Video Library Player Settings

Video Library Player Settings

Return to Video Library Storage Settings

HW69_2010_PlayerSettings.jpg Some of the settings you can customize let you define how the Video Library will play back your video: through native resolution, pixel size and ratio and whether to allow automatic playback as well as using Silverlight in supported browsers. Details for each setting are listed below.

Step Action Result
1. Display at native resolution
  • When set to No, the video will play at a resolution appropriate for the specified player size.
  • When set to Yes, the video will play at the same resolution it was recorded. This option disables player size and aspect ratio settings, which will be set according to the video resolution. If the native resolution is larger than the client display, the video will instead be played at a resolution appropriate for the specified player size.
2. The Width and Height settings determine the size of the window the media content plays in.

HW69_PlayerSize.jpg

  • If the Auto-detect aspect ratio setting is set to Yes, actual video size will be adjusted to fit within the player while preserving video aspect ratio, as shown in the example below.
  • If Auto-detect aspect ratio is set to No, the video will be stretched to fit the new player size.
3.
  • When set to No, videos will be stretched to fit the specified player size. This may cause distortion of the video image if player size is not appropriate.

  • When set to Yes, video aspect ratio will be preserved, as shown in the example for the Player size setting above. Excess player screen will appear as black space around the video image.

4.
  • When the options When viewing item properties or When editing an item are checked, the media file will automatically start playing whenever you view or edit the item properties.

  • When not checked, the media file will not start playing when item properties are viewed or edited. The media file can still be played by clicking on the thumbnail image in these views.

5. Use Silverlight for playback of supported types

By default, media stored in Video Library will be played using Windows Media Player on the client machine. Silverlight allows media playback using the Silverlight browser plug-in. To use Silverlight instead of Windows Media Player to play media files, set Use Silverlight for playback of supported types to Yes.

NOTE: The Silverlight plug-in must be installed on the client browser. If it is not, users will see a link to install Silverlight. To check if Silverlight is installed, visit the Microsoft Silverlight page.

Video Library Storage Settings

Video Library Storage Settings

Return to Configuration Overview

HW69_2010_SettingsButton.jpg In addition to standard SharePoint library settings, Video Library provides additional library settings that can be used to customize each Video Library instance. To access these settings, click the Video Library Settings button in the Library tab of the Tools ribbon.

In the Storage Settings section of the Video Library Settings page, select where the multimedia files in your Bamboo Video Library will be stored.

You have two options.

  • This topic covers the configuration choices for storing files in Bamboo’s Video Library.
  • Read more details about Configuring a File Share Library to use instead of a Video Library.

Storing Files in Video Library

HW69_2010_StorageSettings-VL.jpgSelect the Video Library option to store media files directly in the Video Library (the default).

Files uploaded to the Video Library are stored in the SharePoint content database, and are managed just like any SharePoint Document Library.

NOTE TO SYS ADMIN: Files uploaded to Video Library are subject to the file size limit defined for your Web application (default 50 MB). If you need to upload files larger than 50 MB, you must either increase the Maximum Upload Size setting in the Web Application General Settings page in Central Administration, or use a Bamboo File Share Library (sold separately) to store your Video Library files. Read more details about Configuring a File Share Library to use instead of a Video Library.

Click the links below to read about each option that can be configured. When you have finished changing Video Library settings, click Save.

Video Library Supported File Types

Video Library Supported File Types

Media File Types Supported by Video Library

For the most up-to-date list of media file formats that can be played by Video Library, click the Supported File Formats link on the page where you upload new media files. For Video Library 2.0, the supported file formats include:

  • Windows Media Video Files (7, 8, 9, and Advanced Profile): WMV, WM, ASF
  • MP4 files (MPEG-4 Part 2/Part 10): MP4
  • Flash video files: FLV
  • Audio Video Interleave (AVI) Files: AVI
  • MPEG files (MPEG-1/MPEG-2 Part 2): MPEG, MPG, MPE, MPV2
  • Various audio files: MP3, MP2, MPA, WMA, WAV

Supported File Types for Thumbnail Images

The free version of Microsoft Expression Encoder 3 can generate thumbnail images for the file types listed below. Note that Microsoft Expression Encoder 3 (free version) cannot generate thumbnail images for all of the file formats supported by Video Library (see above). You can manually assign thumbnail images to unsupported file types. If you are unsure if Video Library will be able to generate a thumbnail for your video file, try importing the file into Microsoft Expression Encoder. If you see a thumbnail in Expression Encoder, you will see one in Video Library.

For your convenience, a link to the Microsoft Expression Encoder 3 (free version) download page is provided in the Video Library Setup program. For more information about installing Microsoft Expression Encoder, read Installing Microsoft Expression Encoder in the Video Library Installation section.

  • Windows Media Video (WMV)
  • DVD video (VOB)
  • MPEG (MPG, MPEG)
  • Audio Video Interleave (AVI)
  • Microsoft Digital Video Recording (DVR-MS)

Video Library Display Settings

Video Library Display Settings

Return to Video Library Storage Settings

The following settings customize how Video Library items are displayed in the library:

HW69_2010_DisplaySettings.jpg

Step Action Result
1. Display thumbnail film edge border?

HW69_filmborder.jpg

  • When set to Yes, the thumbnail image in the library includes a filmstrip border on the left and right of the image.
  • When set to No, there is no border.
2. Display “Link” and “Embed Video” information?
  • When set to Yes, the Link and Embed Video code that allows links to Video Library items from other sites is displayed when viewing item properties. For more information about linking to and embedding media in other pages, read Using Video Library.

  • When set to No, the links are not available to users when viewing the item. Select No when you don’t want other users linking to media content in your Video Library from other locations.
    HW69_2010_LinkEmbed.jpg

3. Number of columns in Thumbnails view: The Thumbnails view displays only the media item thumbnail image and the item Title. The Number of columns setting controls the number of columns used to display items horizontally on the page. In the example below, the number of columns was set to “3”.
HW69_2010_NumColsThumbnails.jpg

Switching Between Storage Options

Switching Between Storage Options

Return to Storing Media in a Bamboo File Share Library Overview

When you switch from storing files in Video Library to storing them in a Bamboo File Share Library, any files currently in the Video Library will be deleted. When the Video Library is connected to the File Share Library, links to the files in the File Share Library are added to the Video Library.

HW69_2010_StorageSettings-FSL-configured.jpgTo switch from storing files in a File Share Library to storing them directly in Video Library, click the Reset Connection button. Any existing links in Video Library to the files that reside in the File Share Library will be deleted. The actual files in the File Share Library are not affected. The Video Library will be empty and ready for you to upload new files.

You can also use the Reset Connection button to disconnect from one File Share Library and connect to a different one. The links to files that reside in the existing File Share Library will be deleted, and links to the new files will be added. The actual files in the File Share Library are not affected.

Storing Media in a Bamboo File Share Library Overview

Storing Media in a Bamboo File Share Library Overview

Return to Configuration Overview

Besides configuring Video Library to store Files in a Video Library, it can be also be configured to connect to a File Share Library (sold separately). When this option is configured, your media files are stored on the network file share configured in the File Share Library settings.

Links to those files are created in Video Library, and thumbnails images and media file metadata are stored with the links. You can access and manage your media directly in Video Library, but files are stored in an external file system instead of the SharePoint content database.

Use this option when your Video Library will contain a lot of content, or when it needs to support large files.

Configuring Video Library to Connect to a File Share Library

Configuring Video Library to Connect to a File Share Library

Return to Configuration Overview

Select the File Share Library option to store media files in a Bamboo File Share Library (sold separately). By connecting Video Library to an existing File Share Library, your media files are stored on the network file share configured in the File Share Library settings. Links to those files are created in Video Library, and thumbnails images and media file metadata are stored with the links. You can access and manage your media directly in Video Library, but files are stored in an external file system instead of the SharePoint content database.

Use this option when your Video Library will contain a lot of content or when it needs to support large files.

HW69_2010_StorageSettings-FSL-configured.jpgFor important details about configuring the File Share Library storage option, including more information about configuring required settings and instructions to enable large file support, see Storing Media in a Bamboo File Share Library. This page also discusses how File Share Library and Video Library work together, best practices for using this storage option, and limitations you need to be aware of.

Icon-Warning Read Storing Media in a Bamboo File Share Library before configuring a connection to a File Share Library.

NOTE: You must have Video Library R2.0 or higher and File Share Library R2.0 or higher to connect Video Library to a File Share Library.

When you select the File Share Library option, you also need to configure the following settings:

Step Action Result
1.

Select a Bamboo File Share Library:

  • Enter the URL for the site that contains the Bamboo File Share Library you want to connect to, and then click the Load Libraries button. You can enter the site path as a relative URL (./ or /site) or an absolute URL (http://server/site). The site that contains Cross List must be in the same site collection as the Video Library.
HW69_2010_StorageSettings-FSL-configured.jpg
When you click the Load Libraries button, available File Share Libraries in that site are populated in the Select a Bamboo File Share Library drop-down list. Select the library you want to connect to.
2. Enter an IIS virtual directory path that serves content from the network file share configured in File Share Library. HW69_2010_StorageSettings-FSL-select.jpgTo view content from a File Share Library in Video Library, you must enter an IIS virtual directory path. This path serves content from the network file share configured in File Share Library. Configure the virtual directory in IIS, and then enter it in the IIS virtual directory path box.
3.

Click the Test Path button to test the IIS virtual directory path you configured. Enter the path to a video file in the IIS virtual directory (the file must already exist), and click Play. If the video plays, your IIS virtual directory is configured properly.

Click OK to return to the Video Library Settings page.

4. Review the rest of your Video Library settings, and then click OK. You will be warned that any existing files in your Video Library will be deleted. Click OK to confirm. HW69_2010_StorageSettings-FSL-Warning.jpg
The contents of the File Share Library will be synchronized to the Video Library. This process may take a few minutes to complete. While it is running, the Video Library page will display an informational message. When the process is complete, you can start using Video Library to play and manage media files.

HW69_2010_StorageSettings-FSL-importmsg.jpg

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.

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.

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.