Video Encoding & Still Frames
To get high quality FLV output, it's best to start with a high bit rate source video file. Ideally, this would be an uncompressed AVI, MOV (QuickTime), or MPEG 4.
Work directly with Cisco TV to process video files, video tapes or DVDs via their Global Request Form: http://wwwin.cisco.com/it/services/ciscotv/ctv-request-form.shtml
On the request form, click the "Start a new request" button at the bottom-left. Then select "Media Processing: Video only to media file or VoD". You can also email them at: ciscotv-projects@cisco.com
FLV Encoding Settings (recommended)
- Video Codec: On2 VP6
- Video Bit Rate: 500 kbps
- Frame Rate: Same as source
- Audio Codec: MP3
- Audio Bit Rate: 96 kbps
- Video Dimensions: 480x360 (for 4:3 aspect ratio) or 480x270 (for 16:9 aspect ratio)
Still Frame
For your still frame, play the FLV file using any free FLV Player and do a screen capture of an appropriate frame. Or copy a frame from the source video using QuickTime or another video editing program. Resize the still frame to the same dimensions as the video (480x360 or 480x270) and publish the files.
Publishing Video Files
Publish the video (FLV) and still frame (JPG) via CCEWP to the "CDC Content Admin" branch. Place files in an appropriate sub-directory of /cdc_content_elements/embedded-video/ (create a new sub-directory if necessary).
All Video Data Sheets should be placed into /cdc_content_elements/embedded-video/video-data-sheets/.
We recommend that you append any flv with the CIS# if known (such as asa-5580-CIS-76866.flv). Such a number will exist for any project done by CiscoTV and can be found in the url when they deliver video files.
Example URL from CiscoTV: \\171.71.88.155\shared\cmn_projects\01_08_2008_CIS-77812_Custom_Video_Data_Sh
The CIS# in this example is CIS-77812.
Embedding Code
The Addvid Script is the current video embedding code that requires less HTML coding for web developers and provides error checking. Details and sample code can be found here: http://www.cisco.com/cdc_content_elements/scripts/addvid/docs.html.
See the Legacy Code page for help with embedded video using earlier version of code or for any instance when Addvid Script can't be used.
Video Dimensions on Web Page (includes control bar height: 20 pixels)
These are the actual width and height used on the web page - NOT the size of the video or jpg files themselves. Always follow the FLV Encoding Settings listed above for video file creation. The embedded video player scales the flv and jpg down to the appropriate size.
4:3 Aspect Ratio
- Lightbox 480 x 380
- Large 320 x 260
- Medium 240 x 200
- Small 164 x 143
16:9 Aspect Ratio (Widescreen)
- Lightbox 480 x 290
- Large 320 x 200
- Medium 240 x 155
- Small 164 x 112
NOTE: The small size is not recommended for videos with screenshots, graphics or other detailed information. Small size does NOT support legible captions
Captions
The Cisco embedded video player displays closed captions from Timed Text (DFXP) XML files (example: http://www.cisco.com/cdc_content_elements/embedded-video/video-data-sheets/nexus_5000_CIS-77671-captions-US.xml).
See Embedding Code for details on how to display captions.
Captions are created for all Video Data Sheets by the embedded video team. If you need to create your own captions, we recommend AutomaticSync Technologies.
Final Step
Email the url for your preview or recently published live page with a new Video Data Sheet to embeddedvideo@external.cisco.com so we can:
- QA the code and catch any tracking mistakes
- Add the video to our inventory spreadsheet
- Create captions for Video Data Sheets
- Publish new Video Data Sheets to 3rd party video sites
Additional Resources
Embedded Video Community Alias
embeddedvideo@external.cisco.com
Official Site of SWFObject
http://blog.deconcept.com/swfobject/
JW Media Player Official Site
http://www.jeroenwijering.com/?item=JW_FLV_Media_Player
about usage guidelines for Embedded Videos. 