Web Hosting for Videos - suggested host?

[DEXTERITY]

Hi,

I'm familiar with a lot of the webhosts which are good for a regular site. However, I was wondering if someone could guide me in the right direction in regards to having video's on a website and the best type of hosting to get.

I know it is going to eat a lot of bandwith and it depends on how much traffic we would get. However, could someone please give me an idea of how much bandwith maybe 10 to 20 minutes of video would use each time it was watched? We are shooting for something that is a decent quality (maybe option for decent and low).

I'm not sure if I should get a dedicated server (would rather wait since most are expensive) or just find a good host that offers a lot of bandwith? I know we will probably have to start out with something just to get an idea of how much traffic the video show will generate. But we want to at least start with the right company and have an idea of what kind of plan we may have to end up on.

Appreciate any help, thank you.

 

[nightelf]

You could pay for a hosting plan only for the videos, and then link them from your regular site.

ASmallOrange.com have packages where they offer more space and bandwidth for files only. No scripts or control panel.

http://asmallorange.com/services/hosting/extreme.php

How big is the video file? The bandwidth for a single visitor would be the same.

 

[DEXTERITY]

hmm, thats an interesting strategy. do most companies offer something similar to that? I've heard good things about ASO, thanks for the tip. I don't know how big the file is but if that is the rule then thank you because that gives me something to go on. so if said video file is 20mb thats how much bandwith it would use if someone streamed it or downloaded it?

Thank you..

 

[Darwin]

If I was to download your movie then that would be 20mb (maybe more if you have HTML and Images on the same page). If I was watching it via stream then it would depend on whether the full clip was watched or not

The Bandwidth is measured in the same unit (bytes) that the file size is.

 

[DEXTERITY]

thank you it makes a lot more sense now. Someone else suggested I need to find a host that specializes in video streaming?

 

[nightelf]

In what format do you plan to save your movies?

Downloading would be the easiest and probably cheaper option. I think most formats have a quick-play option where the movies begin playing almost instantaneously (depending on the users speed). Apple Movie Trailers are like this, and you can also save the file if you have QuickTime Pro.

Quicktime streaming would be like the Keynotes. Fast start, no downloading, and requires a broadcaster in the server.

What about using YouTube to host your videos? It would have the watermark but its free .

 

[Darwin]

That is the question, what exactly are the movies for?

 

[DEXTERITY]

well actually they are music video's. It is for a video show which is on Comcast. The site is being used to promote the show and so people outside the viewing area can watch it (especially people over sea's). it is also going to be used to promote the video production/editing side of the company.

thank you