Using HREF tracks

An HREF track is used to embed URLs on an additional Text track in a QuickTime movie. A Web browser jumps to a URL destination on the Web--either automatically or when a viewer clicks the movie display area. The track you add creates a segment of specified length during which the URL appears in the movie.

This feature can also be used in a page with HTML frames, where the movie plays back in one frame and a second frame is used to display the alternative URLs addressed during movie playback. Using frames allows the movie to play back continuously, while the content of the second frame is being swapped. Content swapping can be achieved either interactively by a mouse click or automatically by setting the appropriate option for the movie. You can use only one HREF track per movie.

To insert an HREF track:

1 With a movie open in the Movie Viewer window, click the Show TimeLine Window button ().

2 Drag the HREF Track icon from the QuickTime tab () of the Objects palette onto the track list area of the TimeLine Window. This inserts a new empty track named HREF Track. You'll notice that the HREF track is hidden by default. This is so the URL won't be displayed in your movie. If you want to display the URL, click the eye icon to show the HREF track. You'll see the HREF track (the URL) in the Movie Viewer window.

3 Set the HREF track properties as necessary. You can't rename an HREF track. For information on track properties, see Setting the properties of a video or other visible track.

4 Click the small triangle control next to the HREF track name in the TimeLine Window to expand the HREF track. You'll see the Sample track displayed.

5 With the Create Sample tool, add the sample content bar to the track content area.

6 Make sure the Sample track is selected, and then in the HREF Track Inspector, enter a URL in the Link field, or click Browse and navigate to a page, or click the Point-and-Shoot button and drag to a file or URL in the site window.

Note: You'll notice that the HREF track is hidden by default. This is so the URL won't be displayed in your movie. If you want to display the URL, click the eye icon to show the HREF track. You'll see the HREF track (the URL) in the Movie Viewer window.

7 In the Target pop-up, choose the location where the URL should be displayed.

8 If you check the Autoload checkbox, when the movie plays, it will automatically jump to the specified URL. If you leave this checkbox unchecked, the visitor to the Web page must click the QuickTime movie to jump to the specified URL.

Editing QuickTime Movies > Using HREF tracks