How To Upload an Audio or Video file to Video Library

How To Upload an Audio or Video file to Video Library

How to upload one audio or video file to Video Library

Step Action Result
1. To upload an audio or video file to a Bamboo Video Library, click the Upload Media File button in the Documents tab of the Tools ribbon, or click the Add new item link at the bottom of the items list. HW69_2010_UploadMenu.jpg
2. Select an audio or video file to upload and click OK. A preview of the media file and its properties is displayed. HW69_2010_UploadScreen.jpg
3. Video Library will attempt to extract basic metadata from the media file and populate the item property fields.
4. Review and update the item properties and click OK.

How to upload multiple audio or video files to Video Library

Note: A copy of the media files are stored temporarily on the server while the files are being processed. This will reduce the available hard drive space on the server. Before uploading multiple large files, it is a good idea to make sure you have sufficient hard drive space on the SharePoint Web server to accommodate this temporary file storage requirement.

Step Action Result
1. To upload multiple files, click the Upload Multiple Media Files link in the Upload Media File page. The files will be uploaded without displaying a preview of the media file and its properties. To update item properties after upload, edit individual items in the library. HW69_2010_UploadMultiple.jpg

HW69_2010_UploadScreenSupportedFormats.jpg
For video files, a thumbnail image is auto-generated using Microsoft Expression Encoder. For more information, read How to Install Microsoft Expression Encoder. To use a custom thumbnail instead, read How to Change the Thumbnail Associated with a Media File.

For a list of supported media file formats, click the Supported File Formats link below the file name box in the Upload page.

How to Install Microsoft Expression Encoder

How to Install Microsoft Expression Encoder

Microsoft Expression Encoder is required to generate thumbnail images for videos uploaded to Video Library, and must be installed separately. For your convenience, Bamboo includes a link in the Video Library Setup program to download the free version of Microsoft Expression Encoder 3. To install Expression Encoder, follow the installation instructions provided on the Microsoft download page.

If you are installing Video Library on Windows Server 2008, you must also install the Desktop Experience feature before using Expression Encoder.

NOTE: If you choose not to install Expression Encoder, thumbnails will not be generated automatically when you upload videos to Video Library. This does not affect video playback. You can assign a thumbnail image to the video manually following the instructions provided in How to Change the Thumbnail Associated with a Media File.

For a list of video formats that Expression Encoder 3 can generate thumbnails for, see the CODECS/IMPORT section of the Microsoft Expression Encoder 3 FAQ. In general, Expression Encoder supports most media file formats that can be played in Windows Media Player.

If you are unsure if a thumbnail can be generated for your video file, try importing the video into Expression Encoder. If Expression Encoder can display a thumbnail, so can Video Library.

Additional information about Expression Encoder can be found in the Microsoft Expression Encoder 3 FAQ.
Video Library also supports Microsoft Expression Encoder 4 for thumbnail generation. If you choose to install this version instead of the version provided with the Video Library Setup program, review the System Requirements section of the download page carefully. Expression Encoder 4 requires .NET 4.0 and Silverlight 4.0.

How to Change the Thumbnail Associated with a Media File

How to Change the Thumbnail Associated with a Media File

When a video file is uploaded, Video Library will attempt to automatically generate a thumbnail image to display with the item in a library. Automatic thumbnail generation is performed by Microsoft Expression Encoder, which must be installed separately. For more information, read Installing Microsoft Expression Encoder.

If you are uploading an audio file, if Microsoft Expression Encoder is unable to provide a thumbnail image, or if you just want to change the image to something different, you can manually assign a thumbnail image to the library item using the following steps:

Step Action Result
1. Edit the item properties. HW69_2010_EditItem.jpg
2. In the Custom Thumbnail column, enter the URL to the image you want to use as a thumbnail. Click the Click here to test link to verify that the image can be accessed. You do not need to enter a description.

HW69_2010_CustomThumbnail.jpg

NOTE: The path you enter can be absolute (http:/ /servername/site/picturelib/image.bmp) or relative (/site/picturelib/image.bmp).

If the image you select is stored in a SharePoint library in the farm, Bamboo recommends using a relative URL if the Web application has multiple access points using Alternative Access Mappings (AAM) or if the Library and associated thumbnail images will be saved as part of a site template.

3. Click OK to save the item properties. HW69_2010_CustomThumbnail2.jpg
The image will automatically be reduced to an appropriate thumbnail size and the new image will be displayed with the item.

How the Video Library-File Share Library Connection Works

How the Video Library-File Share Library Connection Works

Return to Storing Media in a Bamboo File Share Library Overview

Q: Where are media files stored?

A: When Video Library is connected to a File Share Library, the Video Library itself does not contain any files. The files are stored in the network file share configured in File Share Library. The Video Library only contains links to the File Share Library content, the thumbnail images, and metadata information for the media files. Because the files are not stored in SharePoint, your SharePoint content database is not affected by the size of the files in the library. Storage is limited by the size of the external file system configured as the File Share Library network file share, not by your SQL Server database size or SharePoint storage limits.

Q: What happens when files are uploaded?

When a file is uploaded in Video Library, it is processed by File Share Library immediately, and a link is created in the Video Library. Available metadata is extracted from the file and stored with the link. You can play your video file as soon as it is finished uploading.

Q: What about links to external media content?

Links to external media, such as YouTube videos, exist only in the Video Library. There is no file added to the File Share Library or the network file share.

Q: What if the File Share Library contains non-media files?

Only supported media file types are visible in Video Library. If the File Share Library contains other file types, the files are not visible in Video Library. If you attempt to upload an unsupported file type, a warning message will be displayed. You can only upload supported file types to the Video Library.

Q: How are files synchronized?

When Video Library is first connected to a File Share Library, it will take a few minutes to synchronize content from the File Share Library to the Video Library. During this initial synchronization, links are created in the Video Library to the files in the File Share Library. Metadata information is automatically extracted and stored with the link. The time this takes will vary according to the number of files in the File Share Library.

After the initial synchronization is complete, you can add, delete, or rename files directly in Video Library. When an item is added or deleted from Video Library, it is added or deleted according to the settings defined in the File Share Library settings. For example, if you delete an item from Video Library and File Share Library is configured to archive deleted files to a network location, the file will be archived. If you add an item and File Share Library is configured to copy new files to the network file share (recommended), that is what will happen. When you make changes in Video Library, they are done immediately; you do not have to wait for the File Share Library synchronization job to run.

If you choose to add, delete, or modify files directly in the network file share, the changes will be reflected in Video Library the next time the File Share Library synchronization job runs. For example, if you want to add a large number of items to the Video Library, it may be faster to do this directly in the network file share rather than use the Video Library page. If the File Share Library Synchronization Settings are configured to sync items daily, the new files will be available in Video Library the next time the daily synchronization job runs. If File Share Library is not configured to sync according to a specific schedule, Video Library will sync every 30 minutes. There is no one-time or on-demand synchronization option in Video Library, and performing an on-demand synchronization in File Share Library does not update the Video Library.

Whenever possible, use the Video Library page in SharePoint to manage media files; do not use the network file share or the File Share Library.

How to Add & Play a Link to External Media Content

How to Add & Play a Link to External Media Content

Video Library can store links to hosted media files on other servers.

Step Action Result
1. To add a link to external content, click the New Media File Link button in the Documents tab of the Tools ribbon HW69_2010_NewMediaFileLink.jpg
2. Enter the URL to the hosted media file and click OK. HW69_YouTubeURL.jpg
NOTE: Video Library has been designed and tested to work with YouTube. Links to files on other Internet media services may work, but are not officially supported and may not be able to provide metadata to Video Library. For YouTube video links, use the full URL listed in the browser toolbar instead of the shortened URL provided for social media sharing.
3. To play a media file hosted in Video Library, simply click the thumbnail image. HW69_2010_PlayVideo.jpg<
HW69_PlayVideoPlayer.jpg<

Highlights of Video Library

Highlights of Video Library

VideoLibrary.pngNowadays you need to share more than just documents. From training materials to commercials, companies are accumulating rich media like videos quickly. While SharePoint is pretty good at storing a lot of things, video and audio files have their own needs. Bamboo Solutions created Video Library so you can create a centralized location for not only storing videos, but for playing them back and sharing them as well. Video Library provides several advantages over a standard Document Library, such as:

  • An embedded video/audio player that supports multiple file types.
  • Ability to capture and display metadata such as file type, duration, and resolution.
  • Display of video thumbnails.
  • Storage of media in the library or linking to external sources.
  • Ability to share links to videos or embed them into another page.

Video Library provides users with a simple but powerful library that is designed specifically for storing media. Authorized users can upload or link to video and audio files in a variety of formats and locations, while other users can view media details (like resolution and length) and play back the content from within the library using the embedded player. Video Library lets you centralize and organize your rich media the way it was meant to be.

File Share Library Limitations

File Share Library Limitations

Return to Storing Media in a Bamboo File Share Library Overview

The following limitations apply to Video Library when it is connected to a File Share Library:

  • Item versioning is not supported.
  • The Document ribbon item options E-mail a Link and Download a Copy do not work properly.
  • The Video Library Upload Media File and New Media File Link options will use the default Document Library upload page, not the customized Video Library page with the link to supported file types. The functionality is the same.

See more release notes for each version:

Enabling Support for Large Files

Enabling Support for Large Files

Return to Storing Media in a Bamboo File Share Library Overview

HW69_LargeFiles-FSLconfig.jpgThe default maximum upload size for SharePoint Web applications is 50 MB. This limit affects all uploads to SharePoint. The Maximum Upload Size setting can be customized in the Web Application General Settings page, but changes to it affect all libraries—not just Video Library.

  • When you install File Share Library, an optional Web application feature called File Share Library Large Files Feature is installed. This feature allows you to upload larger files to a File Share Library, as long as the library is configured to Copy the item to the network file share and create a link to the item in the File Share Library when a new item is added.

  • The Large Files Feature also improves file upload performance.

  • When the feature is enabled and a File Share Library is connected to a Video Library, you can take advantage of it to upload files larger than 50 MB to the Video Library.

HW69_2010_FSL-LargeFilesFeature.jpgThe File Share Library Large Files Feature is not activated by default; you must activate it after installation. Activating the feature enables large file support for all File Share Libraries in the Web application, including the ones connected to Video Libraries. After activating this Web application feature, you can upload large files from the Video Library; you do not need to upload them from the File Share Library page.

To activate File Share Library Large Files Feature:

Step Action
1. Log in to Central Administration with an account that is a member of the SharePoint Farm Administrators group.
2. In the Application Management section, click Manage Web Applications.
3. Select the Web application where File Share Library is installed, and then click Manage Features in the Web Applications ribbon.

NOTE: The ability to upload large files only affects files that are copied to File Share Library’s connected network file share. If you configure File Share Library to add files only to File Share Library, the Web application’s Maximum Upload Size applies. To take advantage of increased file size limits and improved performance, configure your File Share Library as shown above.

Configuring and Testing the IIS Virtual Directory Path

Configuring and Testing the IIS Virtual Directory Path

Return to Storing Media in a Bamboo File Share Library Overview

When Video Library is configured to connect to a File Share Library, you need to configure an IIS virtual directory to serve the media content. Configure the virtual directory to access the same network file share path configured in the File Share Library.

For instructions to create a virtual directory in IIS, see the following Microsoft reference: How to Create and Configure Virtual Directories in IIS 7.0 (MSDN).

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when creating the virtual directory:

  • The virtual directory can be in the same IIS site as your SharePoint Web application, or it can be part of a different site.
  • The path to the directory should be the physical (C:pathtomedia) or UNC path (servermedia) to the network files share configured in the File Share Library settings—do not use a mapped drive letter. For more information, see Microsoft Support article 257174.
  • If you configure the directory to access a UNC path on another server, make sure to provide credentials that can access that path by clicking the Connect as button in the virtual directory settings.
  • When you create the virtual directory, enable directory browsing so you can test the path in the Video Library settings. You can disable directory browsing after a successful test.
  • Add a video file to the directory you configure, so that you can test video playback.

Testing the IIS Virtual Directory Path

After you create your IIS virtual directory and enter its path in the Video Library Storage Settings, click the Test Path button in the Storage Settings section to test that videos can be played from that path. Enter the name of an existing video in the directory location, including the file extension, and click the Play button.

HW69_2010_StorageSettings-FSL-iistest.jpgIf the video plays, Video Library can access the virtual directory. Click OK to return to the Video Library Settings page. If the video does not play, check your IIS virtual directory settings. If you need to correct the IIS virtual directory path, you can click the Edit Path link in the Test IIS Virtual Directory page. Changing the path there will update it in the settings page.

Reminders:

  • Directory browsing must be enabled for the virtual directory for the test to be successful. For more information, read the Microsoft TechNet article Enable or Disable Directory Browsing in IIS 7. You can disable directory browsing again after the test is successful.
  • A video file must already exist in the physical directory. You should verify that the file can be played directly on your server before testing it in Video Library. If you successfully completed all required installation steps for Video Library, your server can play the file too.

Configuration Overview of Video Library

Configuration Overview of Video Library

After Video Library is installed, a new library type called Bamboo Video Library is added to the SharePoint Create screen. Users with rights to add lists and libraries can create a new Video Library to store media files just as you would any Document Library.

Configure Video Library

You can configure Video Library after you create it. On the site where you want to create the new Video Library, go to Site Actions > More Options… Alternatively, click the All Site Contents link in the left navigation menu and click the Create button.

SharePoint 2007/2010 SharePoint 2013
HW69_2010_CreateLibrary.jpg AddSteps.jpg

Give the library a name. To set library options, click the More Options button and make your selections.

The new Video Library is created empty and ready to configure.

HW69_2013_EmptyLib.png
Click the links below to read about each option that can be configured:

Best Practices for Using Video Library with a File Share Library

Best Practices for Using Video Library with a File Share Library

Return to Storing Media in a Bamboo File Share Library Overview

Following is a list of best practices for using Video Library with a File Share Library.

End Users:

  • Add, delete, and update media files from the Video Library.
  • Do not update files in the File Share Library.
  • Avoid updating files directly in the network file share. If you do, be aware that changes will not be visible in the Video Library until the next scheduled File Share Library synchronization.

Site Admin:

  • Configure the File Share Library to copy files to the network file share when new items are added. If you add files only to the File Share Library, you lose the advantage of using an external file system to store your media files.

System Admins:

  • Enable support for large files in your Web application so you can upload files larger than the SharePoint default of 50 MB without affecting your other SharePoint libraries.