Online video sharing alternative to YouTube?

[CottonEyedHorn]

I have loads of converted 8mm home movie clips, long ago burned to DVD. I'd like to share them online with extended family. Already ripped into .avi files of varying length (1 - 15 mins). YouTube would work except that I'd like to keep them relatively private (not shared w. the whole world) and YouTube's option for making videos Private is cumbersome at best. Any other online sharing service that would fit the bill?

 

[wherzwaldo]

What if you made a separate account for those videos, set them private to only that account, and then gave people the username/password?

 

[Dionysus]

Vimeo would be a good option. I've been using this rather than YT for a little over a year for all my video hosting and embedding. Some options (you'll need a Vimeo Plus account for some of this, about $60/year and worth it, in my opinion):- No 10 minute limit per video (I think YT still has this limit, not sure)
- You can control who can see it (on Vimeo.com) and which domains it can be embedded on (see screenshot below)
- You can also customize to some degree how your embeds look and behave (2nd screenshot)
- For privacy/security on Vimeo.com, create contacts for those who you want to be able to view the videos (they will need a free Vimeo account), and have those people log in and view. Nobody else will know the videos are there.

Vimeo Privacy

Vimeo Embedding

 

[HoustonHorn93]

I use Apple's MobileMe service for just this very thing. Works well.

 

[brntorng]

ditto MobileMe. Hosts regular or HD videos with no problem and provides controlled access.

 

[Dionysus]

I think Apple charges $99/year for MobileMe but I've seen the software on Amazon for as low as $65 - worth looking around for it.

 

[HoustonHorn93]

You are correct. Apple does charge for the service. If you were just getting it for the video and picturing sharing ability it's probably not worth it. We however have all of our primary email address through MobileMe and we're an all Mac family so it makes everything play nice between are many Apple products.

 

[CottonEyedHorn]

Thanks for the heads up on MobileMe but it appears you need an Apple product to use it. I don't have one. I'll also look into the Vimeo option.

 

[Dionysus]

For what it's worth, I've been really pleased with Vimeo. Their embedding code also supports mobile devices with HTML5 delivery, and this is important if you want the broadest compatibility for your videos. They also have a good user community and support forums with a lot of talented people participating.

One other thing I like with a hosting solution like YouTube, Vimeo or the others, is that you have an offsite backup for your video files. I keep local copies but I always know I can download the hi-res source file from Vimeo if I need to.