How to do video downloads?

[dmchr5]

Sorry if this has been answered, I would think others would need direction with this too, but I couldn't find anything.

I'm thrilled that I as a total website builder-beginner have been able to get my zen-cart up and running and looking great. But I need some very basic instructions on how to do this (since I'm pretty clueless when it comes to this.)

I need to offer a free video download that's about an hour long. I only want registered users to be able to access it. Streamed video is preferable, I think, but not if it's lots more difficult. Currently I have the video on DVD.

What format do I need it to be in (and how do it I get it there?) I'm assuming either .wmv or .flv are probably the most common. Do I need a player on my website? or is it easier to allow a windows media player file download and have them watch it on their own computer?

Thanks for any very specific instructions you can give me!

[tony_sar]

Video compression is not as easy some would hope for.
First thing you need to know , is how much bandwidth you have.
How fast the server you are hosting your video is .

if you want to stream your video , chance are that you may need Communication server .. or media server , as those server can figure clients bandwidth and transfer the stream according to their computer. ( this is optional )

what would be the quality that you want to offer your clients , ? ( dvd quality , CD, quality or something lower resolution )

if you like to offer very good quality stream or download . you need to start with very high quality video .

you have to know if your movie has lots of action or is talking head . that means either camera and scenes changes fast or not .

then you have to figure , the bitrates, key frames and frame size that you need to use to convert .

there are more , but some program either offer those and some don't .

There are tons of compression tools out there on the net . once you know what format you want to go , you can look for the right tools .
majority of those tools can convert your video without you setting anything and will give decent quality .. and again , all depends on file size , bandwidth issues , etc etc.. that pushing people to create very low resolution video on the net .


i suggest to start by reading about compression and how things works and download few demo tools and give them a try.