About.com Desktop Video

YouTube as Inifinite Jest

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:00:16 +0000

If you're not familiar with it, the novel Infinite Jest involves a video that is so compelling viewers will not stop watching it. They literally atrophy and die in their armchairs because the video is so amusing they cannot turn away.

Watching YouTube could get like that for me, so I have to limit my intake. I generally only watch videos that come from producers I already know and like, or ones that I read about in blogs or have recommended to me personally. If I started surfing YouTube haphazardly, I MIGHT NEVER STOP!

But that shouldn't prevent you from visiting YouTube and searching out the next new viral sensation. I've put together this YouTube Viewers Guide to help you sort through the millions of videos on the site and find the ones that are most appealing to you. Because with something as big as YouTube, you need to go in with a plan or you could get lost and never come out!

YouTube as Inifinite Jest originally appeared on About.com Desktop Video on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 09:00:16.

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Broadcast Yourself on YouTube

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:51:39 +0000

Used to be you'd have to pay millions of dollars for your own broadcasting network. Thanks to YouTube, you can have on for free. This Broadcast Yourself on YouTube Guide shows you how to set up your YouTube account, prepare and upload your videos, set up a YouTube channel and promote your videos.

It's easy and it's free. Man, am I glad to live in the age of digital video!

Broadcast Yourself on YouTube originally appeared on About.com Desktop Video on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 13:51:39.

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Citizen Journalism on YouTube Direct

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:26:13 +0000

YouTube Direct is a new service that brings together citizen journalists and professional news organizations. If you witness something newsworthy, upload your videos to YouTube Direct, where they will be reviewed by professional journalists looking for footage. Already, ABC News, the Huffington Post, NPR, Politico, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Washington Post, and others are using YouTube Direct videos as part of their newscasts.

This is just one of many places you can contribute your videos of current events. CNN's iReport, ABC News' i-Caught, and the BBC's Your News all feature user-generated videos uploaded by citizen journalists. And if you're a dedicated citizen journalist, you can set up your own community jornalism video blog to feature your videos.

Citizen Journalism on YouTube Direct originally appeared on About.com Desktop Video on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 10:26:13.

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YouTube Announce Support for 1080P

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:59:00 +0000

YouTube used to have a reputation for low-quality video, but that's been changing recently. And when the video sharing site rolls out 1080p streaming next week, you'll be able to share videos in the highest quality available. But now that they're improving video resolution, I hope they'll consider increasing file size limits. After all, a 2GB upload limit means your 1080p HD video has to be really short, or already compressed.

YouTube Announce Support for 1080P originally appeared on About.com Desktop Video on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 10:59:00.

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Government Use of Online Video

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:18:27 +0000

The US Census Department has awarded VBrick a contract worth nearly half a million for video hosting and streaming services. This is just the latest example of the rush of government agencies to online video.

Streaming video offers many advantages to government users. Agencies save money by conducting virtual meetings; departments share internal knowledge through video libraries; and towns broadcast local meetings and news over their web sites.

For businesses and government alike online video is becoming a commodity, not a novelty. As more companies embrace it, those that don't will be left behind. As a video producer, it's a trend I'm happy to see.

Government Use of Online Video originally appeared on About.com Desktop Video on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 12:18:27.

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The Easiest Way to Compare Online Video Providers

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:27:12 +0000

Awesome web site alert: VidCompare lets you look at video streaming and hosting providers side-by-sde. The site includes user reviews and lets you search for providers based on the criteria that are most important to your business. From small start-ups or large multi-nationals, VidCompare lets any business find an online video provider that will fit its needs.

The Easiest Way to Compare Online Video Providers originally appeared on About.com Desktop Video on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 11:27:12.

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Movie Downloads From Best Buy

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:08:24 +0000

Internet shopping for the holiday season is extra convenient if you're buying movies or other digital programs. Buy the product online, and download it instantly instead of paying for shipping and waiting a few days.

Amazon, iTunes and Netflix have offered this service for a while, and now Best Buy will start selling digital downloads in addition to physical DVDs. The electronics megastore announced last week that all internet-connected devices sold in its stores will include software that allows users to download hundreds of movies, including some new releases on the same day they come out on DVD.

Personally, I love digital delivery. It's more environmentally friendly, often less expensive, and a whole lot more convenient. My husband, though, is very attached to having a physical collection of his favorite movies, and swears that the quality of DVD is better than streaming. Sometimes that's clearly right, but most of the time I don't see a difference.

Do you have a preference for DVDs or digital downloads? Leave a comment and let me know which format you prefer, and why.

Movie Downloads From Best Buy originally appeared on About.com Desktop Video on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 11:08:24.

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On a Video Shopping Spree

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:18:52 +0000

I've been working on a dream job setting up a new client with the equipment they'll need to set up an in-house video department. To say there's no budget is to exaggerate, but this is one of those large companies that has no problem seeing a lot of zeroes.

So I've been set loose to find a camcorder, microphones, editing software and accessories for $10,000. And it's not even like we're talking about super-professional equipment; they're looking for quality stuff that staff can use without a lot of training.

It's nice to take price out of the equation - especially since I'm so keenly aware of it when shopping for my own video equipment. I've spent all morning on the B&H website looking at cameras, tripods, mics, teleprompters, backdrops and lights, with my focus entirely on quality and function, not cost. I wish shopping were always like this!

On a Video Shopping Spree originally appeared on About.com Desktop Video on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 14:18:52.

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Create Commercials and Win

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:48 +0000

There are two new commercial contests for you to enter; you can win up to $7,500 as well as some other cool prizes. Good luck.

2009 AKC/Eukanuba Commercial Contest. Contest ends: November 30, 2009
Best Idea on Two Feet Contest. Contest ends December 4, 2009 (The Z-CoiL "Best Idea on Two Feet" Commercial Challenge ("Contest") is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older.)

Go to Online Video Contests to view all of the contests featured on our site.

Create Commercials and Win originally appeared on About.com Desktop Video on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 09:00:48.

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CDNs v. YouTube: Let the Streaming Begin

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:38:22 +0000

Should you host your videos on YouTube, or pay the fee to sign up for a dedicated content delivery network? Let's break down the pros and cons.

Cost: YouTube is free; CDNs charge a monthly fee. YouTube wins.

Services: YouTube offers only streaming video; CDNs offer streaming video, live video casting, video conferencing, pay-per-view video downloads and more. CDNs win.

Customization: YouTube videos are limited in length and play in Flash in a standard, branded player; CDNs allow you stream any length video in customized video players in various formats. CDNs win.

Video Quality: YouTube is getting better about converting video, but the quality can still be sketchy; online conversion quality varies between CDNs, but you can always use your own video conversion software before uploading. CDNs win.

Popularity: When your video is on YouTube it's instantly in front of millions of eyeballs, and indexed in Google; some CDNs offer video syndication, but mostly you'll be self promoting your videos. YouTube wins.

In the end it comes down to your purpose for uploading videos in the first place. If you're trying to make viral videos that will appeal to all audiences, go the YouTube route. If you're trying to communicate a professional message to a specific audience, using a CDN to stream the videos through your website is probably best.

Top Content Delivery Networks for Streaming Video

CDNs v. YouTube: Let the Streaming Begin originally appeared on About.com Desktop Video on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 14:38:22.

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