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Anonymous
November 8, 2013
Answered

[LOCKED] Is there a way to embed video in a PDF that will play on a Mac or iPad?

  • November 8, 2013
  • 5 replies
  • 163679 views

I am creating a training document in Acrobat XI Pro (converted from Word).  I have embedded a video into the PDF that plays within the document, and it works fine on my PC.  When the file is opened on a Mac or iPad, the video will not play.  As another option, I embedded the video as a YouTube widget.  Again, it plays fine on my PC but won't play on a Mac or iPad.  As a third option, I've tried hyperlinking a screen shot of the YouTube video in my PDF.  On my PC and iPad it will navigate me to my browser to play the video in YouTube, but is not functional on my Mac.

 

Would welcome suggestions.  Ideally want one solution that will play on all 3 devices!

 

Thank you.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Nancy OShea

    For best results in 2021, use InDesign to place MP4 video into your interactive documents.  Then export to PDF.

     

     

    [NOTE:  This topic from 2013 is outdated and no longer relevant.  This discussion is now locked.  For further questions, please begin a new topic. Thank you.]

     

    5 replies

    M
    my name is Steve Brace
    Participant
    February 5, 2020

    I'm trying to do the same thing; I've found if you hang the video file as an attachment on your pdf file then the recipient can choose to open it any way they can. It is a much more choppy presentation, but it makes it possible...

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 5, 2020

    Why are we resurrecting posts from 7 years ago?

     

    All device browsers support MP4 video and MP3 audio.  So for a seamless experience, export projects to HTML instead of PDF.  No special viewers or plugins required. 

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    E
    Ed Brandal UK
    Participant
    May 22, 2020

    [Personal remarks removed by moderator.]

     

    We dont want to export to html.

     

    All Mac users are asking for is the ability to embed video in a PDF using the Rich Media function – why offer this service without advising users that it is not functional on Macs?

     

      V
      veenak25108298
      Participant
      February 19, 2016

      Hi Patty,

      The Default I-pad reader does not supports all formats.

      You have to install PDF expert reader app, it is hardly for 11 dollars. It is a good reader. You can see videos in that, open an attached file in a different browser. Its really good.

      Regards,

      Veena

      R
      rodolfo1216
      Inspiring
      October 4, 2014

      Yes, how did you embed the mp4 into the PDF?

      H
      Harry Hemus
      Inspiring
      October 6, 2014

      First of all, if you want to run video inside a .pdf on an iPad, you should be aware that the Adobe Tablet and Mobile reader does NOT support rich media ( audio or video ).  Despite trying to encourage Adobe to 'get real', it seems that they have no intention to do so in the short term.  SO ... I have been working with a company called Readdle, and beta testing their 'PDF Expert' application, and it is probably the most sophisticated .pdf  reader for iOS on the market.

      It supports rich media, and certain levels of JavaScript that are particularly useful for this kind of work.

      However, if all you want to do is insert video into a single .pdf document, that will run on iOS ( with 'PDF Expert only' ) as well as desktop Mac or PC, the video needs to be h264 .mp4 format ( basically avoid ANY based Flash content for iOS ).

      You should also note, that active Buttons ( not hyperlinks, which are different ) which you might wish to create in say InDesign or even Acrobat, need to be made up of just imagery (and that also means converting your text to outlines ).  However, this is only necessary for iOS with PDF Expert.  Also be aware that I have not done much work which includes .pdf on Android.

      I do think though that if you stick with basic navigation, avoid active 'Layers' authoring and only want to run simple video, the h264 .mp4 encoding is going to work across ALL platforms.

      If you want to have a look 'under the hood' of  an example, please DOWNLOAD and save this item

      https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11563257/3.%20Interactive_iPad_test_for_PDF_EXPERT.pdf

        G
        grant_vz1
        Participant
        October 8, 2014

        Hi Harry,

        Any chance you can provide some basic instructions for embedding video content with PDF Expert?

        Thanks in advance

          H
          Harry Hemus
          Inspiring
          January 8, 2014

          There ya go !

          An interactive rich media .pdf running on an iPad ( also runs on desktop )

          Enjoy  :-)

          https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11563257/Beta%205%20demo%20for%20Readdle.mp4

            chesca_dj
            chesca_dj
            Participant
            October 2, 2014

            Hi @Harry Hemus, what software did you use to create the interactive pdf?

            D
            Dave Merchant
            Legend
            November 8, 2013

            Rich media in PDF relies on Flash, so it's not an option for iOS devices. Adobe Reader Mobile doesn't support rich media at all.

            On desktops, non-Adobe software such as Preview, or Web browser internal renderers, won't display it either. Your only option for cross-platform support is to include a simple web link and post the video online, ideally on an HTML5 page.

              M
              mcnorv44
              Participant
              February 17, 2016

              great explanation to what I was experiencing.

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