Workarounds for uploading big video files | Clips | WS.WebTV Documentation | WebTV Solutions

Print Introduction
Generally speaking, video files are much (much) bigger that normal image or document files. Some times, the video uploads fail because the server is configured with restrictive PHP settings regarding the allowed size of the uploaded files, or regarding input/execution times or when it has restrictions at the Web server software level (Nginx, FCGI, etc.) or when using restrictive security rules (mod_security) which block the upload of big files. In short, there are many possible reasons for upload failures and they are all originated at the server side and not because of problems of PHP applications like WS.WebTV.

The upload problems are very common on shared hosting plans (because the hosting companies normally apply very restrictive server settings) and they are less common in the case of VPS/Cloud/Dedicated servers (although when found they are easier to solve).

In this document we have put together the available workarounds (alternate procedures) for uploading big video files when it is not possible to change the server configuration so that it allows it.

Workaround 1 (WS.WebTV 2.3.0.1+)

1. Upload the video file to the storage location...:
   1.A. If using local video file storage: Upload the desired video file, through FTP, into the uploads/movies folder of the WebTV.
   1.B. If using external server: Upload the desired video file, through FTP, into the storage location.
   1.C. If using AWS: Upload the desired video file through the AWS Management Console, into the storage location (S3 bucket).
2. Edit the desired Clip and, in the "Media" tab, click the "Associate file from storage" link below the upload box of the desired quality slot. NOTE: If in the newly uploaded file does not appear in the file list then wait 30 secs. and try again.
That's it!.

Workaround 2

Suppose you want to upload a file named "my_big_file.mp4"...
1. Create a text file and name it "my_big_file.mp4"; we call this a "dummy" file...
2. Upload the "dummy" file through the WebTV Content Manager.
3. Go to the storage location and locate the "dummy" file:
   3.A. If using local video file storage: Using FTP, you should be able to find the file into the uploads/movies folder of the WebTV.
   3.B. If using external server: Using FTP, you should be able to find the file into the storage location.
   3.C. If using AWS: Using the AWS Management Console, you should be able to find the file into the storage location (S3 bucket).
4. Replace the "dummy" file, with the real (big) one. NOTICE that the real (big) file must have the exact same name as the "dummy" file you uploaded.
That's it; the WebTV will read the new file.

Workaround 3 (Using optional BatchCreator extension)

1. Upload your files into the storage location with the required naming convention.
2. Run the Batch Creator tool so that the WebTV can create the Clips (automatically) from the uploaded files.
Check the Batch Creator tutorial for more info.

Workaround 4 (Using optional StreamClip extension)

1. Upload your files into the storage location.
2. Create a StreamClip VOD; then enter the URL of the files in the "Media" Tab.
Check the StreamClip VOD tutorial for more info.