I was researching some alternatives to hosting my videos that didn’t make them public, or private for that matter. I needed something that would allow me to upload a video to it and then gave me an embed code to insert into my sites but without the public access to it.
In addition, I am not a big fan of the crappy resolution that YouTube renders (unless you go HD). For some stuff, I guess it’s ok, but sometimes I just need a better quality rendition. Also, what’s the deal with all the Google Adwords on videos? UGH!
So, I came across a website that utilizes Amazon as the host (yes THAT Amazon) to provide exactly what I need, an embed code at best resolution possible of my videos, with even choices of video player (the wrap around the video), and without all the public channel access.
I guess if you are publishing courses or videos that you don’t necessarily want the whole world to have access to, then this is an alternative. It is a bit of a process to set up, although not too big a deal. I recommend you start with the video player site set up (called EZS3) and they will instruct you to also get an Amazon hosting account.
Now, yes, it costs money. Of course. That seems to always be the case for better stuff for some reason… but it’s minimal from what I can gather. The hosting through Amazon Hosting is a pay per use so you only pay for the bandwidth. There is a sample that about 10,000 views of a regular size video would end up being around $5. If you got that kind of traffic to your videos that is what you’d pay
. In other words, it is affordable. And for the most part most videos would probably need to go to YouTube for SEO. This option is not for SEO but rather for private offers and to embed videos on your site at best resolution.
Now, the video player subscription (EZS3) is a separate site and that has a flat monthly of $20/mo with a $1 trial. Anyway, I thought I would share this info since I do get people asking me how to host a video for a giveaway promotion without putting it on YouTube. So, here is ONE way… I am sure there are other ways and by all means, feel free to post up your recommendations via the comments to this post. I only ask that you only post up recommendations to services that YOU USE YOURSELF, not just some affiliate link for the sake of the affiliate commission.
Here is a link to EZS3 video player if you wish to take it for a spin.












great stuff!
Great information here. Always good to learn new things. Thank you.
Hi Aymee
This is great information. This is going to be really handy when you want to send videos only to your subscribers, or your e-courses.
Thanks for sharing
Damayanthi
This will definitely be information that people can use when they are wanting video hosting for something other than SEO purposes. Thank you for the information.
~ Linda Dougherty ~
Your post reminded me to rely less on what I already know and do research to keep up with the ever changing industry we are in. Great reminder. Thanks Aymee
Yes, the EZS3 works great for hosting. There are some really cool things you can do with it.
I’m using it on my site [admin edit]
You can specify for a video to only play on a specific URL. So, if you don’t want others to display your videos on their site, you can prevent that.
YOu can buy the overlay and under lay features that replace the video content with HTML, buy now buttons, opt in forms and automatic redirects. Very cool for you sales funnel.
Now, they have HTML5 players so that your videos can be seen on iPhones and iPads.
My question, do you know how to embed EZS3 on facebook pages?
Nita
EZ3 uses Amazon web server to host the videos. You can actually go directly to your videos through your Amazon S3 account and find them in there. Click the video, select properties and it will give you a link for you to share that video with people. I believe that this link will work on facebook. Give it a shot and let me know! (You will have to click the video and make it public first, if it isnt already). Best of luck!
Aymee
Hi Aimee,
I’m also looking at EZS3 to host our videos, but besides the ability to embed, does it give your video a URL so you can email this URL to people so they can watch the video direct from EZS3?
Thanks.
Ed
Hi Ed
Good one. Well, as a member of EZ3, that platform asked you to also have an Amazon Services S3 membership. That is where your videos are actually hosted at. You can access Amazon Services S3 directly and you will see your videos in there. Clicking on each video, then selecting “properties” will give you a link you can use to send people to it directly. It will not have EZ3 fancy wrap, however, the default player is professional. Let me know if that works for ya.
Aymee
Great find! Certainly a viable and affordable alternative to YouTube.
Thanks for sharing, Aymee.