There are so many different computer video file types these days it can be difficult to make sense of them all.
For example, the following file types are currently accepted for upload by YouTube:
- .MOV
- .MPEG4
- .MP4
- .AVI
- .WMV
- .MPEGPS
- .FLV
- .3GPP
- .WebM
This means that some people somewhere are able to create and view these various file types, and, since YouTube is a commercial site, they work pretty hard to make sure anyone anywhere can upload content.
Here on campus, though, we aren't quite as flexible. Some file types might not play back as smoothly as others. Some might not play back at all, and thus need to be converted to another type.
Currently we recommend that, if at all possible, you bring MP4 files to play back using our installed systems. Others might work, but we have played many MP4 files in both the podium computers and the professional grade Blu-ray decks that are installed in our auditorium projection booths. MP4 files are very consistently reliable for us.
If you have some other file type, you can test it yourself by going into any enhanced classroom on central campus - the rooms with podium computers and ceiling mounted projectors - and seeing if your files will play there.
Files that will play on your home or office computer might not play in a classroom or auditorium.
They also might not look or sound as good projecting on a big screen and playing in a big room as they do, for example, on a laptop with headphones.
Our field technicians can test video files for you in advance of your event if you drop them off on physical media in our Mason G340 office, or share them with us via M+box or Google Drive.
