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Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles

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elderban
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Nov 1, 2006, 6:35 PM

Post #1 of 30 (7540 views)
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Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles	Can't Post

Embedding video from popular sites such as YouTube, MetaCafe, Google Video, and other video sharing sites seems to be a popular fad now, so I thought I would write a quick tutorial on how to add embedded video to your articles.

The first thing you want to do is create a field for your article editor that you can put the embedded code into. To do this, head to Admin > Database Editor then click on edit table & fields for db_article.

Next you'll want to click on the Add field button.

For the Field Label you can use "Embedded Video".
For the Field Name you can use "embeddedVideo".
For the Field Type select "Text Box".

For the Advanced Options / Field Options select Text Only for the Editor Type.

The rest can be left alone.

Next, click on Save.

Now the new field will appear at the end of the list, which means it will also appear at the bottom of the Article Editor. You can change the Order Number to place it wherever you want it to show up when you add or edit an article.

Now to insert it into your article. Where you want to place the video is up to you, but you'll want to use the following code to put it there.

Open up templates/articlePages/articlePage.html in your cgi-bin directory and insert the code below wherever you want the video to show up:

Code

   <!-- templateIf : $article.embeddedVideo$ ne "" --> 
         <center>$article.embeddedVideo$</center> 
   <!-- /templateIf -->

And then Publish or re-Publish your files and any embedded video code you have added to your articles should show up!

Bryan Gilchrist

(This post was edited by elderban on Nov 1, 2006, 6:38 PM)

MEKAEEL
User

Nov 2, 2006, 8:29 AM

Post #2 of 30 (7518 views)
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Re: [elderban] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

this is so cool Smile

thank you so much for the tutorial,

it's really great to use the potential of this great product Laugh

elderban
User

Nov 2, 2006, 6:55 PM

Post #3 of 30 (7498 views)
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Re: [MEKAEEL] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks! I am working on a few others including an image pop-up for thumbnails in articles (instead of loading a new page with the image in it), but I need to figure out a way to get around the auto image resizing that's built into the browsers now. Crazy

Bryan Gilchrist

jpea1
User

Feb 12, 2007, 5:14 AM

Post #4 of 30 (7063 views)
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Re: [elderban] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

I followed this easy & handy tutorial step by step and got mixed results. Everything worked fine except it strips out or disables the important embedded code - the linked video doesn't play although the player and controls are visible exactly where I placed it. Is there a part 2 to this tutorial?

Incidentally, I am trying to implement my (real estate) videos via a new video sharing website www.wellcomemat.com. Worth a look.

jpea1

(This post was edited by jpea1 on Feb 12, 2007, 4:57 PM)

jpea1
User

Feb 12, 2007, 7:59 AM

Post #5 of 30 (7056 views)
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Re: [jpea1] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just a follow up...I made the change in the regular template directory. I re-read the tutorial and it says make the change in the "cgi-bin directory". (I don't recall making any prior changes in this directory...it was suggested to me to limit my template changes to the template directory and I'm hesitant to mess things up. But then again I'm no expert.) Maybe this is where the issue is? Before I make the change in the cgi-bin directory, however, I just wanted to double check if this is where I need to apply the change - in the "cgi-bin directory".

Thanks - jpea1

(This post was edited by jpea1 on Feb 12, 2007, 5:05 PM)

ross
Staff / Moderator

Feb 13, 2007, 11:25 AM

Post #6 of 30 (7015 views)
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Re: [jpea1] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi there

Thanks for posting!

The changes you need to make here will be on your templates which are typically saved in your cgi-bin folder. Now, this isn't always the case though so if you don't use the cgi-bin, don't worry. Some servers are setup to not need a cgi-bin folder so as long as you are working on the actual templates, it doesn't really matter where they are.

Does that help? Give it a shot and keep us up to date with how you are making out :).
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cheers,
Ross Fairbairn - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

Hire me!
Save time by getting our experts to help with your project. Template changes, advanced features, full integration, whatever you need. Whether you need one hour or fifty, get it done fast with Priority Consulting.

jpea1
User

Feb 13, 2007, 11:32 AM

Post #7 of 30 (7012 views)
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Re: [ross] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Ross. If I understand you correctly, make the modifications in either the regular template or cgi-bin template, it doesn't matter as long as it's the proper template - got it.

But back to the original question (see prior post). Why is my code being stripped out or disabled? The player and controls are visible where it needs to be but the video does not play?

Thanks - jpea1

ross
Staff / Moderator

Feb 14, 2007, 1:38 PM

Post #8 of 30 (6997 views)
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Re: [jpea1] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi there.

Thanks for the update!

I am not too familiar with the way welcomemat.com handles videos so it might have something to do with the code itself. I would check that the path to your video is actually correct on the published page. To do that, go to a published page in your browser and view the source. You should see all the code that you entered into the field in Article Manager. This is where you look for the path. It will be in the <embedd> tags somewhere.

Now, if you wanted, you could post up a copy of what you are pasting into your field as well as a copy of your template so I can try it out on our internal demos.

How does that sound? I look forward to hearing from you Smile

.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cheers,
Ross Fairbairn - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

jpea1
User

Feb 14, 2007, 1:56 PM

Post #9 of 30 (6994 views)
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Re: [ross] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Ross.

I don't think it's the player at all. I've tried it with Windows Media Player as well with the same results. After I press "apply" or "ok" in the html editor in the create/modify article process, I can see that the code gets changed in AM2. Basically it just removes all the links...(I seem to recall reading something in a Forum post about a security feature in AM2 that may be preventing the code form staying in tact...not sure.)

I think in this case seeing is believing and the easiest way to get a handle on it is to kindly log on to www.wellcomemat.com and embed any of the sample videos in your IT test website - it's very easy. Let me know how you make out Ross.

Thanks - jpea1 :)

Donna
Staff / Moderator

Feb 15, 2007, 5:36 PM

Post #10 of 30 (6975 views)
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Re: [jpea1] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi there,

Well, that's the problem there... when I tried it ... it worked just fine. :)

One thing to check -- when you enter in the code, are you entering it into a WYSIWYG field? If so, you'll want to either switch to a regular text field, or make sure you're entering it into the HTML code directly (although returning & editing it may cause the WYSIYWG editor to strip some code out -- a non-WYSIWYG field is definitely recommended for code like this.)

Alternately, it may be your hosting provider trying to strip out the code.

Can you let me know what specifically is getting stripped out?

Donna

jpea1
User

Feb 15, 2007, 7:52 PM

Post #11 of 30 (6969 views)
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Re: [Donna] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Donna but it's not making any sense. Sorry...

Here's what I've done so far. I have completed the tutorial and successfully set up the embedded video field in the article creation/modify page. When I copy the code for the video player (which I presume includes link to an existing video) and paste it in the <> (pop up) embedded video field editor box some of the code is highlighted in blue telling me there are links of some kind. Great! Fantastic! However, as soon as I hit "apply" in the <> editor pop up box, the blue text disappears or gets stripped out and all the code text goes to black (and also readjusts a bit). To me this suggests that the linked code wasn't saved in the embedded video field - the link is not being preserved and being converted to plain text (consisting of the video player only). But when I save and view the article page anyway, hoping to get lucky, the video player appears where I want it in the article perfectly, but the video does not play. Perhaps I am pasting it in the wrong location in the embedded video field I created according to the tutorial?

Also "switch to a regular text field", huh? I'm not sure what this means? I am sure I'm not entering the video player code into the WYSIWYG field b/c as I've found that would just show the code as plain text. Also when I create or modify an article, I only know of the "summary:" and "content" WYSIWYG creation boxes (aka http://www.mysite.com/artman2/admin.cgi?action=articleEdit&num=32). Is there another way to create/modify/save an article directly within AM2? As you may infer, I am a bit confused by all this...and I apologize.

As for my host, wouldn't the "article preview" allow me to view the video before it is saved (to my host server)? Plus my hosting package specifically includes streaming media capabilities. But if not I will certainly check with the host.

Thank you Donna - jpea1:)

Donna
Staff / Moderator

Feb 16, 2007, 11:22 AM

Post #12 of 30 (6955 views)
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Re: [jpea1] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi there. :)

You know, what I think I'd recommend is filling out a support request -- https://www.interactivetools.com/support/email_support.cgi

That way, we can pop in and give it a try directly and see what's going on. :)

Donna

jpea1
User

Feb 21, 2007, 5:55 AM

Post #13 of 30 (6894 views)
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Re: [Donna] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

A Solution to the Embedded Video Issue Attained!

Thanks to Donna's a patience and fine efforts I was able to resolve the video issue! And I'd like to share the wealth with everyone for their benefit as well:

1. Follow the steps in the tutorial exactly as outlined (see below when you get to setting the "Field Options" in Admin). What you will end up with is a brand new field complete with the field name and text box in your Article create/modify menu where you can easily enter (e.g., copy & paste, create...) the video code of your choosing.

2. However, in the Admin>Database Edit>select "edit table and fields" for Articles> part of the preceding process, be absolutely sure to do two things: 1. under Field Options switch it to "Text Only" and 2. if you are using this specific field to embed (video) code aka copy and paste it from your source or I assume where you might write your own if you're up to it, be sure to check/select the "Disable Auto-Formatting" box.

Both steps are very important and it's essentially where I got hung up. (I chose WYSIWYG because I thought it would be easier...I figured what the heck, by using the <> pop up in the WYSIWYG editor and entering the code there, selecting "apply" and saving the article, what could go wrong? I know, next time follow the directions...)

Anyway, as it turns out although the WYSIWYG editor in general is a cool AM2 feature, evidently it is not very reliable or "user friendly" when it specifically concerns embedded video code. The "WYSIWYG's mischievous ways" were playing out in what I referred to as "stripping out" or reformatting of the code which prevented the playing of the video (even though the player was visible in the article page).

So the up shot is by following these steps, if embedding a fun or interesting video on your article pages is on your AM2 wish list, the process to get you there will hopefully now be a snap for you too.
jpea1

(This post was edited by jpea1 on Feb 21, 2007, 9:11 PM)

ChetW
Staff

Feb 21, 2007, 1:10 PM

Post #14 of 30 (6878 views)
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Re: [jpea1] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi jpea1

Thanks for the excellent overview!

I'm sure that there are many people who will find this useful. :)
Cheers,
Chet Woodside - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

barkhad
User

Oct 15, 2007, 6:21 AM

Post #15 of 30 (5702 views)
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Re: [jpea1] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

What an excellent piece of information jpea1, It worked great!..

Since this works fine within the articlePage templates, how would you go about doing this on the front page? Like say uploading the video on your globalindex page using the same method, what further steps do you need to take.

I understand jpea1 is way gone...so any response from anyone would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Barkhad

Donna
Staff / Moderator

Oct 15, 2007, 9:58 AM

Post #16 of 30 (5698 views)
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Re: [barkhad] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Barkhad,

The only thing that would change is that you'd put the template code into your globalIndex template. :) You'll want to make sure it's within the articleRow templatecell, but other than that... nothing else changes. :)

Donna

jpea1
User

Oct 15, 2007, 2:20 PM

Post #17 of 30 (5690 views)
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Re: [barkhad] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Glad it worked out for your on the globalIndex and articlePage Barkhad. But the real praise goes to Donna who patiently helped me through it initially and now you.

As a side, in addition to video, checkout www.soundslides.com too for a flash & audio presentation. Lots of fun, easy to use and much room for creative expression.

jpea1

barkhad
User

Oct 17, 2007, 9:28 PM

Post #18 of 30 (5651 views)
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Re: [jpea1] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey guys, thanks for the response i gave it a go, but i had no luck in solving it =(...

Actually the idea was to place the Youtube video on the frontpage, somewhere on the far right of my page, so is it possible to do this, since i have to place the code within:

articleRow templatecell

If it all, is it possible to update the Youtube videos without having to make an independent article for each update, if you know what i mean?...

I guess we can just modify the same article give it an old date, so it doesn't show up in the catagories, and just modify that article again & again.

Thanks again guys, you have been very helpful.

Barkhad

Donna
Staff / Moderator

Oct 19, 2007, 9:18 AM

Post #19 of 30 (5599 views)
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Re: [barkhad] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Barkhad,

You'll definitely need to have an article to be able to update it, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a new article -- you could always just create a specific article and set it to always show on the front page of your site. Would something like that work?

Donna

barkhad
User

Oct 23, 2007, 2:29 AM

Post #20 of 30 (5527 views)
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Re: [Donna] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Donna,

Thanks for all your help, I did what you had adviced me to do & I placed the code within the articleRow templatecell... I have updated the article the video does showup within the article, however it didn't appear on the front page at all...I'm not sure what the cause could be. I have the code both inside the globalindex template and the articlePage.

Furthermore is it possible to get around placing the code within the articleRow templatecell all together??, because it doesn't allow alot of flexibility because I was hoping to have the Embedded Video appear outside articleRow.

Let me know if this is big task, or if it can be done at all.

Cheers,

Barkhad

Jake
Staff / Moderator

Oct 25, 2007, 4:57 PM

Post #21 of 30 (5432 views)
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Re: [barkhad] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi barkhad,

Thanks for your post!

It's a tough to tell why the video won't show up on the front page without taking a look at your template directly. Chances are though that there's a mistake in the code somewhere that's throwing things off. Try double-checking everything to make sure that nothing has been overlooked.

There is a way to display the video code in a different location on your pages. What you would need to do is set up a new publishing rule that generated an article list separate from your main index page. You could then use an include statement on your main index template that brought in this video content. Using this method, you can control where the videos are outputted and still have them automatically updated. If you'd like further direction on this let us know.

Don't hesitate to contact us. Smile

-----------------------------------------------------------
Cheers,
Jake Swanson - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

barkhad
User

Oct 28, 2007, 11:30 PM

Post #22 of 30 (5167 views)
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Re: [Jake] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

I managed to make it work from Donna's instructions...Finaly! =), thanks for your help Donna & Jake.

However I am really interested about the new publishing rule that uses an include statement on my main index template. Jake, do you think you can explain that a little, I'm sure this will be beneficial to many.

Cheers Jake,

Barkhad

Donna
Staff / Moderator

Oct 30, 2007, 1:41 PM

Post #23 of 30 (5058 views)
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Re: [barkhad] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Barkhad!

Actually, the premise is exactly the same as the "Featured Articles" tutorial we wrote last year. You can see this here:

http://www.interactivetools.com/docs/doc.cgi?/articlemanager2/tutorials/featuredArticle.html

Give that a try and let me know how it goes. :)

Donna

webgroup
User

Jul 1, 2008, 7:12 PM

Post #24 of 30 (1478 views)
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Re: [Donna] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

I tried this and its not working, were the video is suppose to show Im only getting: $article.embeddedVideo$

Please help

Donna
Staff / Moderator

Jul 2, 2008, 11:30 AM

Post #25 of 30 (1463 views)
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Re: [webgroup] Tutorial: Adding Embedded Video [YouTube, MetaCafe, etc.] To Your Articles [In reply to]	Can't Post

That generally means that Article Manager doesn't recognize the placeholder -- do you have the field setup named exactly the same?

Donna

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