I need a better understanding of video file types to render your videos to. I've been using MP4, for videos that I upload to YouTube. I see Ed used MOV. What file type creates the smallest file sizes and highest quality videos?

I'm still learning more and more about the video file formats too. From the info I have gleened, MOV is a quicktime format, which seems to be universal on youtube..... the MP4 is a format that allows a video to be played on a wide variety of devices... for example, all the cinema movies on my home server are in MP4 format....this allows me to play them on any of the TVs in the house, any computer, an even on my iphone.

Looking at the quality/sizes, I can't really see any major differences.....I learned yesterday that for youtube videos its about the length, rather then the file size. Youtube has a number of different "levels" of users.....for guys like me who on the bottom step/tier, I can't upload anything longer then 15 mins. So much to learn <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

As ABS Webmaster and administrator for the ABS YouTube Channel, I have received many different video file formats from our members and others over the years to produce the 100 videos I uploaded to our Channel. There are many popular video file formats and some of the video formats that I have received are MP4, AVI, WMV, and MOV. Last weekend, I received four video clips from South Africa in the WMV file format and converted them to MOV file formats so I could work with the files on Apple's Final Cut Pro X. Before I switched over to Apple's professional level Final Cut Pro X software, I used several different Windows platform video editing software applications that produced MP4 files. I have never noticed any difference in performance quality or significant difference in file size between MP4 and MOV video files.

MOV was originally developed by Apple as a file format for its QuickTime player. The MP4 file format was developed later and was based on the MOV file format. The two video file formats are very similar. I can convert a video file from MOV to MP4 or MP4 to MOV without having to re-encode the video.

Thanks Dan. Just knowing a little more about MOV and MP4 files helps. Though, you lost me with the term, re-encode. LOL!! I'm looking forward to reading your upcoming posts.

There is a GoPro user's forum that may answer a lot of the questions on the use of this camera. I've checked it out a little, but haven't had time to really get into the posts there.

GoPro Fanatics Forum

I've got the Hero3+ Silver camera. I bought it just before they came out with the Hero4 model. My camera has some video modes that are not listed in the current specs shown on the GoPro web site for the Hero3+. I've got 1440p, 2.7K and 4K cinema settings on my camera. Maybe mine was a transition version, just before they came out with the Hero4?

Below is a link to the GoPro web site.

GoPro Cameras

Thanks, everyone, for their input.

Dan, I'm sitting here holding my breath until you get the post written!

<img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//unsure.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' />

|quoted:

Thanks, everyone, for their input.

Dan, I'm sitting here holding my breath until you get the post written!

<img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//unsure.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' />

I'm sitting here trying to find all the pieces of my brain after it exploded........Thanks to everyone who has submitted information here.

Hi all,

Caught this topic a little late, but would like to add some input. As I have not made videos, my input comes as a viewers perspective only.

There are several things I notice in most videos, most not all:

Most videos I have seen give enough information to grab your attention, yet the details are incomplete or not provided at all, which results in confusion/frustration of the viewer.

This may be reduced or alleviated by:

1. Starting with a thorough script of what you wish to convey. Perhaps use a story board behind the camera, with the details in the same order as the script to refer to as you go.

2. Keep in mind that many viewers watch these videos due to being new or inexperienced makers, provide details which you may feel are unnecessary for your video. No such thing as too much info.

I realize youtube videos have time limits, but they can be divided into several videos for a comprehensive and thorough production. No offense but an incomplete video isn't worth watching.

3. Provide a list of suppliers, etc. at the end.

#2 brings me to my second recommendation:

1. When making multiple videos, please be sure and name them appropriately, in order to make finding them easier.

An example is one of my favorite makers videos. He has a lot of videos on YT and they are very good videos, detailed, well thought out, with good audio and video.

However, to go back and find a particular video that you want to watch again, is akin to pulling hen's teeth. Numerous times I have tried to find a specific video only to give up.

2. Keep title short and direct. If you notice on YT looking at anyones group of videos you see "John Smith Master smith.. How to make a.......". "John Smith Master smith.. Forging the.......".

Next up, Audio Quality: This sooo overlooked in videos/DVD's today. I have resolved myself to not purchase any more DVD's, simply because of the audio quality.

A standard camera with microphone built in just doesn't work when someone is trying to talk while running a power hammer, grinder, hammering on the anvil, forge roaring in the background, etc., etc..

1. Perhaps try explaining what you will do in the video, then do the work, then recap.

2. If at all possible use a wireless clip on microphone. this alone will do wonders.

3. Closed captions for us HOH types would be great, but I realize this probably isn't going to happen.

Video quality:

1. In todays world HD would be best, and I must say that the video quality has improved greatly from what they once were.

These are merely a few of my own personal observations. They are not intended to to discredit or disrespect anyone and I hope they are not taken that way.

I am grateful to each and every one of you guys that are willing to make videos and share them with us less experienced knife makers.

Thank you.

Posted August 27, 2015 at 08:45 AM on the Topic of the Month for August 2015

So what processing did you put it through before posting? I assume you still had to resize and compress?

Joshua States

www.dosgatosforge.com

Joshua

I am posting my reply here so as not to distract from the August Topic of the Month.

I shot the photo that you asked about with my Nikon D7100 using a Nikon DX 55-300mm lens. The original photo file was 6mg. I used Adobe Photoshop CC to reduce the file size to 1000 x 800 and about 110kb. Even at 110kb the photo shows the detail of the moon and mountains at dawn.

Apple recently released Final Cut Pro X 10.3 which is the latest version of their professional video editing software. I used it recently to edit a video for the ABS YouTube Channel and was impressed by the additional new and powerful features in this software. To learn more about the features in the new version 10.3, click: https://www.apple.co...-pro/whats-new/

Final Cut Pro X 10.3 - Lesson on new features video clip, Click: https://www.youtube....h?v=tTJ6Gmah8n4

[media] http://www.youtube.c...h?v=tTJ6Gmah8n4 [/media]

Adding Music and Sound to FCPx

Vimeo Video School tutorial on adding sound ( music, sound effects, and voice overs) to your video in Final Cut Pro X.

Click: https://vimeo.com/blog/post/ep-12-adding-music-and-sound