ExposureRoom - News - ExposureRoom Supports iPhone and other Mobile Devices

ExposureRoom Supports iPhone and other Mobile Devices	8votes
Posted by: Shiv Kumar	Views: 4060 Favorited: 0 Comments: 35

November 16, 2009 07:00 AM	Filed Under: New Feature Tags: iPhone

ExposureRoom Showcase Page on the iPhone

ExposureRoom does iPhone

I'm positive that everyone will be absolutely thrilled to hear that ExposureRoom now supports the iPhone and other mobile devices (and we do it better than anyone else).

We've been working really hard on a multitude of new features and enhancement that will be announced in due course and iPhone support is just a very small (but important) part of this. But nonetheless, we're really excited to make this announcement and I sure hope you all are as well.

I'd like to thank our members for asking/urging/insisting that we support mobile devices because it's when members ask that we see the need. I'd also like to thank the XR team who have been working day and night relentlessly building out these new features. I wish you all could see the enthusiasm with with they go about doing their work just because a member asked for a feature or someone needs help.

Back to the iPhone support. We've been producing iPhone versions of your videos since October of this year and at last count there were 43,000 odd videos that are iPhone compatible. We had filter criteria that excluded a lot of videos (more about that later). We've also converted all Editor's Choice videos (those e have the original uploaded asset) so you will have a quick and easy way to watch the best videos on ExposureRoom using your iPhone.

Do All Members get an iPhone version?

Yes, all members get an iPhone version. That's our stand today. This could change in the future. What we are certain about is that the professionals, amateurs and serious hobbyists will be covered. If we find people flocking to ExposureRoom because other websites don't provide them with an iPhone version or that only paying members get an iPhone version then we may change our stand, but the bulk of our members should not be affected.

Are ExposureRoom iPhone Videos Better?

You bet! We take video very seriously at ExposureRoom and since most of our members are professionals they demand the best video and audio quality possible and we're only too happy to oblige.

What you see today is what we call the low bandwidth iPhone version (480x270). The version is smaller and lower quality. but hang on, before you fret and fume, check out the videos below because even our low bandwidth iPhone version is far better than any other website. Both video and audio.

The video's below are cut versions of a recently uploaded video by Katya Nelhams-Wright. It's a beautiful video (We Will Remember Them - United Artists Remember), so please watch the complete video on her page and be sure to comment and rate it.

Pay close attention to audio and video quality.

iPhone Low on XR - Click on Image to play

iPhone on other websites - Click on Image to play

The low bandwidth version should work without a hitch when you're on your 3G network and will obviously work when you're on your local wireless network. The iPhone high bandwidth version will be larger (640x360) and will max out on the specs the iPhone can handle and will require a good 3G speed (all bars) or local wireless network. Mind you, the best quality an iPhone can handle is nowhere near what you see on ExposureRoom using a Web browser), but we believe both iPhone versions will be a "convenience" to those of you who need to show (or show off) your work to clients and prospects.

iPhone High Bandwidth Version - Click on Image to play

Oh yea, be sure to check out this and the other versions on your HD TV or Apple TV.

iPhone Compatible Embeds

This part is really cool. Those of you using the ExposureRoom Wordpress plug-in just got lucky. People browsing your website using an iPhone will automatically be presented with the iPhone version. You don't have to do a thing to make that happen.

Those of you looking to make your non-WordPress websites automatically iPhone compatible can start playing with a new embed tag we're releasing in beta. You can watch a video tutorial on it here
Javascript Embed Tag for iPhone Compatible Embeds

You can also get a sample html page that includes the JavaScript there as well. In time, we'll provide you with a GUI configurator that will produce any/all of the embed tags we provide.

Feature Recap

Everyone gets an iPhone version
Going forward, every video will have an iPhone version
What you see today is the iPhone Low
Very soon, we'll be introducing the iPhone High (everyone won't get this version)
Our video and audio quality (including the iPhone version) a far superior to other websites.
Wordpress plug-in user get automatic iPhone switching
We'll introduce a new kind of embed tags for those interested.

As regards the matter of videos that have already been uploaded (months/years ago) but are not iPhone compatible...If you are a professional, amateur or serious hobbyist, make your case and we'll definitely consider it.

While making your case, please keep in mind that we don't believe the iPhone or any mobile device is a replacement for a computer. iPhone support is primarily a convenience. Sure it would be "nice to have" all your videos converted, but is it a necessity in your case? If so, we'll bend over backwards; you can be assured of that.

As a reminder, please take a look at the original and complete version of We Will Remember Them - United Artists Remember. And please show your support on or after the 29th Nov.

Comments

Karel Bata

November 16, 2009 08:19 AM

Absolutely most excellent!

Do all the videos currently uploaded have an iPhone version now available? Or do we have to upload them again or something...?

Does the iPhone encoding work for any other mobiles?

Shiv Kumar

November 16, 2009 08:41 AM

Karel,

All videos? No, can't do that Karel, that's way too many. As the post mentions, we currently have about 43,000 and growing by the minute. From here on in every video will have an iPhone version.

If people start a re-upload frenzy it will hurt everyone. And that will be just too bad, because it will force us to take action immediately and pick and choose which videos get an iPhone version. Something we're hoping we won't have to do.

The videos we have today have been accumulated over a period of a year and a half. It will take a VERY long time to re-transcode them and for what purpose?

We say iPhone but it is really quite a few mobile phones such as those that use Windows mobile OS, Symbian OS and Android OS. But most phones support Flash so people can already watch online videos on the cell phones. Apple is the only vendor that refuses to allow Flash.

Charles Frisby

November 16, 2009 11:19 AM

I'm absolutely thrilled. I've had client's need reference several times when in the field and have been stuck. Now that I have this as an option, I don't have create an iPhone version of my videos or resort to YouTube (yuck).

Now I'm off to create a mobile website to host my fresh XR iPhone Videos. Thank's XR for working hard to keep us working hard....

Does that make sense? ;)

Phil Hanna

November 16, 2009 11:24 AM

Thanks for a great improvement to an already excellent site

You guys rock. Apple could take some lessons from you!

Phil

Shiv Kumar

November 16, 2009 11:27 AM

Thank you Charles!

I think you meant, "Thanks XR for working hard so we don't have to" - or something to that effect :)

By the way, Charles don't put too much effort into you mobile website....that's all I can say at this time.

Have you looked at using Wordpress? It's a really great tool.

Charles Frisby

November 16, 2009 12:02 PM

Oh Shiv... Your so subtle ;)

You guys making it easier for us helps us get more work done which makes us busier in the end... It's a conundrum!!!

I've used WP for a blog in the past... But now I just host my own site and use XR. I do use the Facebook and myspace options though, and they work great! And you guys made it to the iPhone before either of them!

Marcel Garbi

November 16, 2009 01:04 PM

!

Big hug

Tony M

November 16, 2009 04:28 PM

Thank you for the constantr improvement!

Glenn Thomas

November 16, 2009 05:46 PM

I misunderstood this at first and thought you were allowing videos shot on an iphone to be uploaded here :)

Good work at implementing this Shiv! Although I'm on Windows Mobile device myself with a 320x240 screen and only 100mb of bandwidth a month. So 2 or 3 videos and I would probably be over my monthly limit.

Ron Coker

November 16, 2009 06:13 PM

Shiv, Power to you & team. Congratulations.

Joe Simon Productions

November 16, 2009 06:31 PM

Sweet!

Dynamo Duo

November 16, 2009 07:03 PM

Bloody Brilliant!

Henrik Helms

November 17, 2009 12:47 PM

Good work!

This is a BIG improvement, to the XR - congrats!

Grant Harper

November 18, 2009 03:41 PM

Embed Code

Fantastic! When do we get the new embed code for our normal websites? Im excited and ready to go.

Shiv Kumar

November 19, 2009 11:14 AM

Thank you all for your excitement and kind words. The team is really thrilled to say the least.

Charles Frisby

November 24, 2009 12:54 PM

Embedded on my site...

I recently re-embbeded all of the video's on my site for iPhone Compatibility. Shiv did a tutorial recently on embedding the iPhone compitbale video's via Java script.

My site: Grunge Productions
Shiv's Tutorial Video
The Sample Html File

I did not use the "Title" or "Description" enabler since my site's layout did not mesh with the execution, but the "View on ExposureRoom" link works fine and opens in a new window/tab as I prefer it.

I used Expression Web 2 or Frontpage 2003... can't remember which, but any HTML editor works.

Stoney El-Abd

November 26, 2009 12:53 AM

My Own Video Won't Play on iPhone...

Shiv, I'm stoked as I'm a recent iPhone Convert. However, today I had a client from a major record label, that is temporarily sans internet, try to view a cut of a video I edited from his iPhone and it wouldn't play. I tried to view it on my jailbroken iPhone with the same result. Is there a special criteria, spec to ensure compatibility? Video plays fine on my tower, just not the phone. My Safari Download plugin pops up with the option to dl or view in the media player when I click the video url, but clicking either option doesn't do anything. I'm thinking this may be the culprit, but then again the client was unsuccessful in his attempt to view it on a non-jailbroken iPhone. I'm perplexed since I thought every new video was supposed to receive at least an iPhone low version. Cheers.

Shiv Kumar

November 26, 2009 12:57 AM

Yup, every video since the day of the announcement gets an iPhone version as well.

Can you view the iPhone versions on this page? There are 3 videos here. Also, when you browse a specific video's page using an iPhone what do you see?

Michael B. McGee

December 01, 2009 01:09 AM

"Other Mobile Devices"

the title to this post mentions "Other Mobile Devices". are there specific devices other than the iphone or do you mean any phone with web capability? i have a Google/Android phone(MyTouch 3G) that doesn't accept Adobe Flash. sounds like i won't be able to view these amazing videos on my cell. note to Android Xmas shoppers.

Shiv Kumar

December 01, 2009 06:47 AM

Micheal,

The videos should be Android compatible. The mobile versions of the videos are not Flash video obviously since th iPhone does not support Flash anything. So you should be able to view these videos on your Android OS phone.

Note that Adobe has released a new Flash player that every mobile phone and device will be using by the first quarter of 2010 (except) the iPhone (of course).

Michael B. McGee

December 01, 2009 01:59 PM

For embedded or videos on ER?

Shiv,
First of all i want to admit that i'm not very savvy with web video, but i'm learning at a rapid pace. so, with that said, I'm a little confused. These new "iPhone" versions are only available for embedded videos to be placed on our personal websites/blogs not our ER homepage/s? am i right or wrong?

Ian Smith

December 08, 2009 06:06 AM

Awesome features and implementation - thanks!

I've just checked out the iPhone functionality and it was stupidly simple to implement. This is an awesome enhancement to the system.

I now have the ability to have the user access HD or iPhone video from my own simple web pages, and can simply add instructions to direct the user to ExposureRoom if they want to download the original video rather than the transcoded version. This is pretty amazing stuff, given what your competitors offer.

With your superb support on top you've got the other video hosting services beaten.

You guys should be offering this iPhone/HD embedding support as a premium service - I'd be happy to pay for it, especially given that your support when there are problems is second to none.

If you could just tidy up the navigation system (I could never find the link to "Forums" when I wanted it - not on "Home" or "My Home", although I've now sussed the trick is to go to exposureroom.com rather than my own member pages to get the link displayed) you'd be PERFECT ;-)

Anyway, just wanted to say "Thanks". You just made the best even better!

Ian

Chas briggs

December 28, 2009 10:22 PM

You rock

I want to tell all the hard working people that work on this site and run EX Room you are doing a great job and I really love the site May you all have a great new year and thank you from the bottom of my heart for something so good and so cheap FREE lol we all should join in and say thank you for a job very well done (((HUGS))) to you all.

HAPPY 2010

theo rossi

December 29, 2009 02:41 AM

iPhone question

Am not sure if I understand how one can see iPhone video from my webpage embed.

I checked on it and don't show anything... not even an image of the thumbnail. Did I miss something?

Check it out with your iPone or iTouch-3g and see.
www.fotosafariclub.com

So, is there a special code I have to insert on my webpage for iPhone to see the videos?

thanks

theo

Charles Frisby

December 29, 2009 03:02 AM

@Theo
Look up a few comments to mine. I linked to all kinds of stuff for embedding fr iPhone.

theo rossi

December 29, 2009 02:36 PM

Charles..

I saw the links...

The HTML page sample is in error: "Please Provide a valid Asset Id"
So, I don't see anything but a blank page.

Edit:
Actually I have blank samples on this forum page as well.... no video samples what Shiv posted. I have the latest Flash installed.

Charles Frisby

December 29, 2009 10:14 PM

Hmmmm. What shows up on the browser (on your computer) is Flash.... but it's executed on the page via Java Script. You may need to upgrade the Java Script. What Browser are you using? Do all of the regularly embedded videos on XR show up?

Shiv Kumar

January 04, 2010 05:32 PM

@Chas,

Thank you! We love it when member's show their appreciation.

@Theo,
You need to use the script embed tags and not the regular embed tags. In the original post there is a link for Javascript embed tags and a video tutorial you can watch to see how it works.

theo rossi

January 12, 2010 02:40 AM

Still no luck

AM using Win XP SP3 and Flash is updated automatically.
So, I don't know why am seeing blank boxes here.

Thanks for the suggestions :)

BTW, some of my video plays real nice on the iPod G3. Other videos not encoded... but it's OK.

Shiv Kumar

January 18, 2010 01:33 PM

Theo,

If you switch to Chrome or Firefox or Safari (on Windows) you'll see more than blank boxes. Mind you what is embeded here is not the normal embed so the videos here are not about the automatic switching but rather the iPhone version only.

Jeremy Saville

January 20, 2010 03:22 PM

Shiv, love this on the iPhone, but it doesn't work on the Droid. I just checked. What's the reason for this, and can we get it fixed? Thanks so much for the great work so far. Stuff looks awesome on my iPhone. Howevere it's really essential that all smartphone users can access it.

Will MacNeil

January 23, 2010 06:14 AM

I can't see any video on my iPhone

I must be doing something wrong. I can't seem to see any of the videos above or anywhere else in Exposure Room on my iPhone. I just see a blank space where there used to be a player with the flash download link inside. Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks (looking forward to using this when I've got it working)

W

Jeremy Saville

January 23, 2010 01:35 PM

Make sure you have JavaScript enabled on your iPhone in the safari settings.

Will MacNeil

January 23, 2010 03:26 PM

Thanks. JavaScript was switched off. I've turned it on, reset Safari's cache etc. But still no video. Any other thoughts?

Thanks a ton. W

Will MacNeil

January 23, 2010 06:17 PM

Scratch that. It's working now! I tried two other things: a hard reset (hold down home and power buttons until the phone switches itself off) and turning on plugins in the safari settings. I don't know which of those things did it, but I'm up and running.

It looks great! Well done Exposure Room.

Thanks, Will.