Show Thread Enhancements - Automatic Embedded Video (youtube, plus many more)

This hack has been withdrawn. Read on for an explanation. Shortly after the initial release I was contacted by another developer who had some ideas for the mod. This developer basically rewrote a new mod based on my original concept. Unfortunately we couldn't come to an agreement on a way to develop and support the future of this mod. Since he has released his mod separately, and it does pretty much everything my original mod did and is more efficient for those running large systems, I have decided to discontinue the further development of my mod. I took this decision because I don't believe that it makes sense to have two mods out there doing the same thing. I recommend to all users, both present and future, that you switch over to his mod instead (here). I've taken a look at it and I think it's a great mod and you'll all be very happy with it. I understand that he will also provide routines to import and convert tags used by my mod, this should also make your life easier.

Since I will not develop this mod further, I am also withdrawing support for it. Since I don't believe there is such a thing as an unsupported mod (since people will ALWAYS ask for and expect support regardless) I have therefore withdrawn the file from download. I hope some of you can understand my decision.

This mod has had a short but happy life, and I wish you all the best with the replacement mod. Thank you to everyone who has offered encouragement so far, and I hope to see you on my next mod.

I've left the original text below for historical reasons:


What does this mod do?

If a user copies and pastes a URL that links to a video streaming service (such as youtube) the mod will automatically take the URL and convert it into an embedded form directly in the post itself. Users can now play the videos directly from the thread! In other words:

• No template or file edits
• Nothing to configure
• Initial version supports sixteen different video sharing sites
• Pasted URLs are automatically converted to versions that display embedded video - in thread
• Option to include original URL in additional to providing embedded version.
• Forum, group and user permissions allow you to include or exclude who/what is affected by this mod.

How many services will it support?

The initial version contains support for sixteen different video services. If others contribute the required information for other services, this is likely to grow. The initial version (1.0) contains support for the following services:

Youtube, Metacafe, iFilm, Putfile, Bolt, Google Video, Guba, Grouper, Revver, Atom Films, Veoh, Myspace Video, Vimeo, Vmix, Eyespot, Liveleak, Sapo

Which services does it not support?

Many video sites don't provide enough information in the URLs to make automatic embedding possible. The following services were checked and found to be impossible to use with this mod:

Photobucket, Daily Motion, vidiLife, Yahoo Video, AOL Uncut, Yikers, vSocial, ManiaTV, Phanfare, CastPost, Jumpcut, Sharkle, Clipshack, Filecow, Break

Please don't request that these services be included in this mod - it's not possible. If you'd like to try and figure out how to do it yourself - please do!

Why is this different to other mods?

Other mods require you to enter BB Code yourself, but more importantly they require the user to have to add the tags themselves. Users are notoriously lazy and often won't even bother to use BB Code. This mod suits lazy users - it handles everything automatically without the user having to do anything - they just copy and paste the URL!

How do I install it?

Download the enclosed .xml file. In your AdminCP -> Plugins and Products -> Manage Products -> Add/Import Product use the browse button to upload the .xml file you just downloaded and make sure "Allow Overwrite" is set to yes if you are upgrading from a previous version. Click "Import". Installation time - 30 seconds.

How do I configure it?

Go to AdminCP -> vBulletin Options -> Automatic Embedded Video. All settings are pretty much self explanatory and there is nothing that needs to be changed for most forums.

Are there any limitations?

The hack will only work with properly formatted URLs. If the user mangles them, it may not work. Only new messages posted will be affected and this mod will not have any effect on any URLs you may paste in while editing. It will only take effect when you preview or submit new posts!

Is there a downside to this mod?

None that I can think of!

Will new services be added in future?

Possibly. Make sure you click "Installed" so that you'll be notified about new versions.

How can I expand it myself?

See the first post on this thread for details.

User Testimonials

What have people been saying about this mod?

"Anyway, this is be far the best mod of the year! something so simple, yet so effective! My members and myself love it. Thanks again." - hornstar1337

"No way! This Hack is simply a Must!!" - Silvio

"simply the best mod ever." - kushal

"You are my hero. My users are always F'n up the BBcode that should be so simple and now its idiot proof." - MortysTW

"Thanks very much for the mod - very simple to install yet useful as anything." - p0ng0

"Sorry I had to come and re-post how excited this mod has made me lol." - Fleabag

"Working great with vbSEO" - mtlcore

"I have only tested a few videos so far but works like a charm!!! What an awesome mod!!!" - RichieBoy67

Version History

1.0 - Initial release (23.06.2007) (updated a couple of hours after release with some minor fixes 01:31 24.06.2007 GMT)
1.1 - Feature upgrade (26.06.2007). Added ability to include/exclude users, groups or forums. Added feature to replace even when BB Code permissions don't allow it. Added feature to both embed the video AND display the original URL above the video. Loosened logic to include variations in URLs for certain services (different countries, domains, etc). Should cover a wider range of URLs now. More video services coming soon...

27.06.2007 - Mod withdrawn. Details above and here.

[dizzy100]

I just wanted to say that your doing an excellent job mfyvie and its extremely appreciated that you are not only releasing such an outstanding hack but also willing to listen, upgrade and give support. Nominated for MOTM

[TrIn@dOr]

Installed, thanks.

Perhaps u can add the feature to put (admin level) the background color of the objets.

[mfyvie]

Originally Posted by InTeNsE-HuMoR

One problem: It seems that if you edit a post and change the url of the video, it doesn't embed but instead just displays the url to the video.

Feel free to use my BB Codes with your mod to add more compatible video services. Links are in my signature. I'm going to nominate this for mod of the month as it is very useful for my forum.

That's correct - it won't embed URLs which are done in the edit mode - only new posts. You can manually use the bbcodes in this case though (see description of mod at the top of the page, this is covered). I checked the link in your signature - I just see the bbcode for livevideo (which I was about to add anyway). Have you done any other ones for any other services? The tricky part isn't the bbcode, it's extracting the right details from the URL!

Originally Posted by TrIn@dOr

Installed, thanks.

Perhaps u can add the feature to put (admin level) the background color of the objets.

I don't really want to clutter up the admin interface with options like this - it would also make life a bit more difficult, since these colours are all set differently in each BB Code depending on the embed code. Your best option be to edit the embed code in the BB Codes you wish to change. This way you can alter the background colours as you like.

[mfyvie]

Survey - I'm thinking of changing the direction of this mod slightly to improve the performance for people running large forums.

Up until now I have always tried to develop my mods as single .xml files, because these are ultra easy to install, and no file uploads are required.

However, in order to implement what I want to do there will need to be some file uploads also The Geek has written some code for me which I'm looking at including.

So this is just a quick survey - are you the type of person who only used this mod because there were no files to upload, or would you have tried it anyway, even if you had to upload some files?

Please note that I am not talking about file edits, or template edits or anything. Simply uploading files in addition to installing the .xml file.

Mark

[dizzy100]

I think for most of us we'll use the mod because of the added functionality. If that means uploading a few files, so be it, and i for one will be happy doing so.

You've made it super easy for us so far and a few file uploads won't change that

[InTeNsE-HuMoR]

Originally Posted by mfyvie

I checked the link in your signature - I just see the bbcode for livevideo (which I was about to add anyway). Have you done any other ones for any other services? The tricky part isn't the bbcode, it's extracting the right details from the URL!

I'm guessing you missed these two then?

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=149578
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=149696

Feel free to add them to this mod. Any credit would be appreciated.

[mfyvie]

Sorry, I thought those were BBCodes for non-video stuff, but on closer inspection you are absolutely right and I wasn't aware of those two sites and I'll include them. I can give you some credit on thread, but I don't want to clutter up the main page mentioning credit for everyone who points me to some bbcode, especially if the bbcode is quite simple.

Now if you can do me some bbcode for some of the sites I've listed under "Impossible" on the front page, I'll be really happy! (mind you, I've double checked some of them and I believe they may be possible)

[InTeNsE-HuMoR]

Originally Posted by mfyvie

Sorry, I thought those were BBCodes for non-video stuff, but on closer inspection you are absolutely right and I wasn't aware of those two sites and I'll include them. I can give you some credit on thread, but I don't want to clutter up the main page mentioning credit for everyone who points me to some bbcode, especially if the bbcode is quite simple.

Now if you can do me some bbcode for some of the sites I've listed under "Impossible" on the front page, I'll be really happy! (mind you, I've double checked some of them and I believe they may be possible)

Ok, glad I can contribute to this great mod. I'll take a look at the other and see what I can do.

[mfyvie]

Originally Posted by InTeNsE-HuMoR

Ok, glad I can contribute to this great mod. I'll take a look at the other and see what I can do.

I've attached my list of sites I've recorded later for following up. It includes URLs and embed code, as long as comments on whether it looks easy or not. Many of these are 5 minute jobs, but I just haven't had all of these 5 minutes yet, and also I don't want to include any new bb code until the next release, so have shifted these tasks to a lower priority.

You may find the attached text file saves you a lot of work if you want to churn out some bb code!

[InTeNsE-HuMoR]

Finally got Photobucket to work!

Tag:

[pb]

Replacement:

<embed width="430" height="389" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://vid172.photobucket.com/remix/player.swf?videoURL={param}" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>

Example:

[pb]http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/77086dm/89fc6002.pbr[/pb]

However I have no idea of how you are going to get it to work with this mod. It was a tough one to get working. I'll work on the others.

Here is the video link: click here

Here is what I used:

http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w...m/89fc6002.pbr

Basicly, the "share url" that is given by Photobucket but without this bit:

?action=view&current=