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How videos work on ZebraSnap
Selling videos works just like photos: you upload them, we process everything automatically, buyers see a short low-quality preview, and they get the full video after they buy.
In short
You can sell videos right next to your photos. You upload them the same way you upload a photo, and ZebraSnap takes care of the rest automatically:
- Buyers see a watermarked poster image and a short, silent, low-resolution preview - never the full video.
- They get the full, high-quality video only after they buy it.
- Large videos can take a little longer to show up, but you don't have to do anything - it happens on its own.
How you upload a video
Exactly like a photo. Drag it into the album from the web or the desktop app, pick it in the mobile app, or send it with SFTP - or include it in the same batch as your photos. The Lightroom plugin only publishes JPEG photos, so upload videos another way.
What we accept:
- MP4 files with H.264 video (and AAC audio, if the video has sound). We don't convert videos, so export them in this format before uploading.
- Up to 2 GB per video.
On an iPhone, record or export in Most Compatible format so the video is H.264.
There are no special settings to pick. A video just becomes one more item in the album, with its own price.
When does it appear in the album?
As soon as the upload finishes, we process the video in the background: we build the preview clip, the thumbnail, and everything buyers need to see it.
- Short clips usually appear within a minute or two.
- Big videos take longer - sometimes several minutes - because there's more to process.
This is automatic. You can close the page and come back later; the video shows up on its own when it's ready. While a video is still processing, you'll see it marked as such.
What buyers see
Buyers never get your original file for free. In the album they see:
- A poster image (a frame from the video) with your watermark.
- A preview clip of about 8 seconds, at 480p and without sound. For longer videos it's stitched from several short snippets taken across the whole video, so buyers can tell their moment is in there. Short videos get a single teaser that never shows the whole clip.
It's enough to decide to buy, but not enough to use without paying. When they purchase, they download the full-length, full-quality video.
Face and bib recognition on videos
Searching by selfie (face recognition) and by bib number works on photos for everyone.
On videos, that automatic recognition only runs on Pro and Enterprise accounts, with a monthly allowance of video minutes:
- Pro: 60 minutes of video per month.
- Enterprise: 120 minutes of video per month.
On the Free and Lite plans, your videos are still sold and previewed normally - they just won't be searchable by face or bib number. If a Pro account goes over its monthly minutes, the extra videos still upload and sell, and become searchable when the minutes reset or after upgrading to Enterprise. Plans are compared in Plans and limits.
How videos are priced
Each album can have its own video price. If you don't set one, videos use the same price as your photos. You can change it anytime from the album with Adjust price > Video price.
Still have questions? Contact us and we'll help.
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