Inserting video and audio files
Use the Media Wizard to insert a video or audio file into the current document. The Media Wizard supports the following browser controls and plugins for playing multimedia content:
- Windows Media Player
- QuickTime Player
- RealOne Player (RealPlayer)
To insert a video or audio file
- On the Insert menu, click Insert Media in the Multimedia section, and then click Media Wizard.
- Under Step 1: Select media file, enter the path or URL of the media file you want to insert, or click
(Browse) to find and select a media file from your local file system. Once you specify a media file, the Media Wizard will automatically select the appropriate player based on the file’s extension.
- Click Next.
- Specify the options and settings you want the player to use. (See the explanations below.)
- Click Finish.
When using the Media Wizard, you cannot select the player to use, even if the specified media file’s format is supported by more than one player. To use a player other than the one autoselected by the Media Wizard: on the Insert menu, click Insert Media in the Multimedia section and then click the command corresponding to the player you want to use.
Another way to insert a video or audio file is to drag it from Windows Explorer to the Edit window.
General options
These options apply to all media objects. All of these settings are optional—you can leave them blank or accept the default values.
ID
If you plan to use the media object in a script, enter an ID by which the object will be referred. The ID must begin with a letter and contain only letters, digits, hyphens, underscores, and periods.
Width and Height
Enter numbers to specify the width and height of the player either in pixels or as a percentage of the size of the parent containerThe element, frame, or window that immediately contains the current element..
Horizontal spacing and Vertical spacing
You can specify the size of the margins on the sides (horizontal spacing) and/or above and below (vertical spacing) the media object, in pixels.
Alignment
You can specify how the media object will be aligned with respect to adjacent content. The alignment options are the same as those for images; see “Setting an image’s alignment” for examples. The default alignment is Bottom.
Play and screen options for Windows Media Player
These options are available for media objects that will be played with the Windows Media Player control.
Auto start
The media clip will begin playing as soon as the browser has finished downloading it.
Show tracker
The player will show a slider that allows the user to jump to a point in the media clip. (Note: the tracker will not be visible if the Show controls option is not selected.)
Show controls
The player will show controls for controlling the progress and sound volume of the media clip.
Show goto bar
The player will show a drop-down menu displaying a list of markers in the media file, if any have been defined. The user can select a marker to jump to the corresponding position in the media clip.
Show info
The player will show a panel containing information about the media clip, such as its name, author, and copyright notice.
Show status bar
The player will show a bar displaying status information.
Auto size
The player will automatically adjust its size to fit the media clip.
Play and screen options for QuickTime
These options are available for media objects that will be played with the QuickTime plugin.
Auto start
The media clip will begin playing as soon as the browser has finished downloading it.
Loop
The media clip will play again from the beginning when its end is reached.
Show controls
The player will show controls for controlling the progress and sound volume of the media clip.
Scale
- Stretch to fit: The media clip will be stretched to fit the specified dimensions of the player.
- Keep aspect: The media clip will be scaled proportionally to fit the specified height of the player, preserving its original aspect ratio.
Play and screen options for RealOne Player
These options are available for media objects that will be played with the RealOne (or RealPlayer) plugin.
Auto start
The media clip will begin playing as soon as the browser has finished downloading it.
Loop
The media clip will play again from the beginning when its end is reached.
Center (auto size)
The player will automatically adjust its size to fit the media clip.
Main aspect
The media clip will be scaled proportionally to fit the specified height of the player, preserving its original aspect ratio.
Controls
Click to select the controls you want the player to show.
Javascript file path
This option is automatically selected if you’ve selected the option, Save javascript file for tags(object, applet, embed) on the Save tab of the Preferences dialog box. The default name of a JavaScript file that your media file will be saved as appears on the text bo
x. Click Browse and set the location where you want to save the javascript file. You can also change the file name.
Save as javascript file
Select this option if you want to insert the media file and save it as a JavaScript. When you select this option, the default file name appears on the box.