Knowledge Base/Feature Announcements
Direct MP3 Uploads to be Discontinued December 13th, 2011
Blip Support
posted this on November 17, 2011 12:19 pm
At Blip we're focused on being the best home for high quality, original, episodic, video web series. To that end, we have focused on making our upload process as easy and fool-proof as possible. For a number of years we've permitted the upload of non-video formats, but beginning December 13th, 2011 we will be turning off the ability to upload all audio-only formats, including MP3.
Pro accounts will still have the ability to create MP3 conversions from their source video files, but direct MP3 uploads will no longer be allowed. If you are uploading an audio only podcast, we strongly recommend using a more appropriate platform such as Libsyn or Podbean. By next week at the latest, we will begin offering an option in your Dashboard to re-direct your current feed to a new location. This will allow iTunes to move your subscribers over to your new feed and host automatically.
Thank you,
Blip
[UPDATE 11/29/2011] - We have created a tool in the Dashboard to help you redirect your MP3 RSS feed to your new podcast host: http://blip.tv/dashboard/mp3_redirect
Comments
thats such a shame.. :(
Yes, besides no info yet about how to migrate to another service =(
...any further information on this?
I do have a pro account and use the blip account to feed a audio broadcast to iTunes. I see that a MP3 file is created when i upload an mp4 video file but the video file is what is being broadcast in the itunes account and I want the audio and audio only. What can be done now as it is effecting my podcast now.
@Un Segundo Mas, @Tommy [UPDATE 11/29/2011] - We have finished the self-service tool to help you move over to a new podcast host: http://blip.tv/dashboard/mp3_redirect
@Ben - We send over the video file to your feed because blip.tv is a platform for video web series. Your podcast may be better served by a dedicated audio-only podcast host such as Libsyn or PodBean.
I looked into Libsyn and Podbean, thank you for presenting us with some options. I wondering though, my show is audio only at the moment and I would like to keep it on Blip if possible. If, for example, I were to create an intro video for the show, would that be enough to allow me to keep posting it here?
the biggest issue for me is that podbean and every other host I've looked at (and I've looked at loads) are all paid services.. the beauty of blip has always been the free unlimited bandwidth and host space... PLEASE reconsider allowing us to use your brilliant service for our audio podcasts!!!! =D
Hi Ryan. Unfortunately we're not an appropriate place for audio only files. Adding a video intro to a show that is otherwise just audio is not an exception to this.
Hi Djufo. Unfortunately the decision on this has already been made. We're simply not built with MP3 or audio hosting.
Hi Ryan/Djufo,
I've moved my audio-only podcasts to mevio.com. It's free....just have to send them a request to join.
Was recommended by close friends and fellow podcasters.
Tommy Unit
http://tommyunitlive.mevio.com/
Thank you for the clarification Blip and thank you Tommy for the suggestion. Much appreciated.
Out of curiosity, what was the reason behind this decision? Were audio only shows causing some sort of issue?
@Ryan- As mentioned in our original post above, our focus is to be the home for high quality, original, episodic, video web series. We've designed our site, our player, and our platform to move producers of video web series forward in their endeavors. We believe that to properly service audio-only podcasters would use time and resources that would be better spent supporting our show creators. We hope you understand, and thanks for asking.
Dear Blip.tv Support:
I used the self-service tool to provide my new RSS feed from the new host, on Wednesday 11/30, but have not yet seen the changeover happen. I can only imagine that the tool was putting in the
"<itunes:new-feed-url">tag into our feeds once we use the self-service tool, but I haven't seen any updates through iTunes. Is there anything that can be done to ping or force iTunes to reload the RSS script to recognize the "new feed" tag?Thanks!
Hi Blip TV,
I am also wondering if the RSS feed forwarding is working? I tried it last week and again last night and it did not seem to work. I used the self-service tool provided the day it was made available.
Thanks,
Tommy
@Pam, @Tommy - Our self-service tool only redirects your http://blip.tv/USERNAME/rss/mp3 feed. If you need your /itunes feed redirected, I have just sent you both tickets with information that I need you to confirm. You can click your tickets to check. Thanks!
Why was this moved up? I have email saying that uploads would be discontinued on Dec. 20th, meaning I should still be fine, today the 19th. But apparently not.
@Cameron - Our email newsletters announced December 13th as the date that MP3 uploads would be discontinued.
Does anyone have any more detailed instructions on redirecting the feed? I now have a Libsyn account, but can't find how to import existing feeds or a place to paste my old RSS url.
@Cameron - There is a difference between redirecting your feed and importing/exporting actual files. The tool linked above adds the <itunes:new-feed-url> tag into your Blip feed. If you need help importing files, you may want to check with Libsyn's support team: http://libsyn.com/3/contact/
If you need to manually download your source files, you will find links on each episode's page in the dashboard, at the bottom of the left side of the page.
Can I get my iTunes feed redirected as well?
@Cameron - Most definitely, just open a new ticket with the URL you'd like to redirect to.
Hi, i make the change in MP3 feed redirect and when i put the feed in iTUNES was: http://blip.tv/sgaleazzi/rss/itunes/ and the redirect is http://blip.tv/sgaleazzi/rss/mp3 is not the same, one finish with /itunes and the another /mp3. How can i make to put the new feed of feedburner in the blip feed http://blip.tv/sgaleazzi/rss/itunes/ and not in http://blip.tv/sgaleazzi/rss/mp3??. Thanks.
@Sebastian - If you need your /itunes feed redirected, please create a new ticket with the URL you'd like to redirect to. Thanks.
Two questions: 1. if i become a pro account user when i upload a video it makes it to a mp3... When it converts it to the mp3 can it be used for the current audio podcast???? 2. If the first question is a no then how long do we have to redirect our podcast???? thanks
Hi- I've tried the auto redirect with a new feed I'm using at soundcloud, but it looks like blip.tv isn't saving the changes in the "new-feed-url" tag. Is there any way to edit the feed manually, or is there some problem with the auto redirect? I'm assuming that using a feed from soundcloud shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for your help!
@Steven - Hi Steven, we're no longer supporting audio-only podcasts. You can begin redirecting your podcast now using the tool linked above.
@Actualidad - The feed redirect tool places the <itunes:new-feed-url> tag in your http://blip.tv/YOURSHOW/rss/mp3 feed. If you need your http://blip.tv/YOURSHOW/rss/itunes feed redirected, please submit a support ticket.