Introduction
Videolinq’s playout service allows users to upload video files of any size to create and schedule playlists that run at specific times as part of an active channel. These channels can generate live streams delivered to multiple destinations or viewed through the Videolinq player or third-party players.
Video files up to 4 GB in size can be uploaded directly through the Media Dashboard under the Source > Media Management section. For files larger than 4 GB, a combined upload process using both the web interface and an FTP client is required to bypass the web browser's size limitations.
Uploading Files > 4 GB
For MP4 files under 4 GB:
Go to Source > Media Management in the Media Dashboard.
Use the Upload option to select and upload your file.
Once uploaded, the media becomes available for scheduling or live playout.
Uploading Files < 4 GB
To upload MP4 files 4 GB or larger:
Prepare the Master File
Ensure your MP4 is formatted according to Videolinq’s media specifications.Create a Placeholder File
Create a small (~1 MB) MP4 file with the same filename as your large master file.
This placeholder will be used to establish the database entry.
Upload the Placeholder File
Navigate to Source > Media Management in the Media Dashboard.
Use the Upload function to upload the small MP4 file.
Confirm that the file appears in your media library.
Upload the Full-Size File via FTP
Use an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) with the credentials provided by Videolinq.
Log in and navigate to your media directory.
Upload the full-resolution MP4 file using the exact same filename as the placeholder.
DO NOT UPLOAD VIA FTP FILES THAT WILL NOT MATCH IN THIER NAME PLACEHOLDER FILES UPLOADED IN STEP 2.
How This Works
When you upload a media file via the dashboard, it creates a database record used later for scheduling and live streaming. Uploading the small file first allows you to establish this record.
Once the full-size file is uploaded via FTP using the same name, it overwrites the placeholder file, without affecting the database entry. This ensures your scheduling and playback configurations remain intact while replacing the low-quality placeholder with the actual high-quality content.
Important
When logging into your Videolinq file storage account via FTP, do not modify or delete any files directly within the FTP directory.
Use the FTP client only to locate the placeholder file and copy its exact filename. This ensures your master file is properly renamed and will correctly overwrite the original during upload.
If you need to delete media files, always do so through the Media Dashboard under the Media Management section.
Deleting files via the dashboard ensures they are also removed from the database and avoids breaking links with playlists or scheduled events.