good points....
I don't think it would be a _bad_ idea to support server side
transcoding it ofcourse gives more flexibility to have the original file
and then let us target different output formats in the future. Would let
us support camera video uploads etc.
But there are logistical issues. It adds a bit of complexity / cost to
the server side setup. Additionally we are interested in working with
archive.org who already offers free transcode to ogg from arbitrary
uploaded formats for free licensed content. They have 2100+
transcode/storage cpu units and petabytes of storage. Commons has on the
order of 40 TB storage and all of (already busy) wikimedias servers
together are around 400 units ... It makes sense to encourage long form
video contribution to be supported via partnership with
archive.org.
Especially once we have them integrated as an archive provider.
Firefogg ideally is not "complex" for end users. Its a one click
extension install, the user does not have to know anything about
encoding video. We supply the transcode settings via the javascript api
so the settings are identical to what we would request server side.
Using an extension also lets us control the upload system so we can have
it upload in 1 meg chunks for example. That way we can improve usability
around multi hundred meg POST uploads by giving progress indicators,
support resumed uploads etc.
Would it be worth providing a simple http-upload to a
server-side transcoder
for these relatively small files that are low-quality to begin with?
yes I would support that effort. Just focused on the firefogg stuff
right now. If you have time to push forward on this we can try and get
something set up.
wouldn't it be more efficient to let
an infrastructure like the one I created encode _all_ versions used for
streaming, whether for desktops or mobile devices, from a single
archival-quality upload?
yes, it may be more ideal to just upload the HQ version and have the
server do the transcode. Your transcode infrastructure could be very
useful for that. But we will have to see how the logistical issues
mentioned above play out.
peace,
--michael