This article explains video clip specifications, how to upload video clips to events, and how video clips display to attendees for ON24 webcasts.
Pro Tip: When recording and encoding videos for your streaming experiences, ON24 recommends choosing software that not only meets your current needs but can also grow with your ambitions. While some applications (like Powerpoint or freeware) might allow recording and exporting to MP4 and may seem convenient or cost-effective, they typically lack the reliability, features, and support required for professional live streaming. Using professional video recording and editing tools not only enhances your viewer's experience but also supports your brand's reputation as a professional content creator. Don't have professional video software? Don't worry! Let our ON24 Production pros do it for you. |
Things To Know
It is imperative these specifications be followed so video clips play correctly for the audience.
- All video clips must be in an MP4 format.
- You may upload up to 20 video clips per webcast.
-
Video clips cannot be the first element pushed in a webcast (this should always be a slide).
- Slides should also be pushed in between clips for even cleaner playback and a smoother on-demand experience. These slides can be placeholders should you choose to add chapters to your webinar later.
- All Video clips must have Audio and Video streams encoded (even if the audio is recorded silence).
- Video clip functionality has been designed and tested for short clips (10 minutes on average).
- If a full presentation is to be played using a pre-recorded event option such as Simu-live, Sim-2-Live, or OnDemand event type with video Presenter Media may yield better results. The system will not prevent the upload of longer clips.
- If issues arise with video clips the first item investigated is what specifications the clips have encoded.
- While some specifications listed reference a range it is important to remain within that range.
If you need ON24 Production to re-encode an MP4, please provide 5 business days in advance of the live event. Learn more about our video editing packages here.
Additional Notes
During the live webinar, video clips will play at slightly different times for audience members, depending on how strong an attendee's internet connection is. Having a delay of a few seconds is the nature of live broadcast technology and is to be expected.
For this reason, it's important to wait 5 seconds before advancing to the next slide to allow the video clip to finish playing for all audience members. If you have access to video editing software or production services, we recommend adding ~10 seconds of silence at the end of each video clip to serve as a buffer. You can see an example at the end of this video, https://vimeo.com/121062997.
It is not recommended to have both a video clip playing in the slide window along with a video stream in the Media Player as this will require attendees to have double the amount of required bandwidth. For example, a 300K MP4 in the slide window and a 300K video stream in the Media Player would require at least 600Kbps of bandwidth. In these cases, it's best to incorporate the MP4 content into the video stream. This is more of an issue for Simu-live events using a presenter media video.
Formatting
720p Streaming | 1080p Streaming | Additional Notes | |
Default Account Setup |
Requires Account Configuration Change Not available for Sim2Live. Please contact Support with any questions |
||
File | .mp4 |
.mp4 |
|
Size | 2 GB or lower |
2 GB or lower |
|
Video Format | H.264 / AVC |
H.264 / AVC |
These codecs are absolute necessities. MPEG4-Visual codec is not supported. Audio and Video Files are required even if one is blank. |
Audio Format | AAC MP3 |
AAC |
AAC audio format is preferred if using H.264. With MP3 the mobile stream may encounter issues. Audio and Video Files are required even if one is blank. |
Sample Rate | 48 kHz |
48 kHz |
|
Audio | 64 kbps mono |
96 kbps mono (recommended) |
32 kbps audio is sufficient and will allow the video to be encoded at a higher bit rate. 64 kbps is standard. 96 kbps is recommended for 1080p. Anything over 96 kbps for the mono audio stream is superfluous unless the audio was recorded in a studio (16 kbps is the approximate audible top-end of a traditional copper telephone connection). |
Frame Size |
The video clip must be a 16:9 (recommended) or 4:3 aspect ratio. We recommend 1280 x 720 pixels/720p (or smaller) to minimize file size and bandwidth issues. |
The video clip must be a 16:9 aspect ratio. We recommend 1920 x 1080 pixels/1080p (or smaller) to minimize file size and bandwidth issues.
|
If the video clip is to be displayed in the slide area, the frame size should match the size of the slide area in the audience console. |
Bitrate |
2 Mbps / 2000 kbps Add both the audio and the video channels to get the total bitrate. Generally speaking, the higher the bitrate, the higher the bandwidth requirement for the audience. Important: A CONSTANT bitrate is required. |
5 Mbps / 5000 kbps Add both the audio and the video channels to get the total bitrate. Generally speaking, the higher the bitrate, the higher the bandwidth requirement for the audience. Important: A CONSTANT bitrate is required. |
Bitrate refers to the number of bits per second (bps) at which data in a video is being delivered. The size of the file and the quality of the image and sound are both controlled by the bitrate used. The higher the bitrate, the better the potential quality, and the larger the file size. Lower bitrates should be used for international audiences or events with a large number of users on the same network that is generally more susceptible to bandwidth limitations. |
Frame Rate |
30 fps or less |
30 fps or less |
|
Keyframe |
1 keyframe every 3 seconds |
1 keyframe every 3 seconds |
|
Resolution |
1280 x 720 (720p) |
1920 x 1080 (1080p) |
|
Uploading Video Clips
Slides can be uploaded from either the Overview tab of your event or in Elite Studio.
Event Overview
From the Overview tab of your event, scroll down to Upload Your Media. Drag and drop files or click Upload to find files on your network.
Elite Studio
Log in to Elite Studio as a Producer to upload video clips.
If no presentation elements have been uploaded or created, you will see an arrow icon in the Live View window prompting you to upload content. Click this arrow or open the Setup tool from the menu.
From the Video tab in the Setup window, upload your video clips. Click the arrow icon and select the file from your network or click and drag your file to this area to upload.
Managing Video Clips
Once video clips have been uploaded and converted, they will appear in the Video tab of the Setup window.
To rename the video, click the name and then type a new/edited name into the white box.
Make sure the Audio checkbox is selected, so the audio can be heard by the audience.
To delete the video, click the trash can.
To download the video, click the download icon.
Stopping a Video Clip During a Webcast
In Elite Studio, videos will play in the Media Player. If you'd like to stop a video clip during playback, hover the Media Player and click stop icon. The video will stop, and you may continue the presentation by clicking on the forward arrow on the Live View.
Videos cannot be paused during an event.
Best Practices
-
Be sure to have the video clips uploaded before your practice sessions. As a best practice, we recommend uploading your video clips at least 24 - 48 hours prior to the live event to confirm video and audio playback work as you expect before your webcast goes live.
-
Preview your slides, video clips, polls, etc., by clicking on the Preview URL and opening the Preview Console in a separate browser tab. If you are unable to get your video clips to play you may submit a case for assistance
-
We recommend designating one person responsible for pushing out individual video clips. When the presenter pushes the video clip it takes a few seconds to let the other presenters know the video clip is playing. If any other presenter pushes the video clip at that time there will be multiple video clips playing simultaneously causing an echoing effect.
Audience View
Video clips placed in the Storyboard in Elite Studio will show in the Slide area for webcasts using the Forums, On-Demand Recording, Simu-live, or Broadcast Video present type.
Audience members may maximize the slide area to full screen if desired.
For webcasts using the Live Video present type, video clips will show in the Media Player.
The media player will auto-maximize to display the video clip and then auto-minimize once the clip is finished. The auto-maximize can be changed within the Media Player configuration.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.