Streaming Videos and New High-Quality Formats

We’ve recently started encoding videos with the h.264 (aka QuickTime 7) codec, which has superior quality. We recommend you use the VLC Player to play the videos, as it’s faster and works on most platforms. You can also use our built-in flash player, or Apple’s QuickTime player for Mac or Windows. We are discontinuing the AVI/XviD format, and instead offering WMV for those who want something that works out of the box in Windows Media Player. Note that the h.264 / QuickTime videos will look better, even when they’re smaller – so use them if you can.

Also, we’re trying out streaming videos using Flash – just like you see on YouTube. The streaming is offered in low and medium quality (chose the best one that your internet connection can handle!), and you can seek around in the file just like with a downloaded file. If you have the newest Adobe Flash Player, you can also view the h.264 / QuickTime videos that way – that’s the ‘High Quality’ streaming option. Currently the player has to download the whole file before it starts playing, but it’s still a good option if you don’t want to install VLC or QuickTime.

Older videos are still in the old formats, we’re working on reencoding them, but this takes a lot of time, so be patient. We’re spending too much money on hot photos and videos for you, so we can’t afford to upgrade to faster computers! ;)

Note: The streaming Flash system (and to some degree the QuickTime videos) are still a bit experimental, so drop us a note in the suggestion box to the left if you have any problems or suggestions. Actually, drop us a note even if you don’t have problems, and tell us how you like it!