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This hack has been withdrawn.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is such a thing as an unsupported mod (since people will ALWAYS ask for and expect support regardless) I have therefore withdrawn the file from download.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.

[mtlcore]

Hey man, I am willing to test it out if figure something out.

[SMO]

i couldnt get it to work either with youtube. I tried both links given on youtube

[mfyvie]

Originally Posted by SMO

i couldnt get it to work either with youtube. I tried both links given on youtube

I'd ask anyone reporting problems with this mod to give the following information:

• VBulletin version
• Mysql version
• PHP version
• Whether you have any mods which involve the rewriting of URLs installed.
• Post the exact URLs which didn't work
• Confirm that BB Code is enabled and working in the forum you are testing it on

If youtube isn't working, then try some of the other services, just to be sure that there isn't some issue going on.

Also - if people would like support for this mod - please click on installed before requesting support.

[Silvio]

gorgeous! :up:is what I was looking 4.
Ty so much for work *installed* I do try it now! :P

Is there the way to keep working the old bbcoded url '[media]' ? theywere used by VbMediaPlayer that I've uninstalled.

pls accept my apologises for my bad itanglish

take care

ciao

[mfyvie]

Silvio - if you have other bbcodes like [media] then these will not be affected. This mod simply converts certain URLs to certain BBCode, and installs that BBCode. You'll see when you have a look.

[theFAILURE]

Originally Posted by SMO

i couldnt get it to work either with youtube. I tried both links given on youtube

I guessing if you have BB code turned off it will not work.

That is what happened to me.

[mfyvie]

Originally Posted by theFAILURE

I guessing if you have BB code turned off it will not work.

That is what happened to me.

Most certainly!! Useful question to ask those that report problems I guess

[mfyvie]

I just followed up with someone else who had reported a problem to me. When they sent me a link to their post I noticed that the URL was no longer "naked" but had had the URL text automatically changed to the title of the target page (VBSeo does this by default, but mine is turned off).

This mod expects a "naked" URL. If you see something else appear in the post after you submit it other than exactly what you posted - this is not a naked URL.

If someone can help me out here and tell me what the other thing is that is screwing with the URL then I can try to work around it, or at least detect the settings and give an error message.

[Silvio]

Gorgeous! it is working perfectly on a vb3.6.7pl1 ty Installed.

Now I will try to understand how to replace in *forum posts the [media] & the [/media] nulling them.

any idea?

ty so much in anycase for this good work shared with all us!

[mfyvie]

Originally Posted by Silvio

Gorgeous! it is working perfectly on a vb3.6.7pl1 ty Installed.

Now I will try to understand how to replace in *forum posts the [media] & the [/media] nulling them.

any idea?

ty so much in anycase for this good work shared with all us!

You should probably post a request for that question somewhere else, since it has nothing to do with this mod. Ask "How do I remove old BB Code tags from existing posts?"