REALTOR Board wants to host property videos on their own web server for their agents that have flip cameras, video capable iPhone, or other traditional video cameras. The agents can be located anywhere and the board doesn't want to have to hire a full time video professional to manage conversions or cut/paste video embed codes. What now?

Using a Automated Video Conversion Widget

the config menu for the widget

Vidlisting (via the platform provider ForSaleByLocals) has just released two possible solutions. One is a small, personalizable web form widget that you can place on any page and will let your team of REALTORS upload a video, convert it into any or all of 6 video formats (swf Flash, flv Flash, wmv, iPhone ready MP4, Quicktime MOV, or mobile 3GP) and automatically send the converted video files to a directory on your organization's web server. The widget can be completely personalized including the ability to choose beween a standard size and a "sidebar" size that fits in the sidebar of wordpress blogs. You can also choose colors and even input a custom background color for the widget. You can also password protect uploads if you like so only those users with the password can upload files via the widget.

Using An Video Conversion API in Your Web Pages or Custom Apps

The other solution is a web based automated video conversion application programming interface (API) ideal for real estate web developers. Using the very simple API, you can now convert video programatically just by using a simple URL. You can even override your own preconfigured defaults when needed. The complete technical documentation for the video conversion API is available as well...note that the documentation is for technical users that have a basic knowledge of programming or scripting languages.

Conversion Is Fast And Safe

Unlike some real estate video companies that often have waits of several days to process their video, Vidlisting has a cluster of dedicated video conversion servers. Files are sent to the first open server and processing of multiple video files can happen in parallel.

Best of all, we take care of of inspecting the uploaded video files as part of the upload process so that only valid video file are processed. We also maintain a wide range of video codecs that often make video conversions from different sources difficult.

Preconfiguration for the FTP process takes seconds and can be accessed via the FTP Configuration menu item on the Configuration menu at http://social.vidlisting.com

What Are Some Other Possible Uses Of These Features?

- Use the widget to collect video from participants of a special event or conference in a standardized format for inclusion on a blog or webpage

- Include the widget in the sidebar of a hyperlocal website for a given neighborhood or area. Allow the neighbors and local businesses to upload video content that ends up on your webserver in a common format and known location (no more trying to keep up with different youtube channels) (h/t to Jim Duncan)

- Build a web app or iPhone application that lets users convert video, FTP it to your own server, and display it on your own webserver after conversion.

Let me know any thoughts you may have about this service.

Tony
The Real Estate Video Social Network

Summary of Recent Changes To The Social Network