Putting Sound and Video into Web Pages

When Should (Or Shouldn't) I Use Video

If at all possible, avoid the temptation of using video just to use video in your Web Pages

• The time to create a video clip is extensive, much more than you might initially guess.
• Realize the requirements of storing and sending video are large, often in the megbyte range.
• Readers of your web page may not have machines capable of playing back the video, due to the speed of their machines, lack of sound support, and even lack of colour.
• Modem users may decide the time to download the movie is not worth it or two costly. For example it would take around 10 minutes to download a 1 meg clip at 14,400 bps at the best of times.

Consider Alternatives To Video, And Use Them If Appropriate

• Would a QTVR Movie be more appropriate
• Would an Animated Gif be appropriate.
• Would just the sound, and maybe a picture, be appropriate.
• Could you get by with a slide show, instead of full video.
• What about the use of pictures and text.

Use Video Only If It's The Most Appropriate Medium To Get Your Message Across

• Ask yourself, if I was not working on the Web and I had to do teaching materials up, how would I do it? Would I produce a video?
• Video is generally less appropriate for technical materials, such as facts, figures, data, which are best done in tables and graphics.

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