Question

Hey just a quick question for anyone who has done this. I want to create a video tube site. I have done file uploads before but was wondering if anyone could give me suggestions on what I am planning to do.

The way I am planning is to have a folder in my web directory and to upload videos into the folder after virus scanning and checking mime. The video will then be converted and compressed using FFMPEG into flv.

I will change the name and store the video reference id in mysql so the file name can be fetched and served.

I will serve the files using HTTP_Download to a flash player

$dl = new HTTP_Download();
$dl->setFile("$path");
$dl->setContentDisposition(HTTP_DOWNLOAD_ATTACHMENT, "$path");
$dl->setContentType('video/flv');
$dl->send();

Anyone have any suggestions? Is it a good idea to put all videos in one directory?

Answer 1

You may want to consider a Java based uploader as PHP can run into timeout problems on large uploads.

Also do you FFMPEG processing as a CRON job not at upload as it takes a long time.

Look in something like Wowza Streaming Server to serve the videos. Allows streaming and everything is above the root. I name each video with a UID and send a parameter to the Flash video player to decide which one to play.