stm's dashboard

stm replied on July 28, 2009 22:53 to the question "Embedding a private video..." in Motionbox:

Well, although this isn't a criticial issue for me, I'll voice the feature request: Domain-specific embedding rules, so we can specify what domains can embed our videos. Just like Vimeo did

Thanks!

A comment on the question "Embedded toggle between HD and SD video?" in Motionbox:

Hi Mark, check out my reply on my blog. Hope that helps. – stm, on May 24, 2009 16:16

stm replied on April 24, 2009 15:31 to the question "Specify exact encoding setting for h.264" in Motionbox:

I've always used Main. I haven't experimented much though.

This page is a good read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.264

-Sebastian

stm replied on April 23, 2009 22:07 to the question "Specify exact encoding setting for h.264" in Motionbox:

Rav, what are you shooting with and what mode?

I'll try to answer your questions, but I'm still learning this stuff.

1. yes, 1280x720 will give you output that matches Motionbox's HD. That said, even when I render at full 1920x1080 the motionbox playback looks great. It's just a bigger file, so unless you need it for later download, use 1280x720.

Note that although your camera technically records at 1440x1080, it's aspect ratio is such that you render at 16:9, which is 1920x1080 or 1280x720.

2. Field order refers to the interlacing of your source video. If you shoot in 60i (aka 30fps interlaced), you likely want "upper field first". However if you shoot as I do in 30P (progressive, not interlaced) on my HV30, select "None".

3. Reference frames I leave at the default (2).

4. No, you don't want the deblocking filter in all likelyhood.

5. I use VBR, and for 720p I use a max of 7mbps, and an average of 5mbps. (7,000,000 and 5,000,000 respectively) I find that this is about the sweet spot for quality vs size. I don't like artifacts! This is totally up to you though, so experiment!

Otherwise, your 720p render settings look just like mine.

Oh, and use "Good" on the 'project' tab quality setting. Evidently High is not something you want/need, it only extends your render time unnecessarily.

Hope this helps.

A comment on the question "Can I control HD embedding?" in Motionbox:

The only instance I know is on the signup page I linked above. "Unlimited Video Sharing". The references to unlimited downloads might be clearer though that that doesn't apply to "plays". I guess in general it'd be good to be really up front with the limitations, although it's spelled out pretty well on the help page if one goes looking.

And FWIW, the limits in place seem appropriate for the stated audience of friends and family. – stm, on March 12, 2009 18:34

stm replied on March 12, 2009 15:43 to the question "Can I control HD embedding?" in Motionbox:

Thanks Art, I see the blurb there now:

"Limitations on embedded plays: While Motionbox Premium membership is designed for personal use, we do have subscribers who use this service in a professional or hobbysit capacity. We encourage Premium members to post both SD and HD content on your blogs, profile pages, or websites, but this subscription does not include unlimited bandwidth. Premium members are entitled to 500 plays per video (up to 5000 total embedded plays) per month, regardless of quality (SD or HD). If you intend to embed your videos on a very high-traffic blog or website, you may wish to contact our business team to discuss payment options for extra bandwidth privileges."

stm replied on March 12, 2009 15:37 to the question "Can I control HD embedding?" in Motionbox:

Matt, sorry then, I have a Premium membership, wasn't aware there was a Pro version.

Anita, that link doesn't work for me. I haven't seen any mention of playback limitations.

I understand the spirit of your TOS, and I'm certainly comfortable with it, but the site does state that sharing is unlimited, even with Basic. So some clarification on the limits in place would be welcome, and on what happens when they're reached.

Thanks :)
Sebastian

A comment on the question "Can I control HD embedding?" in Motionbox:

Hi Matt, not trying to beat a dead horse, but I guess I just don't understand how you're paying for the bits.

With Motionbox, it doesn't matter how many times people play my HD videos, or what sites they play them from. All I pay is the flat yearly membership fee. All usage/plays/embeds are unlimited with that membership. – stm, on March 12, 2009 00:04

A comment on the question "Can I control HD embedding?" in Motionbox:

But Motionbox is unlimited, both storage and bandwidth. Oh, but are there different plans for AOL or Bebo customers? Maybe that's the difference I'm not aware of. – stm, on March 11, 2009 23:31

stm replied on March 11, 2009 19:48 to the question "Can I control HD embedding?" in Motionbox:

Vimeo had to introduce site specific embed control because they went with a pay-per-play model.

Motionbox isn't crippled by the same pay-per-play model, so embed control isn't needed to protect a 'bank' of plays.

Privacy would be the only other reason I can see offhand for site-specific embed control. I'd support this, because most of my stuff gets embedded on one site, and it's a private site. It might be nice to know no one could paste the embed code elsewhere and have it work.

On the other hand, this would be a pretty darn low priority for me. I'd much rather have the other stuff being discussed take priority, like player improvements.

stm replied on February 20, 2009 01:36 to the question "Can I customize the Player Color? Can Embedded Videos be Downloaded?" in Motionbox:

And since I've also harped on #1, let me just say: I'm so excited at the prospect of custom colors I'm going to toast you all tonight over a lovely chilled beverage.

Sebastian

stm replied on February 20, 2009 01:34 to the question "Can I customize the Player Color? Can Embedded Videos be Downloaded?" in Motionbox:

I know I've mentioned this before, so no need to respond Mona et al, but I'm reallyreallyreally interested in #2.

Ideally it should be optional via a param in the embed code.

stm replied on February 13, 2009 19:01 to the idea "Improve the Site Navigation" in Motionbox:

+1 on Art's comments here!

stm replied on February 13, 2009 18:59 to the praise "Good job on the new player!" in Motionbox:

Agree on the colors, need to mute them or make them customizable. :)

stm replied on February 13, 2009 18:57 to the praise "Great job on the redesigned folders page" in Motionbox:

I'd rather have tags than folders. Then a folder-like interface for navigating tags. Best of both worlds, without the limitations of exclusive folder hierarchies.

stm replied on January 17, 2009 21:49 to the idea "Link to the parent folder" in Motionbox:

Cool, looking forward to the new digs!

stm shared an idea in Motionbox on January 17, 2009 20:12:

Link to the parent folder

When looking at a video page, there's no easy way to go to the parent folder. I can go to the all-folders page, but it would be nice to have a breadcrumb or similar so I could go straight back to the folder the video is contained in.

stm replied on January 17, 2009 20:09 to the question "Upload speed" in Motionbox:

Working great for me over the various connections I frequent. Still love the MXU! It's clean, simple and gets the job done.

stm replied on January 09, 2009 19:54 to the question "Sudden responses for past mobile uploads?" in Motionbox:

Thanks Anita, that explains it.

Yes, I'll continue to use the mobile feature, and I'll be more vocal if it's not working right. I had assumed it was something on my end and gave up :)

Sebastian

stm asked a question in Motionbox on January 09, 2009 17:05:

Sudden responses for past mobile uploads?

This morning I received a bunch of automated emails from MB regarding past mobile uploads that I'd attempted from a couple of different email accounts. They were the normal messages I'd expect to get after uploading, only a month or three late.

I had just assumed that they didn't make it and forgot about them. Instead it looks like there was just a blockage somewhere at MB.

Am I nuts? :)