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I recently started doing High Definition videos for one of my customers, and I ran into a problem with mp4 files streaming on websites. What was happening was the mp4 file had to download in full before it would start playing. Come to find out, the metadata for an mp4 is located in the back of the video file information, and the video will not play until it reaches the metadata information.
I found a program that moves the metadata information from the back of the mp4 file to the front, so that the file will start playing instantly and stream on a website, instead of waiting to start until the entire video is downloaded. This program is really easy to use, and works extremely fast, all you have to do is open the program up in a Windows OS, open the folder the movie file sits in and press edit all files in the lower left, then wait for it to work, takes a minute or less of time, and then you are done. Now the metadata is at the front of the mp4 file and it will play instantly without having to download the entire video file.
Download the program from this website.
Metadata Mover – Streaming MP4 Files.
http://rndware.info/content/MetadataMover
Screen Shot
Example of streaming .mp4 file using h.264 High Def Video codec in a flash player, high quality, small file size, no quicktime player. Video from InternetsVideo – Promotional Videos & Production.If you are unable to play the video it means you have an out dated Adobe Flash player, and I would recommend following this link to get the latest Adobe Player.
Hi, it is me again.
The solution from the link you provided for me is definitely not working, I tried that. Anyway, I found more information for H264 Streaming for Apache. It requires installation of a module for Apache 2, details can be found here: http://h264.code-shop.com/trac/wiki/Mod-H264-Streaming-Apache-Version2#DownloadingandbuildingtheH264StreamingModuleforApacheversion2
I installed the Apache module, but sadly; my streaming does not improve at all.
To solve my issue with streaming for time being, I signed up a free trial account at: http://www.simplecdn.com to host my mp4 files and stream them on my site.
You can check their packages out and they do provide very good streaming speed, so you wont have to switch webhosts for streaming speed.
Another site that I found which is good for usage based streaming with zero contract is: http://www.imediasee.com/Per-GB-Video-On-Demand-Streaming-Packages
In the meantime, I’m still trying to solve my server streaming issues, please lemme know if u can think of any other solutions that may help in my situation.
thanks again!
wow! thanks again, I was searching over the net looking for any articles related to streaming for my server but u got to it first! I’ll try that out now and see if the problem goes away! cheers mate!
I posted about my servers, before I saw your comment about you hosting your website.
I wasn’t expecting a prompt response from you….
I did a quick search and found this link, maybe it will help with your apache install.
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-34359.html
Thank you for the prompt responses but we wouldnt be changing host as we own the server ourselves. So it is unlikely for us to change host and pay additonal every month. I’m trying to integrate this into my website so I need to host the files on our current server. Thanks for your help anyway, I’ll try to find if there’s any other causes to the streaming problem on my server now… thanks!!!
Hmm as far as your own web rack. I really don’t know what could be causing. A corrupt apache installation could be the culprit.
It could be with your internet connection in general. Maybe something is blocking video transfers or large files. I noticed that my web player was recognizing the video file, but when it goes to stream it, it just sits there and does nothing but show the loading icon.
I try to stay away from self hosting, so I am not as informed with problems and issues that arise on the hosting end. Wish I could be of more help.
oh crap! I was right about it… its my server that is giving the playback problems.
I tried using your link and it is working perfectly fine! Thanks for your help! Wouldn’t have find out the actual problem without your help. 
Anyway, we are not on any webhost. This is our own rack server, paying the datacenter for rack space and bandwitdh.
What are the possibilities that could be causing this to happen? Could it be Apache?
thanks….
So… it is your server. I just downloaded your video and uploaded on my server, with no changes, and it works great. You can check out your video on your server if you want to change the file path to http://howbits.com/zz.mp4 and see that it works for you.
But if I try to play it from your server it just sits there trying to load up. What web host are you on?
If you can answer a couple questions I will see what i can do.
what is your website?
What web host are you using?
Are you using JW player?
Hi, I was facing some problems with sreaming a MP4 on my site and I stumbled upon this post when search for soltuions.
I tried almost everything as stated on forums & sites but my problem just won’t go away.
1) My video wont play on IE7.
2) I need to refresh a few times to get the video to be playing on Firefox.
3) Sometimes afte few refreshes, it stops working on Firefox.
See, I saw your video here & I downloaded your video and use it on my site, it faces the same problems too but not on your site.
Was wondering could it be due to any server settings that is limiting my playback of MP4 at all.
Will appreciate deeply if you could render some help to me.
Thanks!!!
Thats great. Thanks for the link to this neat program..