If you produce original video content, or refer to the work of others on your blog, or website you still have to find a web hosting service to stream the video. There is little need to tie up your own server space and bandwidth, or that of the servers hosting your site with video content. Even high definition streaming is available from these video web hosting services.
blip.tv: Video web hosting on blip.tv is free, and does not require the inclusion of ads. However, if you wish to opt-in for the inclusion of ads blip.tv will split the revenue with you 50/50. The limit on uploads for single files is 1 GB, but there is no limit on the video length, and no monthly limit on uploads.
Dailymotion: As a ‘Motionmaker’ you can upload an unlimited number of videos, of unlimited size and duration for free. But Dailymotion will serve videos with an ad banner at the bottom of the video the first time it is played by a user.
Facebook: A big plus from the standpoint of social marketing is that you have the opportunity to tag users of the Facebook service who appear in videos you post. Posting of high definition video is free, but is limited to a file size of 1 GB and a length of 20 minutes. Videos appear on their own page with advertising on the page.
SmugMug: By subscribing to a ‘Pro’ account for $149.95 per year you can get unlimited storage and traffic for your high definition videos, free of advertising. SmugMug will also preserve the original resolution of your videos, unlike some of the free video web hosting services.
Vimeo: With the ‘Vimeo Plus’ service you get up to 5 GB of uploads each week with a limit of 1 GB on file size, but no limit on the amount of storage you may use. The $59.95 per year subscription price also gives you control of domain privacy, embedded player customization, and advertising free presentation.
YouTube: This popular, ad supported video web hosting service supports a thriving community experience and allows posting of videos up to 2 GB in size and 10 minutes in length.
Although videos can be embedded there is no opportunity for player customization, and the characteristic YouTube logo remains displayed in the lower right of the video.
