QuickTime Streaming

All FastVirtual web hosting plans support HTTP streaming (aka pseudo-streaming).

This method enables you to stream many different media types, including QuickTime video files, from your web site. Multiple simultaneous streams are supported, with the only limitation being your own accepted levels of bandwidth usage.

The following guide provides step-by-step instructions for preparing, adding, and streaming QuickTime video files from your web site.

Create (or Convert to) a QuickTime File

Create new, or convert existing video to a QuickTime file.

You can use QuickTime Pro for this purpose (assumed for this guide). Alternatively, many multimedia applications include the QuickTime CODEC as standard (or make it available as a plug-in), which enables you to export directly to QuickTime video files from within the application.

Prepare for Streaming

Make sure the movie is self-contained, otherwise it will contain references to media content from the original source, which will not be available once the file is on your web site.

Open your video file in QuickTime Pro Player and choose "Movie to QuickTime Movie" from the Export menu. Choose your streaming option from the "Use" menu -- 40 kbps will permit 56K analog modems to stream smoothly; faster rates will cause pauses in playback at this download speed. Make sure you select an HTTP streaming option, and that "Fast Start" is selected. Select any additional options you require, choose a destination for the new file and click "OK" to create your QuickTime file.

Note: If "Fast Start" is not selected, your movie will not stream, thereby requiring your visitors to download the complete file before playback commences. For advanced export options, please see the QuickTime Developer web site.

Upload Your File

You should now have a ".mov" media file that contains your QuickTime video. Upload this file to your web site.

Note: Video files are binary, so remember to upload your file using the appropriate mode. Most FTP programs allow you to configure the transfer mode for extensions you specify, so simply add ".mov" to your binary file types. Then you won't need to worry about future uploads.

Build Your Links

Create a text or image link to the ".mov" file on your web site. When the link is clicked, the visitor's QuickTime Player will launch and begin downloading the ".mov" file. Playback commences once a portion of the file has downloaded, while the remainder of the file is downloaded in the background.

Provide a QuickTime Player Download Link for Your Visitors

You may wish to place the following button on your site to inform visitors that you are providing QuickTime content, and to allow them to download the free player:

Embedding Content in HTML Pages

QuickTime Pro can create embedded content. Plug-ins are also available for popular multimedia applications. For further information, please visit the QuickTime web site.