Q; How do I send a video through email?

There are four basic methods to send a video through email; 

1.  Send a video as an attached file.

2.  Send a streaming video email

3. Upload and send.

4. Send a link to a 'hosted' video

The attachment method sends the video as a file attached to a regular text email.  It is recommended only for very short videos, typically 2 or 3 megabytes or shorter.   The recipient will have to wait for the entire video to download before attempting to watch it; this might require a wait of more than an hour.

The streaming video method of video email only sends a tiny bit of information to the recipient which instructs their computer how to view the video email.   Videos up to 6 hours long may be sent by this method. Although it appears that the video is in the email, it is actually an automatic link.  The recipient may begin watching the video within seconds of clicking the link.

The upload method is very similar to streaming.  The upload method is best for pre-recorded video, especially very large videos, up to 4,000 megabyte.  As in the streaming method, the recipient does not have to wait for the entire video to download to begin watching it.

The link to a hosted video method is quite simple, though if you are fairly new to computers it might take a little practice to get it right.  Overall it is a very reliable way to send a video and you do not  have to be concerned about filling up the recipients inbox.  However if the site that hosts the video has a lot of advertising it may take some patience to get through to it.

1.  Procedure to send a video email as an attachment:

The first step to send a video email as an attachment is to start your video capture program and record videos with your webcam.  Then you save the file on your hard drive.  Be sure to give it a meaningful name and make note of where you saved the file in the next step.  Next, start your email program and create a new text message.  Then click on the button to "attach file", and when prompted, find the file you saved, click on it and follow the instructions to attach the file.  Then your ISP (internet service provider) will send the email with the attachment to the addressee.   Any decent quality video of a minute will be approximately 6 million bytes.  Unless the recipient has that much empty space in his inbox, the video email will be rejected.  You will be notified that it was refused, and then you can try to send it again.
   Once the addressee recieves your email, they will see that it has an attachment.  They can then click on the attachment and wait for it to download to their hard drive.  Now that they have received the entire file they can view the video, using any popular viewing program, such as Windows Media Player.   After you hear back from your addressee that they have successfully seen the video that you sent, you need to go back and delete this video file from your hard disk.  If you do not do this, you will soon find that your hard drive is overfilled with old, out-of-date, un-needed video files.  Be sure to remind the addressee to periodically peruse their hard drive and erase all of the video files that the do not wish to keep saving.

Often, you can save a great deal of time and make your video much smaller. Many digital photography cameras that also record video, record it in a format called "AVI".  AVI is a very simple way of recording video.  It is high quality, it does not require super-fast processors, but it does take up a lot of space.  When you save your video from your camera to your computer, look at the name of the video; does it end with  .AVI ?  If so, then you can use Microsoft MovieMaker(r) to make it smaller.  Since the early days of Windows XP(r) computers have been shipped with this program. It might not be 'on your desktop', but it is probably already installed in your computer.  Run Moviemaker(r) and then use the 'import video' function to edit the movie you shot with your camera.  Then click 'save as', choose a new name, and choose one of the formats suggested.  For most video you want to email, try 256k first and see how you like that format.

Notes on sending video as an attachment:

• you must know what internet access speed the recipient has
• you must know the limit on the size of the recipient's mailbox
• you need to know whether the recipient prefers to use flash, quicktime or media player
• you must regularly delete old email videos from your hard disk
• after sending, you must ask the recipient if they received your video
• if the video will be more than 40 seconds long, you must find a server to host your video
• the recipient can copy and save your video and then send it on as if it was his work

2. Procedure to send a streaming video email:

To send a streaming video email is much quicker and simpler.  Simply go to your webpage, click on 'send new video message'.  Record your video, enter the name of the addressee and click send.   Then the servers store your video and send the text portion of your email to the recipient.   The text portion of your email is sent to your recipient, so there is no possibility that the video will clog up his/her email inbox.  When the addressee opens your email he will see a graphic filmstrip.   If they desire to watch your video at this time, they click on the filmstrip and watch your video email.   Another magic thing happens at this time.  The servers will determine the connection speed of the internet connection that your addressee is using and send the best video for that speed.   The video is not loaded onto their hard disk, so there is no need to keep deleting old video files.

Comparing attachments versus streaming video

• Streaming video does not fill up the senders hard drive
• Streaming video does not fill up the addressee's hard drive
• Streaming video sends the highest quality video suitable for your addressee's internet connection.  The best video for your recipients type of connection will be automatically used.
• Streaming video emails are much easier to create and send
• Streaming video takes less time to send
• Streaming video takes less time to view
• Attachment video emails are suitable for people that only send one or two emails per year.
• If you are interested in video email, you can earn $$ by becoming a reseller.  Prior experience is not required.  We do all the billing and send you your commissions. For more information click here.  Start earning today.

3. Sending a video by the 'upload method'

The upload method is best for pre-recorded video, especially very large videos, up to 4,000 megabyte.

• Log in to your account
• click 'mediaF5'
• click 'upload file'
• select the file from your computer, then click 'upload' - maximum size is 4,000 megabytes (that's a video about 4 hours long)
• Go back to the mail window and click 'new email
• Add address, subject, text etc and then click 'add media'
• Select the video you wish to send and click

The email will be sent to your recipient.  It will appear to the recipient as though your video is included in the email.  However, just like the streaming method, this is actually only a link to your video.  So the overall email size will still only be a few kilobytes.

4. Send a link to a 'hosted' video

A 'hosted' video is a video that already exists on a website.  A very common example is a video on Youtube(r).  To send one of these videos, it is easiest to simply send a link in an email. 

During, or after, viewing the video, look for a button or link called "share" or "link to this video" and click it.  You will then see a string of text that begins with http://www.    Copy that whole string of text and paste it into the email you are sending.   The procedure to "copy" and "paste" the link will vary a little bit by computer and website, but here is the general procedure.

These instructions assume you are right-handed.   Right click your mouse over the text for the link; a small menu will appear.  Now left click on 'copy'.   Now go to your email and left-click your mouse in the text you are sending to place your cursor where you want the link.  Then 'right-click' your mouse, select 'paste' and left-click paste.   The link will be inserted into your email.

Why is ComF5(r)  the world leader in streaming video email ?

• Change you level of service up or down
• No 'start-up cost'
• No long term 'contracts'.  Pay only by the month
• Add video to your web pages
• Each email you send will guide customers to your website
• Plans start at $9.95 per month

Would you like more information about sending video email, live video broadcasting or even using video and email lists to promote your business or club?  Complete the form below.

 Video Email and Live Video Broadcasting for Consumers

Video Email and Live Video Broadcasting for Enterprise

With video email, you record and send your messsage at your convenience.  And the recipient will watch your video at their convenience.   With streaming video services, you record your video with your webcam and send it on its way.  Or you may upload pre-recorded videos from you other video sources and send them.  Even pre-record videos with your webcam to be sent later.  For example you might record a video of your daughter's recital, or your son's game-winning home run.  Then minutes after the game when you have access to the internet you click upload and send.  Imagine how pleased the grandparents will be to see video of the grandkids minutes after the event.   Video broadcasting and pay-per-view broadcasting are also available.

Plans start at $9.95 per month.  No long term contracts.   You may change your service level on a monthly basis.  

Running a business?  Show your customers the daily progress of their project.  Use video to inform prospective clients of projects similar to theirs that you have just completed or are in process.  Perhaps you get lots of 'tech support' calls from your customers with the same question over and over again.  Record  a video which demonstrates the exact answer to their question.  Send this same video out to each request for support.  Save yourself a great deal of time and deliver on  your promise to satisfy your customers.

• Live Video Broadcasting
• Streaming Video Email
• Video Instant Messaging
• Archived Video Broadcasting
• Pay-Per-View Video Broadcasting

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JTK Communications, Inc.