As many of you know, we've been having a problem with the contest uploader and getting the videos to work. Last night, SteveK, cracked the nut and was the first to get his video to work, followed by four more. This was how SteveK got his video to work. I hope it helps. Please use this thread to watch for updates on where we're at with the fixes, and to discuss issues you're having getting entries to work.

Using Vegas Pro Format: MAGIX AVC/AAC MP4 Template: Internet HD 720p 25fps "Use this template to create an MP4(AVC/AAC) for progressive Internet downloads. Audio:192 Kbps, 48,000 Hz, 16 Bit, Stereo, AAC Video: 25fps, 1280x720 Progressive, YUV, 8 Mbps, Pixel Aspect Ratio 1.000" In retrospect, I should have used "Custom Settings" to lower the variable bit rate. The default is not two pass, and: Maximum: 16,000.000 Average: 8,000,000 After I uploaded, I tried rendering at half those rates and the file size went from 65MB to 33MB, then halved the rates again and the file went to 17MB. I didn't see much difference in quality, and I'm sure the streaming would be faster - I had trouble last time with interrupted streaming using the default rates. Could be my antique DSL Internet service ...

Update: The video uploader seems to be working, but we're still have issues getting animated gifs to work.

Can you try streaming my entry to see if it runs smoothly? If not, I would like to delete it and re-enter with a more compressed file. I realize there's a risk ...

Update: dang it, it's 10 am, the contest just flipped into voting. I'll try to get us an extension.

Thank you Wolfenshire

Is there any way mine can be uploaded i just got site mail and i see they are in voting already?

@dollmommy I'm trying to get an extension for us because we had so many problems getting everyone uploaded.

Thanks for all the effort, Wolfenshire. Don't worry about my entry if you're too busy, hopefully it will stream OK for folks with fast Internet.

I just got approval to extend, I'm just hammering out how long.

Okay, everyone. I got us three days extension. Give me a minute while I reset the contest module.

Thankyou so much!!!!

The timer has been reset. We have a 3 day extension to get everyone uploaded. So... whatcha waiting for... upload stuff. :P

@steve How about we do this. Multiple entries are permitted, so, how about we leave what we know is working alone, hence leave you current entry there. Then upload it again the way you want, and if it works, then I'll delete your first entry so you don't have a duplicate.

@poisonivy The uploader has been working. If you've found this thread, please go ahead and re-upload your entry.

OK, I'll re-enter - same video, smaller file.

@steve It didn't work, the video file is missing.

edit: never mind, it was being slow to upload. Okay take a look at it and decide which one to delete.

Okay, thanks. The second one is much better, a few pauses while streaming but keeps ahead of the playback ... barely, mostly ... So the first one can be deleted.

Hi Wolf, I have now an MP4 for my animation, but I can't upload it, because this message appears: File / Video - You will be able to add other files after you save this entry. There is nothing where I can upload the video!!!!!

PS. ROFFL - I prefer to go to Honolulu! ?

@utebigsmile

Okay, what you do is: On the first screen you upload your main cover page and the thumb. Then you save and it takes you to a second page. On that page you push the button that says VIDEO. Then you upload your mp4 file there, hopefully you made sure your video is h.264 encoded so it will work on Renderosity. And poof, it will work.

If you don't know if you made your mp4 h.264 encoded, you can get a free h.264 encoder at http://www.h264encoder.com/

The download link is towards the bottom of that page. The program is very easy to use and self-explanatory. Run your mp4 file through the encoder, then upload the encoded mp4 file to Renderosity using the instructions above.

It's easier than it sounds. You'll be okay.

P.S. and FYI

I've been assigned as the Animation Contest Manager for a year now, and I'm scheduled to continue at least through 2022. However, I wasn't one of the Animation Forum Mods. And I'll be honest. I'm not an animator. I've never animated anything in my life. I'm a writer - and the Writers Mod. So don't ask me about (insert animation jargon here). But I do know Renderosity and how everything works behind the scenes, and that's all I really need to manage a contest. So, how did I become the Animation Contest Manager. Well, the old one left and the other Mods ran away faster than me when they were looking for a new Animation Contest Manager. Yep, true story.

So, we really need to clean up the confusion that happens at each Animation Contest. I've asked to be added to this Forum as one of the Mods. Dee is still the main moderator, but I'll be here for the contest business. I'll be monitoring the forum and we can hammer out details, issues, problems, and concerns about the Animation Contests in advance. And, of course, hammer out problems during the contests a whole lot better. So, yeppers, there it is. You tell me the issue, and I'll beat on Admin until we get it solved. I know the uploader is a problem, and animated gifs too; those are already being worked on. But anything else, like getting a swimming pool, or maybe a Tikki Bar, installed in here, or whatever, just let me know. I'll also keep you up to date on all things Animation Contest.

I promise you, the Animation Contests will get fixed. It was a heck of a learning curve learning this animation stuff. But I know what needs to happen now. (You know, Writers Contests are so much easier).

Wolf, the animated writer. Ha, animated writer, I crack myself up. :)

Thank's I made the mp4 with: https://convertio.co/de/gif-mp4/, but gonna try the link which you send me right now. ? Will upload my video tomorrow morning, have a nice evening, Ute

Wolf - Sounds like you're on a mission. From my standpoint, the contest worked fine, I just filled out the entry forms and everything got uploaded. The only problem was self-inflicted, I forgot to compress the file down more than the defaults in Vegas Pro - I should have learned my lesson last time with the stuttering streaming. But then you let me correct that, so its all good. I don't understand why my entry worked this time when others didn't, assuming they were uploading MP4's. I do recall a year or two back that my MP4 did not upload correctly, even though you could play it fine. But you eventually worked that one out also, I think by downloading it and re-uploading it, or something.

One thing seems to be true, a minute of animation (1280x720, 24 fps) needs to be an MP4 file under 20MB I think, based on my streaming experience with a so-so DSL line. In Vegas Pro, I got this by adjusting the Variable Bit Rate to 4,000,000 max and 2,000,000 average. The defaults are 16,000,000 and 8,000,000, which gave me an MP4 file size of about 65MB, which stuttered a lot when streaming.

Also, if possible you might want to delete the upload choice "File or Video", since it has to be video for the animation contest.

Since the gifs won't work, what if you were to make it into a video instead using something like this: https://ezgif.com/gif-to-mp4

and then h.264 encode it and upload it as an mp4

Here's what I've discovered so far. If you are having trouble uploading your video, it's probably not h.264 encoded. I've experimented with it and every single time I try to upload a file that is not h.264 encoded, it won't upload. When I run it through the free encoder, it uploads right away.

Here is a free h.264 encoder. It takes about 5 seconds to run your video through it before uploading. http://www.h264encoder.com/

here the trouble starts - i try to submit (because there is no next or save button) and then comes this:Diese Seite funktioniert nicht www.renderosity.com kann diese Anfrage momentan nicht verarbeiten. HTTP ERROR 500 / meaning Renderosity cannot proceed this page at this time.What a PITA this is. i don't even reach the video upload page!

Todays update: I can't get any of the animated gifs to work. I did get another video to upload, that person should have got the approved notice already. I have one left and it's giving me trouble. I think there's going to be three people that won't get to enter because I can't get their entry to work. I've been given approval to extend the animation contest again if needed, and I will if it looks like there's some hope of fixing the last of the entries.

Just got another update: The uploader is shut down right now, they are working on it. Don't try to upload anything.

Update: If you're reading this thread. Send your source animated gif to me at wolfenshire@renderosity.com

They are going to try something. Ute, they are experimenting with your animated gif right now to see if it will work.

Hello dear Wolf, I just came back from the hospital and read the message from Rendero, I don't even know how to thank you two for this great help, thank you again, thank you, big hug's for both of you, Ute ?

Update: I spent seven hours yesterday evening and last night until almost midnight with the developer to fix as many of the entries as we could. We couldn't get them all to work, and still have one pending that we might get to work. I'll know tomorrow morning. A great big thank you to the developer for his tremendous effort. The uploader is still broken, but the developer manually walked each entry through the servers to get them to the proper place. I know this has been a trying experience for everyone, and I want to thank everyone for your patience getting through this. I have a much better idea now why and how this mess occurred, and it will get fixed. I will keep you updated as we move through the process of fixing it. We will not go through this again. I'm going to tell you this next part just to give you a grin, you deserve it. The reason we finally got some real personal attention to our plight was - We tried so many times to submit our entries that we uploaded over 300 files to Rendo's back-end in just a few hours, and that raised some eyebrows and they sent the cavalry in to help us. Of course my response was, 'What? Me shouting at the top of my lungs wasn't enough?' You all are awesome, you almost melted Rendo down. Keep making great art. The talent here is off the charts!

One more time a lot of giant THANKS to all who have made this possible - You all deserve a medal for exceptional services! ?️? Guy's you are simply great! ?

Update: The contest is now in voting.

Thank's Wolf, would be difficult to make a choice, there are such fantastic works in every category to see! ? I wish good Luck to all the participants! ?

Thanks everyone. This issue is completed. I'm locking the thread to maintain the record of events as is for future reference.