Surprising discovery

[jetpack_monkey_ljarchive]

When I post vids, I usually only offer streaming. I have occasionally posted a file link because someone requested it of me, but the streaming has always been the important part. This year after Vividcon, anoel hounded me after my vid posts went up about when a file download link would be available, so I put one up for all three new vids.

I'm pretty invested in my viewing statistics and I was disappointed to find that the streaming Vimeo embeds weren't getting that many views. However, on a whim, I checked my Apache logs and found that the download numbers for all three vids were far above and beyond what the streaming view statistics were (sometimes by a factor of 10).

So, I ask you, Internet -- do you prefer downloading your vids? Why? Should I go back and provide downloads for all of my vids?

DW Post: http://jetpack-monkey.dreamwidth.org/453605.html ( comments). Comment at either location.

Comments

[killabeez.livejournal.com]

If I have a choice between DL or streaming, I will always download.

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

The overwhelming support for downloading has me considering changing how I view vids as well.

[kuwdora.livejournal.com]

I absolutely prefer download. While I use Vimeo and love their service, I only stream stuff from there for first viewing maybe 25% of the time and use it more as an initial resource to link people. I like downloads so I can play in VLC player that way I can ensure that there's no surprise framerate wonkiness in my viewing experience Additionally, I like to keep vids anyway for easy for rewatching purposes and have a filing system set up where all my vids are sorted by fandom/source and then label things by vidder's name and the vid's name. Also keep in mind, more and more people have ipods and and various tablets that they watch things on. I can personally say I keep a pretty hefty playlist of about 50-75 vids on my ipod at any time for watching while on the go.

while it's a giant pain in the butt to make the vid, export the vid. upload the vid. stream the vid. write the vid post, having more options, IMO is good, because everyone has their own preferences/system limitations, etc, that would force them to download or stream.

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

It's certainly not *that* much further out of my way to upload a separate copy to my server. I just never thought that it was that important, since I do almost all of my vid-watching on streaming services and only download vids I really love.

So, apparently, I will be making downloads available for all of my vids when I properly launch my new vidding site (which will happen after I re-export some of my horror vids to remove my real name from them).

[feochadn.livejournal.com]

Absolutely download.
Frankly, if there is only a streaming version and no dl. I won't even bother to watch the vid unless I am really motivated (and if I am I'll probably try to find a way to capture it).
Why? I don't like to wait for buffering (occasionally in the middle of the vid), I prefer to control the aspect ratio and frame rate and screen size (if there are problems) in VLC, and I much prefer my own organization system for later viewing, rather than bookmarks.

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

Good points all. I hadn't thought of any of that.

[lizbetann]

Count me in the download pool. I like having copies I can watch on my computer without having to search online, and I have been known to port them to my iPad/Apple TV/etc.

I do streaming because it seems to be expected and standard, but I like downloads better.

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

Huh. Okeydokey. I will definitely start providing downloads on a regular basis.

[airawyn.livejournal.com]

I like downloads. Streaming's gotten better, but it still stutters sometimes, especially if I have a lot of other things running (which I usually do).

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

Fair enough! I'll start prepping some download versions of my vids. Of my... 28 vids. Oy vey.

[milly.livejournal.com]

Honestly, if a streaming is available now I might watch the streaming version, and if I love the video, I absolutely download it. I don't like bookmarking vids for future viewing (because I already have SO MANY BOOKMARKS) AND I like having different folders for each vidders or fandom, etc.

Often times, I find that the streaming version tends to lag on my computer too, which sucks... So I absolutely prefer download.

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

Oooh, organizing vids by fandom/vidder. That sounds cool.

[milly.livejournal.com]

The only thing that fucks with my system is when vidders collab!... I may or may not just copy the file in both folders.

[elipie.livejournal.com]

I usually watch the stream and then download it if I really like it. If the stream is being glitchy or is taking a while to load, I'll just download it. It's interesting to see how many people just download right away!

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this was really unexpected!

[obsessive24.livejournal.com]

I like having both options. I have limited HD space so will preview via streaming first, and if I love it, I'll download for keeps. I never think in terms of "bookmarking a streaming page for keeps" though, it's always download if I plan to rewatch.

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

*nodnod* I'm going to start downloading my vids as well. I do occasionally think, "Man, what was that awesome vid?" and spend hours searching for it. So this will stop that, maybe.

[wiliqueen.livejournal.com]

I generally prefer streaming, as I want to keep only a fraction of the vids I see, and then that's what DownloadHelper is for. *shrug* But I'm a statistical outlier, at best, as far as the vidding community goes.

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

That's definitely why I plan on offering both streaming and downloads going forward -- there seems to be a demand for both.