[videoblogging] Re: Revision 3 cuts back on shows including Epic Fu
What concerns me most of all is that we really need companies like Revision3 to succeed. The independent content creator, and in turn, independent production companies and studios, are really being overshadowed by the efforts of the Hollywood studios and entertainment conglomerates. For example, look at the lineups at Digital Hollywood and the NewTeeVee Live conferences -- there was a terrible lack of independent content creators sitting on panels alongside people from LucasFilm and Hulu. This is a major concern I have too, maybe the biggest issue on the table. I don't really think of Revision3 as independent. They are new, like a new cable station, but they have been trying to emulate an old model of TV and they are owned now by investors, so their #1 mission is likely to sell to a mainstream entity. This is going to be an uphill battle if rumors are true that this setback happened not due to an economic meltdown, but because they did not receive their next, anticipated round of funding. In case anyone didn't notice, the people who you tend to think of as independent, like Kevin Rose, for instance, has no control whatsoever over the company and apparently no say even. From his blog post, we can infer that he didn't even know about the layoffs until he was told by Jim, without discussion. Maybe Kevin should be more involved, that might help. Not sure. Nevertheless, setting aside Rev3, what is starting to happen is that Hulu and iTunes for instance are becoming so popular, that they are starting to control the programming for the masses. ***Hulu is a place where MOST people are not allowed to distribute.*** Same old game as before. Because Hulu is becoming so popular, it's starting to divide and this is destructive not only for independents, but for the future of media in general. Why cant Hulu continue to curate their favorite content in the same way, but allow anyone to distribute on a back channel like iTunes? Probably because they believe in a business model that will not include open and democratic media. It's their right to be closed, but it's a decision that hurts the world for no gain and its gross. When people say things like Hulu is for professional content while YouTube is for User Generated Content, the world is suffering even more and becoming further divided by a stark line between the two. The biggest threat of all is coming in tandem as Comcast started capping internet plans. Anyone who says this wont effect how much we can do online is naive. Their first cap- plan structure seems somewhat uninhibited right now but this doesn't mean they wont start tweaking the cap amounts once everyone accepts the reality in due time. While its easy to compete with CBS and Disney because now we use the same open distribution channels, it will be hard to compete with Verizon and Comcast, due to the amount of overhead needed to build out an alternative system. My hope is that a teenager will singlehandedly invent a new way to transfer data faster, without fiber - one that may cost almost nothing in terms of technological infrastructure. I'm certainly not going to sit around and wait for that to happen. What's to be done? At least a few things, I think: #1 Four years ago, I promoted the idea of saving up your coins for a year, buckling down, and investing in your own video company for a year. At the time, I thought a year would be enough but didn't understand how long it would take for a supportive marketplace to arise. Now, I'd say is an even better time to do it. If you can spend a year, starting right now, you may have an advantage due to a weak marketplace and the continuing growth in online audience demand. The market may be much stronger in a year when you are ready to monetize. If you can't do that, join another team who can. #2 Find the talent, dont assume you are the talent. This may be the biggest problem the independents suffer from. If you think you are really good on camera, there is probably someone who could do the job better. If you think you are a great story teller and that tons of people will enjoy your writing, you might be fooling yourself. Build a creative team of people who you think are better than you. #3 Start an iTunes/Hulu/Joost competitor. We know you dont need any overhead. A few talented programmers and UI developers should find a very open space. I remember before iTunes came out with their podcasting client, Rocketboom was getting slammed by literally 1000's of new and experimental audio and video distribution aggregators, most of which quickly faded away post-iTunes. It seems like there is room again for a new spirit and a better interface. #4 Be careful about the conversations you have: dont let this separation become more defined. Bring it all together in a way that people understand this is about democracy, choice and personalized content. This is where
[videoblogging] Re: Getting rid of camera shake with a single string.
Darn Parse bug: Here it is all like such as: http://tinyurl.com/yre2ng --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, RANDY MANN [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: just me or a bad link? On Jan 29, 2008 8:38 PM, Andrew Baron [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Every once in a while I come across a make-shift production hack that I really like. Here is a really clever way of stabilizing your camera with just a string and a washer: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/ 1041948/1_image_stabilizer_for_any_camera_lose_the_tripod/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[videoblogging] Re: marketing and distributing videos
Thanks Frank (and Kent!), see below: --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Frank Sinton [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Andrew, Been reading in on this conversation and had a few thoughts: 1) RSS enables you to have one point of distribution and ad insertion. The views on your video count as views on the original source, and makes managing the ads much easier as it gives you one place to manage them. It also has the added benefit of ads being delivered on the download too - for example, in iTunes and Miro (if you have put the ad/promo in the video itself). I completely agree with this. I also think the same exact thinking applies to YouTube. For instance, when we run a postroll advertisement on Rocketboom, that goes through all of the RSS feeds, but it also goes on YouTube and Yahoo and Dailymotion, etc. So in a way, YouTube is no different than iTunes. Its exactly the same in terms of it being an off-site environment that a video is available through, and in both cases, the advertising reach is just the same. Even better, we dont pay for the bandwidth when its not on our server (like RSS is). So if you are all cool with distributing in RSS to iTunes and Miro, why not distribute onto YouTube and Metacafe too? While there is so much gain to be had from this, what are the negatives to distributing your work on Youtube that Im missing? 2) Uploading to multiple sites, for most people, is for branding and distribution. Most video hosting sites don't offer a revenue program until you have reached a certain critical mass in terms of views. Even then, the CPMs aren't at a high enough level yet to make much for the individual producer. I remember the day before Rocketboom launched I had not yet settled the question of whether I should just use quicktime or provide wmv files too (flash was just not a good enough option at the time). Luckily, I knew from being crossplatormed that different people like different players, even if for quirky aesthetic reasons. So I decided from then on, if there was ever a demand for a filetype, we would provide it. Im just getting to know YouTube but its full of people who watch videos and belong to a community ON YouTube. A BIG one. If the typical YouTuber likes to watch Rocketboom but can't watch it on YouTube, then they many not watch it at all. YouTube is their RSS. Its how they remeber you exist and where the habitually watch their videos. YouTube obviously has one of the biggest parties of people around. AskaNinja was totally on-top of YouTube, they love the Ninja! Kent, I would encourage you guys to get back on there because its growing on it's own. Consider Epic-Fu's recent YouTube promotions. To say that is not adding emense value to their onsite and offsite sales would almost be insane. Congrats on the great growth! I know Rocketboom has been doing RSS for a while - although, I must say, the quality of the RSS is much better now that it is being run through Blip (video thumbnails, better metadata, etc). How much of the growth would you attribute to the Blip dashboard/distribution vs. uploading to YouTube, etc.? Yes, absolutely Blip has been very helpful. The quality of the Blip Flash file and our liking for the player is key and now that we have the flash files in our RSS feeds, its really contributed allot. Though all of our Blip distribution-juice (the kind that would show up on Compete), goes to Blip. We continue to distribute all of our own files minus the flash files. Blip's own RSS feed for Rocketboom and YouTube's feed for Rocketboom, as well as our new Feed-burner feed (which has Blip videos in it) are all great feeds, though my new favorite feeds are our own thanks to our developer Jamie who spent a lot of time getting them just right across tons of readers. So in conclusion all of the above (plus the fact that we are all trying as hard as we can on the content), drove all of the extra traffic to our own site I think. The month of December does not show up there yet, but it looks to be even more dramatic internally, probably spurred on by the writers strike (mass exodus and attention to online content) plus the typical end-of-year period which has been the biggest time over last 3 years. I should also mention that our growth on My Yahoo has been as important as YouTube and Blip. Even Dotsub translations are slowly growing. Here is to 2008 and the rising tide that lifts all ships! Andrew Regards, -Frank http://www.mefeedia.com - Discover the Video Web
[videoblogging] Re: the inevitable conversation about what we're doing
--- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Jay dedman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This is the blog post that Andrew posted: http://dembot.com/post/22117963 There are classic insights like, While the rest of the world is blooming online, TV has no new content to offer right now. I read it, and was like duh. we've been discussing why TV sucks since the beginning. its a forgone conclusion. Jay, apparently you have *completely* misread the post. When I said TV has no new content to offer, I didn't mean that metaphorically. I meant literally. The writers strike is an amazing turn of events, one that may have a much bigger impact on changing the traditional media landscape than anyone here has ever been able to articulate in times past (except maybe Adam Quirk early on Sunday mornings). Most of the shows on TV have not been completed for the next season and reruns are starting to happen across the set. This is such a major moment, its a crying shame people here dont see this. This is one of the biggest moments for a change in media that have seen yet. in 2004 people used to say we were cranks for these opinions. It was awesome that you wrote a concise essay about why TV studios will die, but did you think this was breaking news to anyone here? This is not old news, this is happening right now and each new day the industry is becoming more and more impacted. Many thought the strike would be over by now and some are predicting it will go on for months. I really recommend you have a look into this topic and consider applying what you know to the cause. I'm so fucking glad that TV writers are realizing that the cages are wide open now! Now that you know, why dont you say something about it. Speak out loud and let them know what they can do. If anyone has taken the role of teacher, you and Ryanne seem determined to spread technical information and encouragement, why dont you channel some of that energy towards Hollywood? Because now there is a window of opportunity that is oh so small and the consequences of poking it with a tiny little stick can be catastrophic due to the fragility of the entire market. In otherwords, if you are happy to teach anyone that is interested, know that pretty much ALL of the writers that make the content go 'round in Hollywood are interested right now. Id rather talk about how Rocketboom's format is the most widely copied format for online video shows these days. that's influence. Much appreciated, though I have not found this to be a warm topic of discussion here on this list ;) I get confused how folks diss this specific small email list...and touts the numbers and importance of Techmeme, Techcrunch, Newteevee or other websites. they certainly are cool...but are any of these communities in the comments more gracious or insightful? I think you may be missing the references here too. For instance, I dont think Newteevee is a community, per se, and I dont think others meant that either. But if you want to know whats going on in the space, it used to be that this was the place to discover that news. Not only does Newteevee do a much better, much more comprehensive job of keeping track of issues that happen in the space (includinh non-market news), this list has gone the opposite direction in that department. Else, I personally consider Techmeme important because its a kind of a measure on discussion, actually. The topics have caused thinkers into discussion and its an indicator of how much a topic has cased people to speak out. So to take a stab at your question, yes, they are more gracious (WAY) and are more regularly insightful. So please dont make people feel shitty because they dont happen to love your one post every 10 months. As on any list, the people who regularly participate in a community usually get the most response. I dont think I was making anyone feel shitty for not responding to my post. I was using it as an example because I think its a totally quintessential, extremely perfect example that makes for the excellent case that the discussion is not happening here on anything new. And while I have posted hundreds and hundreds of posts here, not quite as rare as one in every 10 months now, but you are right. This pattern of my posting seems to support the conclusion that this is not as happening for me as it once used to be. I dont wish it any death. I'd like to see it improve which is why Im talking about it on Christmas Eve and trying to send possible solutions, etc. I am still grateful for this list, especially for how much support I have gotten in the past and I think I have given alot as well. Its kinda of like a family which you love unconditionally even when you disagree and get upset, so Ill stick around. yep...its all good Andrew. as much as we used to fight in the beginning, I love how stubborn and protective you've been of your own video
[videoblogging] Maker Faire Video Set
Covering an event like the Maker Fair, in video form, can be extremely challenging. The style that I have become accustomed to in the past is to shoot as much as possible and then edit it all down into a single video of just a few minutes, with the expectations for some extras of raw video, for the more interested. This is what we are doing for our Rocketboom episode tomorrow on Tuesday. However, setting aside the show itself (and the extras), Im pretty happy with the way this one came together, in terms of audience experience for event documentation: http://rocketboom.com/maker_faire/ Much like a photo set, we set out to capture tiny little clips that, all together, stand as a fun little, self-paced video ride through the fair. I see it as somewhat of an evolution on the Flickr Set experience, in one baby step. My new favorite event had all the visual candy anyone would need to make something like this work.
[videoblogging] Rendering in realtime on the cheap
For a look into the near future: Fujitsu is releasing a chip on July 1st that appears to encode HD in real time for only $247. A chip like this could forseeably make it's way into an Apple computer this year. Pair that with fiber optics and next January's CES conference could be full of people streaming high quality video in realtime over the net. Could be pretty boring to see but the implication otherwise are pretty neat. http://tinyurl.com/2833lt
[videoblogging] Re: Why Joost?
Thanks for all your feedback, I posted the article here: http://www.dembot.com/013652.html --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Drew [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm working on an article I hope to publish tomorrow on my weblog about aggregators like Joost and I was hoping to get some feedback from anyone who has any expectations for Joost. I will not be surprised if Joost winds up becoming a staple video distribution point for many, but as of now, I can not see it. We have seen dozens of these roll out similarly with money and popular founders yet they all seem to offer the same thing. And most are not catching any sparks. Isn't Joost the new Brightcove and wasn't Brightcove the new Akimbo which was the new TiVo? I dont mean to rag on any companies here, Im just wondering why the party would suddenly be over at Joost. You can buy relationships to match advertisers and content partners but where will the audience come from? Any ideas?
[videoblogging] Why Joost?
I'm working on an article I hope to publish tomorrow on my weblog about aggregators like Joost and I was hoping to get some feedback from anyone who has any expectations for Joost. I will not be surprised if Joost winds up becoming a staple video distribution point for many, but as of now, I can not see it. We have seen dozens of these roll out similarly with money and popular founders yet they all seem to offer the same thing. And most are not catching any sparks. Isn't Joost the new Brightcove and wasn't Brightcove the new Akimbo which was the new TiVo? I dont mean to rag on any companies here, Im just wondering why the party would suddenly be over at Joost. You can buy relationships to match advertisers and content partners but where will the audience come from? Any ideas?
[videoblogging] HD Cams and Podcasting Distribution
A couple of interesting items from Podcasting News: Sony releasing three new models of full HD cameras from $1000 - $1400 (anyone heard anything about these?): http://www.podcastingnews.com/2007/04/26/sony-handycam-hd/ Podshow Podcasters Lose Satellite Audience (this is a bummer): http://www.podcastingnews.com/2007/04/30/podshow-sirius/
[videoblogging] Re: NFL Draft Web Stream From Radio City Music Hall Saturday
Is streaming ready for prime time? It's my understanding that it is technically not ready. Can Ustream hold more than 250 people without crashing? I have seen it clogged when over 200 people are on. More to the point, I have heard that the flash streaming server technology is limited to under a couple of thousand clients per stream, no? Does anyone know what the Flash limit is? Is there a workaround with colocating? p.s. This note was resent - 2 others never went trough. --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, thisiswar3005 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Greetings, SBS and USTREAM.TV are collaborating to present the first-ever live web stream show of the 2007 NFL Draft this Saturday at Radio City Music Hall. It will be cast at both http://nfldraftmag.blogspot.com and from http://ustream.tv starting Saturday morning at 8 AM PST / 11 AM EST and again on Sunday at the same time. We will have visitors like Sports Illustrated's Paul Zimmerman and other s as well as videos from Draft interviews and some other surprises. WE can't continuously show the Draft stage, but we will have audio and video such that you will be there with us as much as possible. We expect some glitches, but that comes with the territory. Spread the word and feel free to contact me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with any questions. I've spent a lot of time working out the details and rules with the NFL so I'm releaved just to be in New York and near the eve of this event. The http://nfldraftmag.blogspot.com site already has NFL Draft-related blog content, and the offerings will only grow as we get closer to Saturday. Thanks again to UStream's founders and advocates. Thanks, Zennie Abraham, Jr. Chairman and CEO Sports Business Simulations 510-387-9809 www.sbs-world.com
