Using dropbox to share media files for download and preview

[james power]

Hi, I work for large public art gallery and part of my job is facilitating outward loan requests and external previews for a collection of time-based media art. Im looking at implementing dropbox as the platform for sharing this content but am struggling with my best approach and was hoping someone with more experience on the platform could steer me in the right direction. My 2 scenarios are:

1. Sharing medium to large video files to be downloaded with password protection and only accessed by specific recipient. I have found I can do this but When I add an email to share the folder with Dropbox automatically notifies them -  I specifically dont them notified because this a needs to be done by department... Is there any way to stop Dropbox sending this notification? 

2. Sharing medium to large video files for viewing (but not download) with specific recipients and/or limiting access with password protection. It seems theres a few ways I can go about this one - can anyone suggest the best way to do it?

any other suggestions or tips would be much appreciated!!

cheers,

Jimmy

[Megan]

Hey @james power, I'd be happy to help! 

Both of your requests, could use our shared links feature. Essentially, you can use shared links to send your content to people, whether they have a Dropbox account or not. 

You can add passwords, and disable downloads if you're using the right plan, and it wouldn't notify anyone, unless you choose to share the link with them. You can do this any way you want: message, email or any other way.

Based on what you described, it seems you were using shared folders instead, hence the recipient got notified. 

I hope this clarifies!