It’s easier than ever to capture video recordings of just about anything and post it online to a video sharing site or a website in a matter of seconds. Many churches use video sharing on their websites or other Web presence for sermons, ministry activities, mission trips and events. While there are many advanced details to recording, editing and posting quality video files to your site or the Internet, we will share the basics here and then point you to some other websites for more information.
Most video files are in one of these formats: .avi, .flv, .mov, .mp4, .mpeg, .mpg, .rm, .swf, .vob, .wmv. Depending upon the file format you share and how you share it online, people may need to have a specific media player installed on their computers to see and hear the video file.
Next, you need to edit the video file to remove any unnecessary portions so the clip is exactly what you want to share. PC users can take advantage of Microsoft's free Movie Maker, and MAC users can take advantage of Apple's free iMovie for video editing. Keep in mind that most free online video sharing sites have a limit on the file size and length (usually 10 minutes or 10 MB), so be sure to divide your longer videos into several smaller files to accommodate online sharing and viewing. You may want to make your video files downloadable or available to subscribe to via podcast. To learn more about podcasting, see the link below.
If you want to add your video directly onto your website or other Web presence, you will need to convert it to FLV format using Flash Professional or a similar software program. The details of encoding, compressing and formatting video in this manner is beyond the scope of this brief overview. To learn more about preparing video for direct posting to your website, see the “Preparing Video for Web Delivery” link below.
SHARE VIDEO
The easiest and quickest way to get share video online and/or embed in your website is to upload it to a free video sharing site, such as:
Some of these sites and services also allow you to do editing of your video online. To embed the video into your website, simply copy and paste the code from the video sharing site into the code of your website. Most of these sites will have a brief tutorial to walk you through how to share video by copying and pasting the code to your website.
Finally, be sure you follow copyright guidelines, especially regarding recorded music or copyrighted video clips. Most music used in worship is copyrighted; and while churches can use this music in live worship with the CCLI license or use video with the CVLI license, these cannot be shared legally as online recordings without additional licensing and permissions. It’s always a good idea to check with the copyright holder first before posting video of music performed in worship or other church events as well as video used under the CVLI license. When you post these video recordings with proper permission, be sure to state that with your posting.
Learn more:
- The Flip Camera: Tips and Best Practices
- Audio Sharing
- Podcasting
- Privacy and Permissions
- Prepare Video for Web Delivery
- Purchase Flash Professional from TechShop
- YouTube Best Practices for Nonprofit Organizations
RELATED WEBINARS
How to Prepare and Share Video Online (March 9, 2010)
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Suggested services and websites are for example only. United Methodist Communications neither endorses or guarantees the reliability or terms of use and services for these suggestions nor does it benefit in any way from listing the service or website as an example or by subsequent use of a third party directed from this site.