incomplete video d/l's

[zoobie]

Hey -

I've just noticed my video site has tons of 206 status' that means the d/l has been stopped (partial d/l).

Then, I tried to right click and save one myself and it ends prematurely after only 500kb or so of a 9mb file. Another 206...

Anything to smooth this out? I can't even d/l my own video. Don't wanna stream.

May have to embed a player...but does the thread on embedding wmp work with non-streamed video? I tried and couldn't get it to work...just started d/l'ing over and over again after pointing to www.site.com/video/android.wmv.

Looking for different methods as this isn't working too well.

Can't ask users to get a ftp client just to view videos...

Thanks for comments and suggestions.

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Maybe your server is only setup to allow a certain amount of bandwidth to be used per download? Can you link us to the site. I want to see if I can get the a video to see maybe if it was just certain users or what.

[zoobie]

I used the 'right click and save' method 3 months ago and it seemed to work fine most of the time...other times, there were network errors.

www.BuskerCentral.com/video.php

Now, all I'm getting is around 500kb...it varies...when the d/l is terminated

Thx

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

I just downloaded art366.wmv in full. 2817kb :confused:
I downloaded fire_dancer.wmv as well. What browser do the majority of your users use? I'm using FF1.5 and they seem to download fine only by right clicking on them and hitting save as though. Actually going to them by clicking on the link should popup a download box but it doesn't, that could be an issue with FF though not your site.

[zoobie]

The majority of visitors use IE (89%) and FF (6%)
I use IE for testing.

Everyone but me it seems can get them...

Thanks

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Yeah worked fine in IE as well. Maybe there is a server issue currently being resolved?

[zoobie]

No server probs...had a big day of over 500mb d/l'ed recently...
Never figured this one out...

1/4th of my visitors get partials, too

Thx

PS - In your embeded thread, does the media have to be streaming? I don't think so but couldn't get that to work either without prematurely completing and ended up with a partial...another 206

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

No it doesn't have to be streaming but using the WMP code the file will have to download completely first in order to play. Maybe you could think about converting your videos into flv format. Users won't be able to play them but you could make a flv player on your site. flv stands for flash video. File size will decrease but quality should still be okay. Since you have a lot of videos you would need to mass convert them. Flash 8 comes with a flash video encoder that you can do mass conversions to flv format.

[zoobie]

Yes...flash...I don't like that at all and I found the files larger.

The (right now) best method for viewers to actually see the video seems to be the (recommended by videohelp.com) d/l then play as many times as you want method.

Streaming is annoying for dial-up users.

Thx

[zoobie]

I have this theory....call it crazy...but it doesn't explain why 1/4th visitors also have incomplete d/l's.

I right click as usual...and the d/l starts. Of course, I already have this file in my box. Windows is, in the meantime, rooting around and notices the same file already on my box and gets confused. It then terminates the d/l...

With this theory, Windows is a living breathing entity with a mind of it's own...