Is there a need for a video troubleshooting button when all videos are embedded flv's?
In the past I have placed a "can't see the video? click here to troubleshoot" button next to each video link on my sites. Now I have converting all videos to flvs and embedding them in the page content which uses a flv player stored on the server. Does this method eliminate any playing problems, caused by incompatible or out-of-date media players for wmv's (the old way)? I need to know if i should include the button or not. It would be nice to know of any full proof method you may have used to ensure reliable online video playback.
Answers (4)
There's no way to completely eliminate the chance of technical problems, unfortunately. Someone might have an old version of Flash installed (before FLV support), not have Flash, or have it disabled. I don't think you need a troubleshooting button, but you'll still want a "contact us" link at the bottom of that page or the equivalent if it's not there, which should ideally take a user to a contact form.
You no longer need this button, if the viewer has an out of day version of flash they will automatically see a notice to update to the newest version with a link.
Steve H
User Experience / Creative Director / Digital Strategist
Best Answers in: Internet Marketing (1)
The key is to create an experience that will degrade gracefully. Take the burden off of the end user and place it upon the technology. This is more difficult than it sounds, for simple is hard and hard is simple. A simple experience for the user is hard for the developer because more logic and detection scripts are required. Having a trouble button is the hard is simple approach where you transfer the burden onto the user. A better solution is to leverage the technology to make the experience seamless.
You can detect Flash versions, connection speeds, browser types, etc and deliver an appropriate experience. With the growth of mobile, this becomes even more important since not all mobile devices will support Flash, for example the iPhone. If the user doesn’t have the necessary technology, provide an alternative experience. Granted, it is hard for you, yet for the user the experience is simple. They don’t need to think, they just interact with your experience. The net result is a positive brand impression which greatly out weighs any costs associated with creating the experience in the first place.
Greg P
President ♦ Bluefin Productions Inc.
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Well, by placing the emphasis on FLash, you have started down a road of choosing only a certain type of device.
Not all phones and mobile computers sup[port flash.
Not all corporate networks allow flash traffic. Flash itself is very resource intensive and IT guys hate it on their networks.
