I have three websites using the Pixelo template. When I try to upload a four-second gif, mov, or mp4 video converted from aml (Morpheus), two websites give me a 'Sorry, you are not allowed to upload this file type' message, while one allows the upload and plays it with no problem. The video also plays in my email and on my computer with any of the three extensions. All the websites use the same webhost and have accepted original mov videos.
How can I get the two uncooperative websites to accept the converted video--and why is the cooperative website (which, unfortunately, isn't my primary one) accepting it?
Shawn Hesketh answered 3 years ago
Hi Paul,
That error sounds like the web servers on which two of your websites are hosted are not configured for hosting video. This is often the case with some cheaper, shared hosting servers. Those hosting companies often block video because it's just too demanding on a web server.
Is the one site that is allowing video uploads hosted by a different hosting company than the other two, by any chance? If so, the best solution will be to reach out to the web hosting company for the two problematic sites and ask them to allow video uploads for those two websites.
BUT... while we're on the topic, I should mention that it's rarely a good idea to host video files on your own site. You might want to read this article: 10 Reasons Why You Should Never Host Your Own Videos.
Hope this helps!
Thanks, Shawn. All my websites are hosted by a double-ultra-cheapo service. They're essentially an ego trip for an ultra-cheapo ego. But, after some fiddling, I discovered that the GIF extension uploads on all the sites as an image rather than a video. Evidently even though GIFs move, they're treated as animated images. The one is question is smaller than two megabytes. The MOV and MP4 videos are also very small but upload as videos.
I only just found your email today, by the way, 6 September, when I checked the junk in my Optimum.net account. It hadn't made it to my Thunderbird inbox, along with other non-junk, despite settings that are supposed to give me even junk. That's Optimum for you, now that Altice owns it. They're also in Texas, so if they're your ISP, I hope you have better luck. And that's why I have to check my Optimum junk every week. That's what monopolies are all about . . .
Shawn Hesketh
replied 3 years ago You’re right… GIFs are images, so even though they appear as animations, they’re still treated as images by WordPress and your web server. MOV and MP4 files, on the other hand, are video formats.
But it still sounds like you may be bumping up against the file size limits set by your web host. GIF files are small, but video files are usually larger, which is why most web hosts—especially inexpensive ones—limit the maximum file upload size.
Your best approach is to contact your web host’s support team and ask them to increase the maximum file upload size to something more reasonable.
Shawn Hesketh answered 3 years ago
The error message you're seeing, "Sorry, you are not allowed to upload this file type," only appears when you try to upload a file with an extension that WordPress does not allow by default.
By default, WordPress allows the following file types:
Images: .jpeg, .jpg, .png, .gif, .ico
Documents: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .ppsx, .odt, .xls, .xlsx, .psd
Audio: .mp3, .m4a, .ogg, .wav
Video: .mp4, .m4v, .mov, .wmv, .avi, .mpg, .ogv, .3gp, .3g2
If you attempt to upload a file with an extension that is not included above, you'll see the “Sorry, you are not allowed to upload this file type” error message.
But in your case, you said you're uploading a four-second .gif, .mov, or .mp4 file. All of those files types are supported by WordPress.
That's why I suspect that your web host has blocked certain file types from being uploaded to your server. He may have done so on a site-by-site basis, which is why you're only getting the error on two of your three websites.
Based on what you've described, it doesn't sound to me like a WordPress problem. It's a server configuration problem. Which is why I maintain that you can't fix this problem on your own. Only someone with access to your web server's configuration will be able to resolve this.
If the guy who's hosting your sites is unable or unwilling to help, then it may be time to find a new host. And if budget is your primary concern, I'd recommend you look at EasyWP.
EasyWP is free for your first month, and then just $4.88 per month after that. It's the best WordPress hosting available at that price.
I hope this helps point you in the right direction!