Android: Video is too large for MMS is a freakin joke

[spinedoc77]

Sorry to rant here, but I've become utterly frustrated with Androids MMS limitation in Hangouts. I really really miss iOS where it was seamless and it would simply automatically downgrade the video and send it, no questions asked, no error messages, it just let me do what I wanted to do which is send the video.

I'm not going to change the quality every freakin time I want to send a video. I don't even want to change the quality as I want it in the highest quality, that's why I paid the money for my phone. Just downgrade the freakin quality to send it.

OK /endrant... Does anyone have any suggestions or any feedback that Google is going to fix this? Camera resolutions are only going up, this seems like it should have been an issue in 2005 not in 2014. Yes I know I can email it and it will resize it, but that is a pretty big hassle as I don't have everyones email address, it's not really a very viable solution.

PS: While you are at it Google why don't you fix it so I can send MORE than one picture in Hangouts at a time ?!?!?!

 

[Intell]

MMS file sizes are a limitation of the carrier. Most carriers don't support files larger than 3-5MB.

 

[spinedoc77]

MMS file sizes are a limitation of the carrier. Most carriers don't support files larger than 3-5MB.

That's NOT the issue that I posted about, I was pretty clear about it. The issue is the video should be resized and sent seamlessly like iOS does.

 

[Intell]

I'm outlining the source of the problem. To understand the issue, you must know the source. The both the source and the issue you posted about are similar in aspects in that they cause the same result for some platforms.

 

[spinedoc77]

I'm outlining the source of the problem. To understand the issue, you must know the source. The both the source and the issue you posted about are similar in aspects in that they cause the same result for some platforms.

Not really. Is that an issue for iOS? I don't mean to keep throwing iOS in there like a rabid fanboi, because I'm not. I just don't get why this is an issue in 2014.

 

[Intell]

It is an issue if trying to send a too long of a video. A video can only be compressed so much before it's nothing but four pixels. Still, why complain about it on an Apple centric forum where Google, one who could correct the shortcoming, doesn't look? Why not send feedback to Google?

 

[spinedoc77]

It is an issue if trying to send a too long of a video. A video can only be compressed so much before it's nothing but four pixels. Still, why complain about it on an Apple centric forum where Google, one who could correct the shortcoming, doesn't look? Why not send feedback to Google?

I've sent feedback to them, dozens of them. I'm just ranting on the "Alternatives to iOS and iOS Devices" subforum. Maybe someone has a work around or solution, that's what forums are good for. I haven't found any good Android forums yet and I find the info on this subforum is much better than a fully android forum.

 

[gotluck]

Wouldn't you have the same problem with a standard mms on iPhone?

Or it indeed downgrades the quality automatically? Now that you mention it a regular mms video my wife sent me from ios was definitely downscaled. But it was like 10 or 15 seconds. I can't say that I've sent video over mms

Not really a solution, but I'd use Dropbox/onedrive/ flickr etc...

 

[Fanaticalism]

Wouldn't you have the same problem with a standard mms on iPhone?

Or it indeed downgrades the quality automatically? Now that you mention it a regular mms video my wife sent me from ios was definitely downscaled. But it was like 10 or 15 seconds. I can't say that I've sent video over mms

OP has a legitimate complaint as I too have sent numerous feedbacks to google about the limitations of hangouts.

When my wife could no longer send me files she could before after switching, she didn't understand why. I had to explain the limitations but when she then asked why she couldn't send multiple photos using IM in hangouts, which I had no answer for.

Granted, a lot of the videos she would send me would be scaled down to the point where it would've been better if not sent not all, but it kept her in the bubble of believing recipients were enjoying them as she intended.

iOS downgrades the video and if it is too long it will ask you to clip it.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Sorry to rant here, but I've become utterly frustrated with Androids MMS limitation in Hangouts. I really really miss iOS where it was seamless and it would simply automatically downgrade the video and send it, no questions asked, no error messages, it just let me do what I wanted to do which is send the video.

I'm not going to change the quality every freakin time I want to send a video. I don't even want to change the quality as I want it in the highest quality, that's why I paid the money for my phone. Just downgrade the freakin quality to send it.

OK /endrant... Does anyone have any suggestions or any feedback that Google is going to fix this? Camera resolutions are only going up, this seems like it should have been an issue in 2005 not in 2014. Yes I know I can email it and it will resize it, but that is a pretty big hassle as I don't have everyones email address, it's not really a very viable solution.

PS: While you are at it Google why don't you fix it so I can send MORE than one picture in Hangouts at a time ?!?!?!

Hangouts still seems like it isn't fully matured on several levels. The UI isn't straightforward, you can't add multiple files/pics to a single MMS and as you said, the video issue is annoying.
There are times that I don't even bother with texting on Android and just use GMail. Simpler and works for everything.

The work around for your particular issue though is to use Google Drive/Dropbox/I cloud/OneDrive and simply send a link to your files and let the recipient DL the files. It isn't a perfect system yet, but online storage and linking is the future. Best of all, online storage is OS independent.

 

[gotluck]

OP has a legitimate complaint as I too have sent numerous feedbacks to google about the limitations of hangouts.

When my wife could no longer send me files she could before after switching, she didn't understand why. I had to explain the limitations but when she then asked why she couldn't send multiple photos using IM in hangouts, which I had no answer for.

Granted, a lot of the videos she would send me would be scaled down to the point where it would've been better if not sent not all, but it kept her in the bubble of believing recipients were enjoying them as she intended.

iOS downgrades the video and if it is too long it will ask you to clip it.

ah indeed, fair enough

I have noticed that I cannot attach multiple photos through mms in hangouts and have resorted to sending them one by one

never experienced ios asking to clip it, but that is certainly superior

legitimate complaints for sure

 

[Tarzanman]

I think that the OP is partially missing the point. The entire idea of hangouts is to move users away from MMS/SMS and to give them a data based alternative.

Even though I do wish that it was easier to share videos via hangouts, I don't think that compressing them for MMS is the answer. Its a step backwards since MMS has too many carrier-imposed limitations (i.e. file size).

 

[spinedoc77]

I think that the OP is partially missing the point. The entire idea of hangouts is to move users away from MMS/SMS and to give them a data based alternative.

Even though I do wish that it was easier to share videos via hangouts, I don't think that compressing them for MMS is the answer. Its a step backwards since MMS has too many carrier-imposed limitations (i.e. file size).

That doesn't make much sense at all. If that were true then there should be NO limit on video size sent, it would just eat up your data and bypass the carriers MMS system, which would be awesome.. They could even add a toggle to only send large videos when you are on WiFi. I would assume that would require both parties to have hangouts though, so while its a great solution it still bumps up against the real world and fragmentation.

Compressing video can't be a step backwards because there is nothing to step back from. You simply cannot send the video and are out of luck. Less options is always a bad thing IMO. I've always been satisfied with the quality of ios when it compresses video foe MMS, its just meant for a quick look on a smartphone sized screen.

 

[tbayrgs]

I think that the OP is partially missing the point. The entire idea of hangouts is to move users away from MMS/SMS and to give them a data based alternative.

Even though I do wish that it was easier to share videos via hangouts, I don't think that compressing them for MMS is the answer. Its a step backwards since MMS has too many carrier-imposed limitations (i.e. file size).

So the alternative is having no option at all? Instead of being able to send a downgraded/compressed video via MMS, we should get in touch with that contact, advise them to get a Google account and install/setup Hangouts so that I can then send them the video?

The irony here is that Apple, the OS with all of the restrictions, provides an automatic, seamless solution that works within the existing limitations vs. Google's 'tough luck' option.

 

[soulreaver99]

1. upload video to youtube
2. text your link
3. end thread

 

[Fanaticalism]

1. upload video to youtube
2. text your link
3. end thread

Not that cut and dry.

The issue with those of us that post on web forums such as these is we only think in terms of our case specific uses and not the general consumer (i.e. my wife).

 

[superwoman]

I think it's a legitimate complaint, but it is not a limitation of Android. It is a limitation of an app, in this case the default messaging app. You are asking for a feature that the app does not (yet) have, i.e. automatically recognizing channel limitations (carrier file size limits) and compensating for it (compressing to within limits) preferably without intervention.

The obvious solution is to use another app that does not face this limitation and therefore does not need to compensate. Why not use Whatsapp or Line, which are far more functional and powerful?

I agree that Hangouts is limited at this stage of its development, as well as Apple's iMessage being superior comparatively. But it's not something that either me (a technie using Nexus 5) or my wife (a non-techie using iPhone) make a fuss of with the availability of Textra and Whatsapp.

 

[adder7712]

What phone are you using?

If it's a Nexus, I understand your frustration. If you're using a Samsung, Sony or HTC (etc.), I suggest sticking to the OEM's messaging app as Hangouts is still meh (meh overall for anything texting related) for MMS.

 

[jrswizzle]

I think it's a legitimate complaint, but it is not a limitation of Android. It is a limitation of an app, in this case the default messaging app. You are asking for a feature that the app does not (yet) have, i.e. automatically recognizing channel limitations (carrier file size limits) and compensating for it (compressing to within limits) preferably without intervention.

The obvious solution is to use another app that does not face this limitation and therefore does not need to compensate. Why not use Whatsapp or Line, which are far more functional and powerful?

I agree that Hangouts is limited at this stage of its development, as well as Apple's iMessage being superior comparatively. But it's not something that either me (a technie using Nexus 5) or my wife (a non-techie using iPhone) make a fuss of with the availability of Textra and Whatsapp.

The problem with this line of thinking is not about what the user is willing to do - but what those with whom the user communicates frequently are willing to do.

I know in my case, I wouldn't want to have to get my wife, mother, father, two brothers, two sisters, brother-in-law, best friends, grandmother, wife's grandmother, mother-in-law......all to switch to some other messaging app just because mine doesn't work as well as it should.

This is a HUGE benefit for Apple. You can say "oh use a third party option" all day long, but it will NEVER be as easy and effective as a GREAT stock option.

iMessages is a GREAT stock messaging app. Hangouts is NOT....yet.

 

[gotluck]

The problem with iMessage is that it is apple only, which is a serious disadvantage. It's great, but will eventually be overtaken for that reason alone.

In my anecdotal circle of people I know, viber seems to be gaining traction. I mostly know ios users but they want to communicate with other phone users. The free international calling doesn't hurt either. Yes FaceTime exists, but once again apple only..

 

[tbayrgs]

The problem with iMessage is that it is apple only, which is a serious disadvantage. It's great, but will eventually be overtaken for that reason alone.

In my anecdotal circle of people I know, viber seems to be gaining traction. I mostly know ios users but they want to communicate with other phone users. The free international calling doesn't hurt either. Yes FaceTime exists, but once again apple only..

Agree--biggest limitation of iMessage is single platform restriction. That being said, it's also one of the biggest reasons people like iOS and plenty of people (myself included) find it hard to leave it, it works that well (and wait until people see what it can do in iOS 8--I personally love the new functionality). And if I'm not mistaken, it's already been overtaken by What's App.

I think the point trying to be made here is, if Apple can succeed in overcoming the limitation address by the OP and make it completely transparent, why can't Google do the same with Hangouts? Hangout's has the potential to be a far more powerful tool considering the number of Android users AND that it is cross-platform compatible, yet Google is IMO, really missing out on a huge opportunity because of its limitations. It should easily be the most popular messaging app purely based on its reach, and right now it's failing miserably.

 

[gotluck]

Totally agreed ^ there is great opportunity for hangouts and it seems they just dont get it.

I know WhatsApp has huge international appeal and it is surely at the top, but I only know one WhatsApp user

 

[Tinmania]

Sorry to rant here, but I've become utterly frustrated with Androids MMS limitation in Hangouts. I really really miss iOS where it was seamless and it would simply automatically downgrade the video and send it, no questions asked, no error messages, it just let me do what I wanted to do which is send the video.

I'm not going to change the quality every freakin time I want to send a video. I don't even want to change the quality as I want it in the highest quality, that's why I paid the money for my phone. Just downgrade the freakin quality to send it.

OK /endrant... Does anyone have any suggestions or any feedback that Google is going to fix this? Camera resolutions are only going up, this seems like it should have been an issue in 2005 not in 2014. Yes I know I can email it and it will resize it, but that is a pretty big hassle as I don't have everyones email address, it's not really a very viable solution.

PS: While you are at it Google why don't you fix it so I can send MORE than one picture in Hangouts at a time ?!?!?!

That is one of the things I miss about iMessage the most: seamless and transparent video. The faster your connection, the better the quality of the video. But even on plain old 3G it is a heck of a lot better than MMS video. I even tested it on EDGE and it was a lot better.

I don't think MMS video should even exist anymore. Is it really useful to have video that was designed for a candy-bar phone with a 1" screen?

This is not a carrier issue to me: if you are sending video as data through the Hangouts app, through Google's servers, carriers do not come into play. If you use Hangouts for SMS to non Hangout users then of course it has to be sent as MMS.




Michael

 

[pdqgp]

1. upload video to youtube
2. text your link
3. end thread

Not that cut and dry.

The issue with those of us that post on web forums such as these is we only think in terms of our case specific uses and not the general consumer (i.e. my wife).

YMMV. My wife and kids and I all share a youtube account for this exact reason. Shoot a video, upload to youtube and share. How hard is that? I have an 8yr old, 11yr old and two 40 somethings using it.

Honestly, why would I MMS a video vs just uploading and sharing it? MMS is great for pics but video.....no thanks, I'd rather share a full 1080p vid via an upload.

 

[spinedoc77]

I think it's a legitimate complaint, but it is not a limitation of Android. It is a limitation of an app, in this case the default messaging app. You are asking for a feature that the app does not (yet) have, i.e. automatically recognizing channel limitations (carrier file size limits) and compensating for it (compressing to within limits) preferably without intervention.

The obvious solution is to use another app that does not face this limitation and therefore does not need to compensate. Why not use Whatsapp or Line, which are far more functional and powerful?

I agree that Hangouts is limited at this stage of its development, as well as Apple's iMessage being superior comparatively. But it's not something that either me (a technie using Nexus 5) or my wife (a non-techie using iPhone) make a fuss of with the availability of Textra and Whatsapp.

What phone are you using?

If it's a Nexus, I understand your frustration. If you're using a Samsung, Sony or HTC (etc.), I suggest sticking to the OEM's messaging app as Hangouts is still meh (meh overall for anything texting related) for MMS.

I'm on a Samsung Note 3. I really like Hangouts, it's a shame. So you guys are saying the stock messaging app will automatically resize large videos and send them like iOS does? Hmm, I'll have to try it as I never really used the stock app.

Edit: I used the stock messaging app on the Note 3 and it did prompt me to resize the video, did just that and sent it. So I don't know if that is a Samsung app, or if Android has a "stock" messaging app, I thought Androids "stock" messaging app was Hangouts. I sent this to my wife who has an iPhone 5, I'll have to check her phone and see how it works. Thanks for the suggestions.

It's still a shame IMO as I really like Hangouts otherwise. I just cannot fathom why Google wouldn't "fix" it especially in light of how they have been pushing it hard. For them to leave it hanging like this is kind of like the Microsoft mentality of weird decisions and feature management which doesn't make sense. Basically Hangouts is so crippled in its CORE functions that I will probably stop using it completely, is Google aware of this sentiment as I can't be the only one miffed.