Following recommended file naming rules

To ensure that your video will play across the widest possible range of browsers and device, here are our recommended naming rules:

Rule 1 - Do not use any exotic characters in your file name/folder name

There are some characters that are not web-safe such as & and % - your browser or device will try to interpret them strangely when they are part of a static media URL

These include <>?()*&^%$#@!{}|\][:";'~`/.,

For example, a dot might make the browser think that your file extension is about to begin, such as .mp4 - so will try reading your file type too early

Or a forward slash will mean a subfolder

Instead stick to letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), dashes (-) and underscores (_)

Rule #2 - Don't end your file name/folder name with a dash or underscore

i.e. myfile_.mp4

should be my_file.mp4

Rule #3 - Stick to lowercase letters

A-Z can sometimes be mis-read by browsers

i.e. MyFile.mp4

should be myfile.mp4

Rule #4 - Don't start your file name/folder name with a dash or underscore

i.e. _myfile.mp4

should be my_file.mp4

Rule #5 - Stick to less than 63 characters

Yes, you want to add as much info to the video title as possible so you can figure out which epsiode/encoding/version of the video you have - but using sub-folders can be a much better way to do this, as then you don't have too many video in one folder, making it harder to find the one you want

i.e. this-is-the-very-first-video-in-my-series-with-speaker-joe-bloggs-and-is-in-16-9-resolution-on-may-23rd-2013.mp4

should be my-storage-account/my-main-folder/series-sub-folder/video1_joe_bloggs_16-9.mp4

Summary of best practice:

1 - Use only lowercase letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), dashes (-) and underscores (_)
2 - End and start your file name with letters (a-z) or numbers (0-9)
3 - Keep it to less than 63 characters