Adding sound and video (Web Publishing mode only)

PagePlus lets you augment your web pages with sound and video files in a variety of standard formats, including both non-streaming and streaming media.

(Non-streaming files must download in entirety to a user’s computer before they begin playing; streaming files require a special player that buffers incoming data and can start playing before the whole clip has arrived.)

There are actually two sound playback options—background sound, where a sound loads and plays automatically when a specific page is first displayed in the visitor’s web browser, and linked sound, triggered by a mouse click (for example on an icon or hyperlinked object).

Linked video works like linked sound.

With both background and linked sound (or video), you have the option of embedding the source file in your publication, as opposed to keeping it separate. Although embedding any file adds to the size of the publication, it is the default option because you’ll no longer have to worry about juggling separate files or the chance of accidentally deleting one of them. When you publish your site, PagePlus takes care of exporting and copying both embedded and non-embedded files.

You won’t be able to play back or edit sound or video files in PagePlus; you’ll need to use an external media editor such as Serif MoviePlus. Both types of files tend to take up a lot of space, more or less depending on the method of compression you’ve used. The large file size translates to long download times for non-streaming files. Media files also tend to be platform-specific: for example, there are different Windows, Mac, and Unix sound file formats. For these reasons, except for very short audio clips, one rarely encounters non-streaming media on the web. However, if a fast connection is guaranteed, you can get away with using longer/larger non-streaming files.

To add background sound to a page:

  1. Choose Web Site Properties… from the File menu and select the Background tab.

  2. Check Use sound file, then browse to the sound file you want to add.

  3. If you do not wish to embed the file in your publication, uncheck Embed sound files in site.
    Note:     If you choose not to embed your source files, we suggest you keep them together in a subfolder named “Media” or the like. When you publish your site, PagePlus exports and copies both embedded and non-embedded files into a common folder.

  4. To have the sound play back as a continuous loop, check Loop sound. Otherwise, it will play just once.

The sound file will download and play back when the web page displays in a browser.

With both linked sound and linked video, the basic question is how you want the visitor to be able to trigger the playback of a given media file. PagePlus offers the same basic options for both kinds of media:

1. From a hyperlinked object or hotspot: You start with an existing object in the publication, and hyperlink it to the media file, or use a hotspot over an image.

2. From an icon: PagePlus provides an icon pre-linked to the media file. You then position the icon on your page.

3. From a picture: You select an external picture file, which PagePlus then imports and links to the media file.

4. Inline: A media “player” will be visible on your published web page (rather than appearing after the user clicks a link, icon, or picture). In PagePlus, you’ll see a marker on the page where the player will appear.

With option 1, the media file remains external and can’t be embedded in your publication. Options 2 to 4 give you the choice of embedding the media file.

To add linked sound or video to a page:

  • To link from an object or hotspot (option 1 above), choose Hyperlink… from the Insert menu and select A file on your hard disk as the link target, then locate the media file. For details, follow the links given in option 1.
    – or -

  1. To link from an icon, picture, or inline player (options 2 to 4), choose Web Object… from the Insert menu and select either Sound… or Video… from the submenu.

  2. Browse to locate the media file name.

  3. Select a link display option.

  4. If you do not wish to embed the file in your publication, uncheck Embed sound files in site.

  5. Click OK to close the dialog, then click (or click and drag) with the cursor to place the icon, picture, or marker on your page.

Adding sound and video