Wp-calypso: Audio and Video Blocks: Poor Error Messaging For Free Sites

[thehenrybyrd]

It's not possible to upload media on a free WordPress.com site. You need a paid plan.
However, our error messaging in the audio or video block does not convey this, instead saying audio/video files can't be uploaded "for security reasons".

Steps to reproduce

1. On a free (no plan) WordPress.com site, create a new post.
2. Add the audio or video block.
3. Upload an audio or video file with an accepted filetype ( .mp3, .m4a, .ogg, .wav, .mp4, .mov)
4. See the error message "Sorry, this file type is not permitted for security reasons."

What I expected

I expected that, on a free plan, I would see a message indicating that I can upload the files to my site if I have a paid plan.
Even better, it could explain that it's possible to embed hosted audio files, and link to https://en.support.wordpress.com/audio/#embed-audio-from-a-link

What happened instead

Instead, the error message seems like a real error - it sounds as though we don't support common filetypes.

Browser / OS version

Chrome 74.0.37, MacOS 10.14

Screenshot / Video

[marecar3]

Hey @thehenrybyrd, please can we rename the title of this issue so that it refers to both Audio and Video files? As I have experienced the same when uploading video files?

Describe the bug

When I try to upload an mp4 video using Free plan on WordPress.com, it gives a wrong error message. I think that we need to change that as it is not clear for users why they can’t upload videos.

To reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Download video from https://sample-videos.com/video123/mp4/720/big_buck_bunny_720p_1mb.mp4
2. Create a new Gutenberg (Block Editor) Post
3. Add video block
4. Select Upload and pick a downloaded video from step 1.

Expected behavior
We should inform user that he doesn't have Premium plan, something like this :

Screenshots

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• OS Mac OS Mojave : 10.14.3
• Browser Chrome
• Version 73.0.3683.86 (Official Build) (64-bit)

[thehenrybyrd]

Absolutely! Thanks for bringing video into it!

[lancewillett]

There seems to be progress on updating the language in the error message, see #27772

[creativecoder]

Note that a fix for the video block is in progress https://github.com/Automattic/jetpack/issues/14733

[apeatling]

Jetpack issues for reference https://github.com/Automattic/jetpack/issues/14902

[lancewillett]

Hi @apeatling Checking in on this project. Looks like not much activity since mid-March. Do you need help to finish it up?

[lancewillett]

Quick test to see current state — using Safari desktop on macOS, with a test account. Free site, no upgrades.

Loading the Video block shows a nicer message now:

Audio still shows an error message, Sorry, this file type is not permitted for security reasons.

[apeatling]

The video block is all done. The audio block is blocked on better plan checking support. Issue here: https://github.com/Automattic/jetpack/issues/14902

[zdenys]

Another report here https://wordpress.com/it/forums/topic/come-aggiungere-audio/

[mrfoxtalbot]

Solved here https://github.com/Automattic/jetpack/pull/16717