Quick answer: Yes, a QR code can be used to link to and play a video. By scanning a QR code, a user can be directed to a website or app that immediately begins playing a video. This provides a convenient way to share and view videos by simply scanning a code.
How do QR code videos work?
A QR code is a type of barcode that can be scanned by a smartphone camera and interpreted by a QR code reader app. The black and white pixel pattern of the QR code encodes a string of text or a URL link.
To create a video QR code, a unique URL link leading to a video page or file is generated. When this QR code is scanned, the URL link is extracted by the QR code reader app and the user’s phone will open the link.
If the link is to a web page containing an embedded video player, the page will load and immediately begin playing the video. The video does not need to be downloaded, rather it streams directly within the web page opened from the QR code.
QR codes can also contain links to video files hosted online. Once scanned, the video file will begin downloading and then open in the default video player app on the user’s device. This allows the QR code to essentially embed and deliver a video file to the user.
Benefits of QR code videos
There are several key benefits to using QR codes for videos:
- Convenience – Users can simply scan a code to immediately view a video, without needing to type in a long URL or search for the video.
- Speed – QR codes deliver videos rapidly by opening them instantly from a scan.
- Tracking – Using a unique QR code for each video allows tracking of how many times a video is accessed.
- Offers – QR codes allow videos to be embedded in printed materials like magazines, flyers, product packaging etc. to bridge the digital and physical worlds.
QR code video sizes and lengths
When encoding videos into QR codes, there are limitations on the file size and length:
- Standard QR code capacity is up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters. This allows embedding short length, low resolution videos.
- QR codes on product packaging or flyers would likely link to a website to play a full length HD video, rather than try to encode the video directly.
- Dynamic QR codes do not have size restrictions. They use advanced compression and streaming to deliver large HD video files, but require a backend infrastructure.
As a rule of thumb, smaller QR code sizes can hold up to a 10 second 720p video, or a 5 second 1080p HD video file when encoded directly into the QR code.
How to create a QR code for video
There are two main methods to create a QR code to share and watch videos:
1. Website URL QR code
With this method, the QR code contains a URL to a website page with an embedded video player. When scanned, the page opens immediately playing the video.
To generate this type of QR code:
- Upload your video to a website or online video platform that supports video embedding, like YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
- Copy the URL to the page containing your video.
- Use a free QR code generator site and paste your video URL when creating the QR code.
- Download your QR code image file to share anywhere.
2. Direct video file QR code
This QR code method directly encodes the video file into the QR code. Scanning downloads and plays the video instantly.
To make this type of video QR code:
- Upload your video file to an online location that allows public access and linking.
- Use a QR code generator that supports encoding large amounts of data, like dynamic QR codes.
- Enter the direct URL to your video file when creating the QR code.
- Download the QR code image containing the video file data to share or use.
Scanning and reading video QR codes
To scan and view QR code videos:
- Open a QR code scanning app on your smartphone, like your camera app’s QR scanner.
- Point your phone’s camera at the QR code to scan it.
- Once scanned, your phone will open the URL link or video file encoded in the QR code.
- If the QR code links to a web page, the embedded video will immediately start playing.
- For a direct video file, the download will begin, then open and play in your default video app.
If you don’t have a scanner app, there are many free QR readers to download from app stores. The process is quick and easy – simply open the app, scan the code, and watch the video.
Video QR code use cases
Here are some examples of how QR code videos are commonly used:
Product demonstrations
Brands and manufacturers can link to product demo videos from QR codes on packaging or manuals so users can easily view how-to content.
Education and training
Schools and companies can embed video tutorials and lessons into QR codes on worksheets and course materials for interactive mobile learning.
Marketing and advertising
QR codes in magazines, billboards, flyers etc can directly deliver promotional and social media videos when scanned by potential customers.
Entertainment
Event organizers and venues can provide programs containing QR codes to trailers and sneak peeks of upcoming attractions and performances.
Business cards
Professionals can include a QR code on their business cards that shows a introductory video when scanned.
Tips for creating effective video QR codes
Follow these tips when generating QR codes for videos to ensure optimal user experience:
- Keep the landing page simple with just the video player – don’t link to overly complicated or cluttered pages.
- Test that the QR code successfully scans and opens the video on different mobile devices before finalizing.
- Use a QR code size and resolution sufficient for clear scanning. Typically 100 x 100 pixel resolution or higher.
- Place QR codes on materials with high visibility and indicate clearly to “scan here for video” so users know what to do.
- Use a QR code shortener to compress long video URLs into smaller links that require less data to encode.
- For large direct video files, utilize dynamic QR codes capable of encoding large amounts of data.
Conclusion
QR codes provide a fast, convenient way to deliver video content by allowing users to simply scan a code. The QR code can either contain a direct link to a video page or the video file itself. While size limits apply, QR codes unlock opportunities to integrate engaging video seamlessly across print and digital touchpoints. Following best practices around QR code generation, sizing, placement and testing will ensure optimal scan rates and user experience.