General
Should I stay on Hey!Watch during a transferring or encoding process?
You can if you like, but you don’t have to. When encoding or transferring, you can do whatever you want, even shut down your computer.
What is the max video length?
There is no max video length but according to it, the cost will be different. For the first 45 minutes, this is 1 credit, and 1 credit more for each additional 15 minutes. So for example:
- For a 30min video, it will be 1 credit
- For a 60min video, it will be 2 credits (1 credit for the first 45min and 1 credit for the last 15min)
- For a 160min video, it will be 9 credits (1 credit for the first 45min and 8 credits for the last 115min)
What is the cost to encode in HD format?
Encoding in HD will just cost 1 credit more than the normal standard. For the first 45 minutes, this is 2 credits, and 2 credits more for each additional 15 minutes. So for example:
- For a 30min video, it will be 2 credits
- For a 60min video, it will be 4 credits (2 credits for the first 45min and 2 credits for the last 15min)
- For a 160min video, it will be 18 credits (2 credit for the first 45min and 16 credits for the last 115min)
How long does the encoding process take?
It depends on the number of users on the site. Sometimes your encoded video is available in few seconds, sometimes in few minutes. But we are working hard to minimize the process time by adding encode servers. Also see “Why does the encoding time change so much?”.
How can I access HW via a mobile phone?
You just need to have a mobile with a browser supporting XHTML and connect to http://heywatch.com as usual.
Video encoding
Why is my device not available?
Every day, there are more and more devices coming out. We make the best sellers available first. Nevertheless, if you notice that yours is not available, send us a mail at heywatch[at]particle-s.com with all the specs. Then, we will add it to the list as a standard.
What output formats are currently supported?
Video formats are:
- avi
- mp4
- 3gp
- psp
- mpeg
- mpegts
- dvd
- flv
- svcd
- vcd
- vob
- asf
- mov
- rm
- mjpeg
- mpeg2video
- 3g2
video codecs are:
- mpeg4
- xvid
- flv
- h263
- mjpeg
- mpeg1video
- mpeg2video
- qtrle
- svq3
- wmv1
- wmv2
- huffyuv
- rv20
- h264
Audio codecs are:
- mp3
- mp2
- aac
- pcm
- amr_nb
- ac3
- vorbis
- flac
- pcm_u8
Which formats are not supported?
Audio codec: AAC with 5.1 channels, Qcelp (used sometimes in 3g2 files)
video codec: RV40.
Why should I create my own format?
By creating your own format, you can precisely adapt your video to your device, to your disk space… You can choose to improve video quality, or to reduce final size. Customize your video however you want it.
How do I create my own format?
When you are on the encode page, you can choose to create your own format. You can make it from scratch or from an existing one.
Why doesn’t the video I encoded with my own format work on my device?
Each format has its own quirks that could keep it from being played on a given device. Before using a format, be sure that it is compatible with your device.
I created a format to encode into the new Flash H264, but I get an encoding error, why?
You probably didn’t respect the format specs. The flash H264 is just an MP4 video, so no more flv and mp3. Here are the data you must use:
- Container: mp4
- Video codec: h264
- Audio codec: AAC
Why does the encoding time change so much?
It depends on the output format you choose and the input format too.
How can I improve the video quality?
Before answering this question, you must know that you cannot make a better quality video than the original. But, if a standard format’s output quality is’nt cutting it, you can change the video bitrate by creating a new format. The higher the bitrate you choose, the better the quality will be.
Transferring videos
What kind of sources are supported?
- Online Video services
- Web pages containing direct video links
- Video podcast feeds
- URL for a video
What are the supported video services?
Go to transfer page, all the services are printed in the sidebar.
How do I use the Bookmarklet button?
Just drag and drop the link from the tools page in your browser’s bookmark toolbar. Then, just click on it when you’d like to get videos from the page you’re at.
Why did my transfer fail?
There could be many reasons:
- The page or the video doesn’t exist anymore (404 error)
- The video is too big or too long (depending on your plan)
- The site doesn’t respond correctly (bad mime types, bad HTTP code, bad URL…)
- The site doesn’t respond quickly enough (Timeout)
Why does my transfer from the Web stop at xx%?
Sometimes, online video services take too long to answer our request and cause timeouts during your transfer. It’s no big deal, just try the transfer again.
Podcast retrieving
How do I subscribe to my encoded videos feed?
Just copy the link of the feed icon (on your dashboard) and paste it in your video podcast client with your username/pass and it will get your encoded videos automatically.
What client do you suggest?
Our selected video podcast client is Juicer. You can download it here. You can also use iTunes from Apple, but it only supports the mp4 format, your other videos will not be downloaded.
Account
What are encode credits?
An encode credit is what you use to encode a video. To encode one video, it will cost one credit.
How do I get more encode credits?
You can add credits to your account by choosing Get Credits on the dashboard.
When do my credits expire?
Never! You use your credits whenever you want without any time limit.
Are there any additional fees?
Nope. Pay only for what you use, no start-up cost. Once you’ve paid for your credits, just enjoy.
Where can I set my default format?
Go to your account page in the “advanced” tab.
Hosting
For how long are my raw videos hosted?
12 hours. After you have encoded your video once, it will remain 1 hour.
How long do I have to download my encoded videos?
24 hours. After you have downloaded your video once, you have 6 hours left after that.
Why don’t you host videos much longer?
Because it is not our job, many video services can host your video for life. What we do is only video encoding.
Notification
What is a ping URL and how it works?
A ping URL is a web address which our servers will request when a task is done. The request uses the POST method. This is useful if you have a program running on you computer to monitor incoming traffic; you can have our servers ping you when an encode is done, and know about it seconds after it finishes.
