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This hack has been withdrawn.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such a thing as an unsupported mod (since people will ALWAYS ask for and expect support regardless) I have therefore withdrawn the file from download.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

[mfyvie]

Would you like to expand the range of services this mod can handle automatically?

Before asking for support please read this handy guide to how this works.

Known Issues

This list will be updated with information as and when it is known to me. Please check here first before reporting a problem, and check back later to see if there are any updates to this list.

• Conflicts with Hide Hack. Status: one of the BB Codes used in this mod may conflict with the hide hack. No further information available from any users of the hide hack at this stage - therefore this will not be investigated yet.
• Conflict with Viper's youtube hack. Status: Not possible for me to resolve this due to aggressive behaviour in this hack. See here for details. Possible solution here.

Before Asking for Support

Assuming your issue isn't solved by anything above, or other comments on the thread (yes, please actually read the thread before reporting a problem), please supply the following information when you report a problem:

• Mysql version
• Php version
• Vbulletin version
• Do you have VBSEO installed?
• Do you have any other mods that rewrite URLs installed?
• Have you checked that BB Code is installed in the forum you are testing it in?
• Have you tested more than one service (i.e. not just youtube)?
• Do your URLs appear naked (unchanged from the way you pasted them)?
• Please post any URLs which are not working for you so I can see them!
• If possible, include a link to the test post on your forum so I can see it.

Also - do not ask for support if you have not clicked "Install".

[raiderlax]

Wow this looks sweet, im going to install it now!

[mtlcore]

Good job man! Been waiting for this for a long time!!!

[mtlcore]

It would be great if it would automatically edit the old posts..

[raiderlax]

This isn't really working for me, I input the url into a new post and it just shows up with the url? I tried a youtube url.

[mfyvie]

Originally Posted by mtlcore

Good job man! Been waiting for this for a long time!!!

So was I - I was surprised how lame some of the other mods were, and many of my users just weren't bothering to use the BB Code I provided for them.

When I checked to see how this could be done, it was surprisingly easy - I'm really surprised that nobody has done a decent mod along these lines up until now! Hopefully others will pitch in and help to expand it.

[da420]

I marked as installed. Will look into tonight.

Here's the Break BBCode I have created for my site which I would love to see included. Thank you.

Title: Break Embed Code
 
Tag: break
 
Replacement: <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350" data="http://embed.break.com/{param}">
<param name="movie" value="http://embed.break.com/{param}" />
<param name="wmode" value="transparent" />
</object>
 
Example: [break]MjU3ODkx[/break]

[mtlcore]

Originally Posted by raiderlax

This isn't really working for me, I input the url into a new post and it just shows up with the url? I tried a youtube url.

It worked for me in less than 10 seconds!!

All I did was import the product > create new post. Bam!

[mfyvie]

Originally Posted by raiderlax

This isn't really working for me, I input the url into a new post and it just shows up with the url? I tried a youtube url.

I've sent you a PM so we can figure that out without cluttering up this thread.

Originally Posted by mtlcore

It would be great if it would automatically edit the old posts..

In theory this could be possible. If there's enough interest shown and someone willing to test it I'll whip up something to do the existing posts.

Originally Posted by da420

I marked as installed. Will look into tonight.

Here's the Break BBCode I have created for my site which I would love to see included. Thank you.

Thanks for that - I'll put it into the next version. But please see the first post on this thread I've made instructions for people to add things themselves. You could use pretty much the same regular expression as for the youtube entry.

Originally Posted by mtlcore

It worked for me in less than 10 seconds!!

All I did was import the product > create new post. Bam!

Ok, I'm glad it works - sometimes it's hard to know what will happen when you release something. It works fine on my system