What is the video length & size limit that I upload to SmugMug?

Introduction

SmugMug is a popular online platform for photographers and visual storytellers to showcase their work. When uploading videos to SmugMug, it's important to be aware of the length and file size limits in order to have your videos published smoothly. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of SmugMug's video requirements so you can optimize your videos accordingly.

Video Length Limit

There is No Set Time Limit for Video Length on SmugMug

One of the best aspects of SmugMug is that there are no hard limits on video length for uploads. You can upload videos of any length - short clips, longer videos, even feature length films. This flexibility makes SmugMug ideal for videographers with diverse content.

Recommended Length for Optimal Streaming

However, while there are no strict limits, SmugMug recommends keeping videos under 15-20 minutes in length for the best streaming experience. Longer videos may buffer slowly and lead to playback issues.

Techniques to Work With Long Videos

If you do need to upload longer videos, there are a couple techniques to improve the viewer experience:

• Chunk long videos into smaller parts. You can break up an hour long video into 15 minute sections and create a SmugMug "album" to keep them organized.
• Provide steaming options. Offer both high-res and lower-res versions so viewers can choose based on their internet speeds.
• Use chapter markers. Adding chapters makes it easier for viewers to jump through longer videos.

So feel free to upload those long recordings, just take steps to optimize streaming!

Video File Size Limit

Max File Size is 512MB for Individual Files

SmugMug does enforce maximum file size limits on video uploads. The current size limit is 512MB per file.

Recommended Size for Faster Uploads

For fastest upload speeds, SmugMug recommends keeping video files under 100MB when possible. The larger the file, the longer the upload time.

Techniques to Work With Large Files

If your video files are larger than the 512MB limit, here are some tips:

• Compress the video to reduce file size. You can lower bitrates and resolution without too much quality loss.
• Split into multiple parts to keep each video under 512MB.
• Upload separately then organize into an album or gallery.

So in summary, while SmugMug is flexible with video length, be mindful of the 512MB file size limit when preparing your videos for upload.

Recommended Video Encoding Settings

To ensure your videos look great on SmugMug and stream smoothly, they recommend using these encoding settings:

• File Format: MP4 or MOV
• Resolution: 1920x1080 or 1280x720
• Bitrate: 5-10 Mbps
• Framerate: 24fps or 30fps
• Audio: AAC, 192-320kbps

This combination of resolution, bitrate, framerate, and audio settings will provide high quality while minimizing file size for streaming.

Some additional tips for optimal encoding:

• Use 2-pass encoding for best quality
• Avoid interlacing and pulldown
• Use progressive scan
• Set keyframe interval to 24-48 frames

Adding Videos to SmugMug

Once your videos are properly encoded and sized, adding them to SmugMug is simple:

Upload from Computer

You can manually select video files from your computer to upload. There is no limit on the number of videos you can add this way.

Embed from YouTube or Vimeo

Include videos from YouTube, Vimeo, or other sites by embedding them right on your SmugMug page.

Link to External Videos

To save storage space, you can also put your video files on a different host, then link to them from your SmugMug gallery.

SmugMug makes it easy and flexible to get your videos online - just be mindful of the length and file size limits for the optimal viewing experience!

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to ever lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply Download PicBackMan (it's free!), register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

FAQs about SmugMug Video Requirements

What is the maximum length for videos on SmugMug?

There is no absolute maximum length for SmugMug videos. You can upload videos of any length. However, they recommend keeping videos under 15-20 minutes for smoother streaming.

What should I do if my video file size is over 512MB?

If your video exceeds the 512MB file size limit, try compressing it, splitting it into parts, or hosting it externally and embedding it on SmugMug.

What resolution should I encode my videos at?

SmugMug recommends uploading 1080p or 720p videos encoded at 5-10Mbps. Higher resolutions are supported but will increase file size.

Does SmugMug allow 360° or VR videos?

Yes, 360° and VR videos are fully supported on SmugMug. They can be viewed interactively using smartphones or VR headsets.

Can I upload and sell video files through SmugMug?

Yes! You can host your videos on SmugMug and sell digital downloads or streams to customers. You keep 100% of your profits.

How many videos can I put on a single SmugMug page?

There is no set limit - you can add unlimited videos to a single gallery or page on your SmugMug site.

Conclusion

SmugMug provides photographers and videographers with a powerful platform to showcase their work. By understanding SmugMug's video length and size requirements, you can optimize your footage so it looks stunning and streams smoothly for your audience. Just be mindful of the recommended encoding specs, 512MB size limit, and 15-20 minute length guidance. With SmugMug's unlimited uploads and customization options, you have incredible creative freedom to produce vivid visual stories and share your passion projects with the world.