There's no "processing" state for video on Partyreel: a video is in the album the moment it uploads, as the original file. That's why it plays instantly on most phones, and why occasionally a particular file won't play in a particular browser.
First, tap it
Videos never autoplay. In the gallery a video shows a still with a play badge; open it and tap the play control. If you see a black frame with controls, it's loaded and waiting for the tap.
It's the format
Because nothing is converted, the video plays only if the browser can decode it. The common case: iPhones record by default in a format called HEVC (H.265), saved as a MOV file. Safari on any Apple device plays it; Chrome and Firefox on Windows, Android, and older Macs often can't, and show a stuck or black player. The same video works fine when downloaded and opened in a video app, so:
- Viewers: tap Save in the photo viewer and open the file in your phone's video app, or in a player like VLC on a computer.
- Uploaders: the iPhone's camera settings offer "Most Compatible", which records H.264 and plays everywhere. It's a good default for anything you'll share.
Hosts downloading the album get the original files, which open in any video app regardless of the browser. The accepted formats are in what you can upload.
It's the connection
A video streams as it plays, so a weak connection stutters rather than fails. Wait a moment, or download it.
There's no video at all
Some events accept photos only, and a video you tried to add would have been refused with a message saying so. If a guest says they uploaded a video and it's missing, that's usually why; otherwise see a photo is missing from the album.
In the reel
The highlight reel shows a video as a still frame rather than playing it, on every plan. See the highlight reel.