Video SEO - Youtube vs. 3rd party hosting with Video Sitemap

[tennisexpress]

We need some feedback on the best place to upload videos. Should we be uploading our videos everywhere (YouTube, Metacafe, Vimeo, etc.)?

Note: Currently we are using a 3rd party video video hosting solution called Treepodia. Previously we used Wistia. Both host our videos, and submit a Video Sitemap through Webmaster tools. When one of these videos shows up in search results and somebody clicks on it, they are directed back to our website.

Are we competing against ourselves if we upload videos to other networks like Youtube, etc. if we are already submitting a Video Sitemap through a 3rd party? I've noticed we rank higher in Google Videos search for our Youtube videos vs. our 3rd party hosted videos.

Also, how do Youtube video views tie into this situation... we used to embed videos via Youtube embed code. Now we seem to be missing out on the extra views we were getting by doing so.

Ultimate question: host videos through a 3rd party and submit a video sitemap OR host videos on Youtube and embed on our website?

[EGOL]

YouTube is the world's second largest search engine.

If you have a message to get out, giving your videos to YouTube and promoting them would be a smart idea.

If you want to control smaller amounts of traffic then use another video hosting solution.

[tennisexpress]

This response does not apply to my question. We are very knowledgeable about Youtube. We produce tremendous amounts of videos each week.

We are asking if we should upload the same video to multiple video hosting companies? Yes or No and why?

[NueMD]

This is a great question and one that we have been trying to ascertain a definitive answer to. The best answer I have seen so far is here: http://www.seomoz.org/q/best-way-to-host-video

Phil's responses and additional comments are particularly insightful.