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DiogoMartins
DiogoMartins
Participant
March 3, 2020
Answered

Files with videos

  • March 3, 2020
  • 4 replies
  • 809 views

Hi all,

 

I've done a presntations with videos (almost like a portfolio presentation), but every file format seems to have it's cons.

I was wondering if anyone has found something that works well.

My issue is when sending stuff to clients they always seem to not be able to open the files or have some sort of problem.

 

-I have tried .EPUB (fixed layout) works well for me, however a few clients can't open it, and to some it opens as a spread rather than a single page (our presentations are single page, and this disrupts the layout, so its not ideal)

-Interactive PDF works, but normally only if opened with Acrobat, and tends to have issues with the video continuing playing after the page is left (this seems to be from the 2020 update of inesign, as the media options no longer have the pdf options, maybe i'm missing something, but regardless PDF seems to not work for some clients)

-lastly i've also used the online publishing feature, works relly well unfortunatly some clients require an actual file that they can save on a usb for their personal usage within their company.

 

I wonder if there is somthing more I could do, I feel like i've tried so many diferent things and have yet found something my clients are happy with; as they require files with videos and everything that i'm fine with they seem to struggle, so is there anything that would work seamlessly on all platforms?

 

Apologies for the long post, would love to hear any opinions on the subject of having video imbeded on files.

 

Thank you,

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Derek Cross

There's no perfect solution -- each format has its advantages (features) and disadvantages. Videos are  particularly difficult as they tend to be large. You could look at InDesign's Publish Online, which can include multi-media, but the recipient has to be online to view them. Another option might be in5, which uses HTML5 from InDesign and can be a stand-alone document, but you have to buy the plug-in and learn it. The only realistic way to use video with PDF is by having hyperlinks to YouTube or similar, but again, you need to be online, which may or may not be important.

4 replies

Derek Cross
Community Expert
Derek CrossCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 3, 2020

So as you can see D Martins, it's a difficult area to choice. Looking again at your requirements, I think that, if you have the budget and you need to produce these kinds of presentations regularly, then in5 might be the answer. The output is HTML5 and will play on any device with an HTML5 browser - computer, tablet or smartphones, PC or Mac,  and users don't need to be online to play the presentations.

https://ajarproductions.com/pages/products/in5/

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 3, 2020

    I love in5 but it should be noted that just exporting out HTML will not work on iPads. You need a real app or a web app.

     

    The issue with web apps is that without a live web connection, there are issues because iOS only allows about 32 megabytes to be fully cached. A real app requires a developer account and it has to go through the app store.

      Geоrge
      Geоrge
      Legend
      March 3, 2020

      >> -I have tried .EPUB (fixed layout) works well for me, however a few clients can't open it

      Why don't write to them that needs to have Adobe Digital Edition (or another reader that you're used to test)? If them want to use it something alternative - this is their problem. You can't cover all available readers. 

       

      >> I highly recommend that you use Powerpoint.

      Bugged soft of all the years for the school pupils, IMHO. Main problem of all MS toys that .ppt can be opened in the same OS, same version of Office and all updates are equal and it will be looks differently. That's why many seminar-speakers used to show .ppt on their own notebooks.  

       

      Remember, never say you can't do something in InDesign, it's always just a question of finding the right workaround to get the job done. © David Blatner
        BobLevine
        Community Expert
        BobLevineCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        March 3, 2020
        Adobe Digital Editions is absolute trash for fixed layout epub!
        A
        Anonymous
        April 2, 2020

        Hello BobLevine,
        I'm new to the discussion so sorry if I intrude, but are there more appropriate epub fixed's readers that work correctly for both ios and android mobile devices?

        I use lithium on android and ibooks on apple device.

        BobLevine
        Community Expert
        BobLevineCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        March 3, 2020

        If you want to create presentations that are going to be universally accepted I highly recommend that you use Powerpoint.

        That may sound like heresy around here, but multimedia is going to present a problem in just about any other format that requires specific reader apps or even operating systems.

          Derek Cross
          Community Expert
          Derek CrossCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
          Community Expert
          March 3, 2020

          There's no perfect solution -- each format has its advantages (features) and disadvantages. Videos are  particularly difficult as they tend to be large. You could look at InDesign's Publish Online, which can include multi-media, but the recipient has to be online to view them. Another option might be in5, which uses HTML5 from InDesign and can be a stand-alone document, but you have to buy the plug-in and learn it. The only realistic way to use video with PDF is by having hyperlinks to YouTube or similar, but again, you need to be online, which may or may not be important.

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