This tutorial will show you how to convert a video file to HTML5 compatible MP4 format.

MP4 format is supported by Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, Microsoft Edge, iPhone, iPad, Android and Flash. In this tutorial, we use the freeware Handbrake http://handbrake.fr/ to convert the video to HTML5 compatible MP4 videos.

You can use the WordPress plugin Wonder Gallery to play the video or create a video gallery in WordPress or the plugin Wonder Lightbox to play the video in a lightbox popup.

Step 1 - Download Handbrake

Handbrake http://handbrake.fr/ is an open source, GPL-licensed application for encoding MP4 video. It works on Windows, Linux and Mac. It has a graphic interface which is straightforward and easy to use.

Step 2 - Convert the video to MP4 format with Handbrake

In the main dialog of Handbrake, click the Open Source button and select a video file.

click to enlarge the image

On the top right of the dialog, click the button Presets. In the Presets menu, you can select the option Web -> Vimeo YouTube HQ 1080p60, Vimeo YouTube HQ 720p60 or Vimeo YouTube 720p30 or other options that suit your needs.

If you change the default options, make sure you check the option Web Optimized. The option is also known as "Fast start" or "Progressive downloading". It places the video header at the start of the file and allows your video to start playing while it's still downloading.

If the video playback is choppy when you select the preset Vimeo YouTube HQ 1080p60, you can also try the preset General> -> Fast 1080p30. Make sure you check the option Web Optimized after you select this preset.

At the bottom of the dialog, select a folder to save the converted video file.

Click Start and wait for the encoding complete.

After you purchase the commercial version, your membership account will be automatically created and your login information will be sent to your email address in minutes. After you receive the login details, please log in the Membership Area and download the commercial version.

Before following the tutorial, we highly recommend that you make a backup of your WordPress website.

There are two methods to upgrade to the latest commercial version without losing your existing work.

First Method:

There are 4 steps in this method.

Step 1 - Make sure the keep data option is enabled

In your WordPress backend, goto the left menu Plugin Name (e.g., Wonder Carousel, Wonder Slider, etc) -> Settings, make sure there is an option Keep data when deleting the plugin and the option is checked. The option is checked by default.

If your current version is very old, it may not have this option. In this case, do not use this method, use the following second method instead.

Step 2 - Deactivate and delete the old version

In the WordPress backend, goto the left menu Plugins -> Installed Plugins, deactivate the plugin and delete it. When deleting the plugin, ignore the warning "Are you sure you wish to delete these files and data" and click the button "Yes, Delete these files and data". This is a standard warning from WordPress.

Step 3 - Install and activate the new version

In the WordPress backend, goto the left menu Plugins -> Add New, click Upload Plugin, select the downloaded commercial version plugin zip file, install and activate it.

Step 4 - Clear WordPress Caches

• If you have installed a WordPress js/css minify plugin or WordPress cache plugin for example, Autoptimize, W3 Total Cache, WP Rocket, WP Fastest Cache, WP Super Cache, empty all caches from the plugin.
• Some web hosts, for example, GoDaddy, WPEngine, SiteGround, DreamHost, will also cache web files. You need to clear caches of the web hosting before testing. Please contact your web hosting provider and ask about how to clear caches.
• Clear caches of your web browser before testing

Second Method:

If you are using a very old version, you may need to use this method to upgrade the plugin. There are 3 steps in this method.

Step 1: Install the commercial version plugin via FTP

First please extract the commercial version plugin ZIP file to a folder on your computer, then upload the extracted Plugin folder to the wp-content/plugins folder in your WordPress FTP server.

When a ZIP file is extracted, some unzip software may add a parent folder outside of the Plugin folder. Please make sure you have uploaded the Plugin folder, not its parent folder.

If your WordPress already has an old version installed, make sure to overwrite the existing folder in the server. Or you can delete the old version files first then upload the new version files.

Step 2: Make sure the new version plugin is activated

In your WordPress backend, left menu, Plugins -> Installed Plugins, find the plugin from the list, make sure the plugin is activated. If it's not, click the Activate link.

Step 3 - Clear WordPress Caches

• If you have installed a WordPress js/css minify plugin or WordPress cache plugin for example, Autoptimize, W3 Total Cache, WP Rocket, WP Fastest Cache, WP Super Cache, empty all caches from the plugin.
• Some web hosts, for example, GoDaddy, WPEngine, SiteGround, DreamHost, will also cache web files. You need to clear caches of the web hosting before testing. Please contact your web hosting provider and ask about how to clear caches.
• Clear caches of your web browser before testing