How to embed a .wmv file in WordPress
A client recently asked us how they could embed .wmv files in their WordPress site so that it plays in a video player. Interestingly, we’re so used to working with video websites like YouTube and Vimeo which allow easy embedding by just pasting the URL into the editor that we’d never had to deal with this issue before. But after some trial by our awesome CEO Miriam Schwab and, well, really not much error, we quickly figured it out. So, without further ado, here is the way to embed .wmv files into WordPress posts and pages:
1. Install, activate and configure the TinyMCE Advanced plugin. This plugin allows you to add useful buttons to the WYSIWYG through a drag and drop settings page.
2. In the settings (Settings >TinyMCE Advanced), drag the “Insert Movie” button into the WYSIWYG:
3. Save changes.
4. Upload the video file of your choice to your WordPress site through Media > Add New.
5. Copy the URL of that video:
6. Open up the editor of the post/page where you’d like to embed the video (if you aren’t there already).
7. Click on the button which says “Insert/edit embedded media” when you hover over it:
5. Under “Type,” choose “Windows Media.”
6. Paste the URL in File/URL field.
7. Click “Insert.”
8. Save Draft or Publish.
9. Verify that it worked in the front end.
Note that the user’s browser has to have the Windows Media Player plug-in, and it needs to run to play the video in a player.
Category: Tips
I can’t believe your timing! I was just wondering how to insert a video element into my website that I can add videos to each day. I thought using You Tube would be too much – I had hoped to just record using my iMac and upload.
But now I understand – that it also depends on what the party viewing the site has. So THAT’S the reason for using an outside service. DUH!
Thank you!
I’m so glad it was helpful!
There are a few other reasons to use outside services Anne: 1. It saves you on bandwidth – your server doesn’t have to handle the bandwidth of serving the video to viewers; 2. You get the social aspect of having your video on a site like YouTube. Did you know that YouTube is the second largest search engine? So it’s good to be there and hopefully get found!
The disadvantages of depending on an outside service is that you’re depending on another entity to take care of your information. At the end of the day, Google is a business, so who knows what will be down the line, you know?
For purposes of frequent uploading of videos (as opposed to blog pieces) is You Tube or Vimeo the best way to go?
How long are your videos?
Anne, why not use both? Once you’ve spent the time creating a video, might as well help it get found in as many places as possible.
Haven’t made them yet. I was thinking that it might be a nice change (and a relief) from blog writing – to maybe once a week add a very short video of me talking. Do people do that?
Thank you again for your helpful answer. You solved it!