[Home] to paraglide.net [SD Log] [Amigo] [Activity] [Photo] [Comments] [Incidents] [Weather] [SBSA] [SCPA]

Vimeo Playback Size (Resolution) Selection and Indication

This notation is an update to the original [archived version] written as a posting to a Vimeo Discussion Forum.

Compared to YouTube and Lynda.com, the Vimeo playback resolution options seem ambiguous. There appear to be only 2 options, HD and Non HD. The account owner can specify if HD means 720P or 1080P, but this information doesn't seem to be communicated to the end viewer. So an account owner might upload a 1080P video, and enable 1080P playback, but then the end viewer's only options are 1080P or 480P? Is there no way for an end viewer to select 720P if their internet connection is too slow for 1080P?

Regarding the ambiguity of the Blue HD indicator button: I was able to figure out by trial and error that solid Blue is HD (720 or 1080) and non Blue is 480P. Clicking on the solid blue button will toggle to non-HD, which is perhaps counter intuitive for half the users. The only way for a casual viewer to know is to experiment, which many end viewers may not engage in.

Perhaps Vimeo could replace the HD button with a S-M-L indicator button set (to equated to 480P, 720P, and 1080P) configured so the size (small, medium, or large) will illuminate when selected, and if not available then it can be x'ed out? Lynda.com lets the end viewer select between 360, 540, and 720. YouTube provides even more range up to the actual upload resolution. My preference would be to show the actual size numbers rather than S-M-L, but S-M-L would required less real estate

Vimeo seems to be outdated from a player perspective, but Vimeo does offer advantages like a "Download" option. See [Download vs Streaming Notes]

The only feasible workaround that I currently see is to upload twice, setting one video to play at 720P for HD and the other to play at 1080P for HD, and include links near the top of the description to let the end viewer toggle back and forth. Somewhat clunky and a waste of disc space and bandwidth, but there don't currently appear to be other options, or am I just not seeing them?

8/9/2015 update:  Rather than double uploading multiple resolutions, I think I'll include a notation recommending Downloading rather than Streaming if Stuttering is an issue on slow internet connections.