Choosing a Video Hosting Provider

Every video host tends to come up with their own names for the [often times similar] services they provide. Sometimes it makes you feel like you’re comparing apples to lava lamps! As a good starting point, you should consider the points below.

What Delivery Options Are Provided?

Many web hosting companies, cognizant of the growing importance of video and audio media delivery, will promote their service as “streaming,” even though what they are actually offering is progressive downloading from a web server. While this mimics some of the qualities of true streaming, it really is less effective.

In order to offer true streaming, the host must deliver from a specialized media server. So, how can you tell? One way is to ask to watch a “live” broadcast, as the only to do this is with true streaming. However, not every company will have live events readily available. In that case, ask them some pointed questions. Such as . . .

What is their protocol?

In the case of Flash Video streaming, for instance, it must be RTMP. If it’s not, the provider may be offering Flash Video progressive download, as opposed to actual Flash Video streaming.

What Video Formats Are Supported?

It may seem odd, but many providers do not support all of the most popular media delivery formats: Windows Media, Adobe Flash, Quicktime, and RealMedia. After all, it is expensive and time-consuming for the provider to keep current with all the latest upgrades and technologies.

So, make sure that the Streaming Hosting company you go with supports any format you are currently using, and any format you may want to use in the future. Of course, the safest thing for you is to choose one of the companies that supports all the formats. That way you’re covered.

What Kind of Reports and Stats are Offered?

Any serious company will have a proprietary reporting system, so it can be challenging to compare them. However, the first step is to make sure they do, in fact, have a web-accessible system. Secondly, find out what kind of details they provide, and how deeply you can “drill down” into each category.

If you’re using your video and audio content to generate revenue, than it’s particularly important to be able to get robust stats so that you can tailor your marketing efforts.

What is the Support Like?

Let’s face it: there are always going to be challenges when doing production for the web. What’s important is, how will the company you choose help you through them? Do they offer e-mail or online support only? While there’s nothing wrong with e-mail support, it doesn’t do you much good when you’re 10 minutes away from a big event and you need help now!

Make sure the company offers phone support — and the closer to 24/7 support, the better. There’s nothing like being able to pick up the phone and get your problem addressed in a timely fashion.

Final Notes

Of course there are many other feature offered by some of the leading Video Hosting companies, like automated transcoding from one file format to another, user-friend management systems, secure links, and more. But if you start with the basics, it will help you narrow your search.