This page provides technical guidance on uploading videos to NanoTube.  Please see our filming guide for suggestions on how to design, film, and edit a video.

Understanding the 'Add a video' Page:

To upload a video, use this link after signing in to a Nanotation account.

The Title should be both informative and unique.  Simple html tags (e.g. _{_subscript} and ^{^superscript}) are allowed and encouraged in the title.

Use the Description field to submit a brief description of the video.  If the video is article-related please include the Digital Object Identifier using the following synatx:

The full article may be found at <a href="http://dx.doi.org/YOUR_DOI">this DOI.</a>

Categories control how a video is grouped with other videos.  Videos may be placed in multiple categories.

We recommend uploading video From local disk to ensure playback (instructions follow).

Tags denote keywords used to label the video.  On the video display page and following video playback, a listing of videos that share the same tag(s) will be displayed.  Multiple tags should be seperated by a single space.

Note that the first frame of your video will be used to create the displayed thumbnail.  However, custom thumbnails are available upon request.


Upload Suggestion A (from local disk):

If your video is under ~20 megabytes and the format is supported  (e.g. standard .avi, .flv, .mov, .mp4, .mpeg, .rm, .wmv version 9) please try a direct upload.  If the upload is successful and you are satisfied with the result no further action is necessary.

If the upload is successful but you are not satisfied with the result please contact us.


Upload Suggestion B (from local disk):

We suggest using a third-party video editor that is capable of producing a video file that meets the above requirements.  Quality settings may be adjusted and dimensions reduced to 320x240 to meet the ~20 megabyte upload limit.  However, please do not reduce the framerate to less than ~15 frames per second as doing so creates a visually-noticeable flicker.

Alternatively, MediaCoder is free/libre GUI video software that allows preview and correction of common problems.  The software will automatically create an optimized-for-NanoTube file when this custom preset file is used (right-click "Save as" and then within MediaCoder 'Add file', add your raw video, right-click the video, apply the preset via 'Set preset file' then 'Start').  Letterboxing will be added to widescreen videos.

Upload Suggestion C (from embed code):

If a video is uploaded to a third-party service that allows remote embedding (e.g., YouTube and Vimeo), select 'From embed code' and paste the provided embed code.  Also, please supply a 120px × 90px video thumbnail under 'screenshot url'.

Upload Suggestion D (from local disk & from internet):

The following mencoder command will automatically create an uploadable video:

[DOS or *nix prompt] mencoder high_quality_original.ext -ovc xvid  -xvidencopts pass=1  -vf scale=360:240  -zoom  -force-avi-aspect 4:3  -oac pcm  -o delete_me_when_done.avi && mencoder  high_quality_original.ext  -ovc xvid  -xvidencopts pass=2:bitrate=-13000  -vf scale=360:240  -zoom  -force-avi-aspect 4:3  -oac lavc  -lavcopts acodec=mp2:abitrate=128  -o ready_to_upload.avi

To run a Microsoft Windows-based conversion download the 'MPlayer 1.0rc2 Windows' package, extract to an installation folder, add the high quality original movie to the installation folder, navigate to the folder via 'Run'  --> type 'cmd' then enter --> type 'C:' or other drive letter if needed, then enter --> 'cd C:\your_installation_folder' --> run the above command --> locate the prepared video in the installation directory.

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If the first command is problematic (e.g. mismatched audio/video sync), try the following ffmpeg command:

[Linux prompt] ffmpeg  -i high_quality_original.ext  -ar 44100 -ab 56000 -aspect 4:3 -b 500000 -r 12 -f flv -s 360x240 -ac 1 upload_me.flv

This command will produce the same video format used internally by NanoTube and is compatible with the From internet option.

Upload Suggestion E (all):

Please contact us directly for assistance if the above options are unsuccessful.  We are able to remove uploaded videos, correct thumbnails, and provide guidance as needed.  Correspondace may be sent to:

(You may edit these directions.)