Video For Websites - Getting Your Video on the Big Screen

Get Video online

So, you understand the amazing boost video SEO can give your website and you've made the first step of filming your video - you're ready to broadcast it to the wide world. Just one problem - your video is sitting on your camera and you can't get it onto your computer. Mocking you, it refuses to upload onto your computer so that you can edit it. Although your first reaction is to launch either your camera or your computer (or both - Oh yes we've been there -  out of the nearest window, here's a quick checklist to run through.

Check your video equipment.

• Look at your cables. Are the ends blackened (which could suggest a shorting in the port)? Are all the connectors clear, clean and visible? Is there a break in the cable? Keep a selection of cables handy for just this problem. I've often had to replace cables that have been chewed by the dog!
• Check your ports. Do they look dirty or are there pins bent?
• Check your software. Is it up to date with no conflicts?
• Does your camera save your work in a file version that your software accepts? Always check this when shooting with a new camera for the first time. This problem is pretty rare these days as most digital cameras will download the software to your computer as soon as you connect it up. However, it's good practice to ensure it's going into a specific video folder where you can access it - that doesn't always happen automatically depending on which camera you're  using so worth checking during the upload process.

Video still refuses to upload

If you are still having problems after this checklist, you may have to consider using a "bridge". Upload your video to a hard drive or memory storage device and then from there upload it on to your computer. It may be a "faff" but it's usually the way to get it sorted. It's also good practice if you don't want to overload your computer with files you won't  need. If you firstly upload to a drive you can select the shots you need and then drag and drop into the editing software you are using.

Happy Film Making!