[WVZ Alert] Portable video - Am I missing something?
Joe's semi-regular emailing to subscribers of
'WebVideoZone Alerts' and 'The HotBizz Report' September 18, 2006 Hello there - I have a confession to make... I don't get the whole 'portable mini-video thing.' I don't even own an ipod, let alone a video ipod -
and I have no desire to do so. I also don't own, or wish to own, any other devices
that allow you to watch eye-straining video on a
screen the size of my big toenail - such as the:
- Sony PSP
- RadioShack Analog TV Tuner
- Cellphone with video capability
- Microsoft Zune
- EchoStar PocketDish
- Comcast Anyplay
- iRiver H10
- ad nauseum
It's weird... On one hand, bigger is better. We are wildly infatuated with
monstrous, widescreen, high-def, theatre-quality 3D
surround sound, digital plasma TVs that cost more than my car. And on the other, small is the way to go. We're crazy for
the latest, teeniest, most compact portable gadgets that will
allow us to watch anything, anywhere, at any time. Although I'm not one to generally rush out and buy the
latest gadget, I do spend most of my waking hours either
producing, writing about, or simply pondering the subject
of video (and user-generated web video, in particular). So that's why I find this all so fascinating. And despite the fact that the minis are flying off the shelves
faster than the manufacturers can make them, I'm going to
take a contrarian point of view here, and tell you not to
get too excited about this industry (just yet). Why? Because everyone is afraid they're going to miss the boat
(again) like they did with portable digital audio. We're
talking about the big:
- manufacturers
- media companies
- marketing companies
- advertising agencies
However, portable video is not yet ready to go mainstream.
At least not here in the US. See, there's a big difference between audio and video. Audio is passive.
Video is engaging (more or less).
- You can listen while you drive.
- You can listen while you play.
- You can listen while study.
- You can listen while you work.
- etc....
But with video, two senses, not just one, need to be
focused and paying attention. In a society of multitaskers, that's one sense too many.
I can't even write this dopey newsletter and watch clips
of the Colbert Report at the same time. But turn on some funky jazz, and just watch my fingers move. I've got two words for you: "Novelty Factor" Sure, many will benefit from this technology:
- Those who use public transportation
- Kids stuck in the back seat on long trips
- Companies who want you to think you can't live without it
Mini/portable is also perfect for certain niches, especially
the education fields (e.g., travel videos, language lessons,
etc.), and of course, entertainment (notably, the adult kind). But remember this: Web video is easy, relaxing and spontaneous.
Portable video is a bit confusing, and requires forethought
and planning. Sure, portable video may eventually become mainstream - but
not any time soon (despite what everyone else is telling you). People will buy the players (because marketers are good at
what they do), but whether or not people are going to use
them - that's a different story entirely. So that's why, for now, you should focus your energies on
web video. If you have videos on your web site, it certainly
doesn't hurt to make them available for downloading and viewing
on these portable devices (e.g., video podcasts). But don't get yourself too worried or excited about portable
video. At least not just yet. ------------------------------------------------------------ For more, see the article:
"Quick and Easy Guide to Creating Your Own Video Podcast"
http://www.webvideozone.com/members/92.cfm ------------------------------------------------------------ ===========================================================
This Week in The WebVideoZone...
=========================================================== How to use web video to promote your products with an
affiliate program. The Video Affiliate System(tm) at work:
http://webvideozone.com/public/243.cfm And speaking of the VAS... A special thanks to Allan Gardyne for his review of the
The Video Affiliate System(tm). Allan says:
"Affiliate merchants, I reckon you'll see the huge
potential in this... This has exciting possibilities."
http://webvideozone.com/allan-gardyne.html Are you relying upon free web video services such as
Google and YouTube to host your web site videos?
If so, you may want to re-consider:
http://prweb.com/releases/2006/9/prweb434840.htm How to use The Web Video Player(tm) to add interactive
web videos (and a little excitement) to your eBay auctions:
http://webvideozone.com/public/240.cfm Why you should consider using text to add interest
to your web videos - and three examples:
http://webvideozone.com/members/242.cfm ===========================================================
This Week in The WebVideoZone forum...
=========================================================== Are people really interested in watching web videos?
Here are some interesting stats:
http://go.webvideozone.com/forum/60 Tips for better results when using a 'greenscreen':
http://go.webvideozone.com/forum/50 Promoting products using affiliate links in your videos:
http://go.webvideozone.com/forum/59 NTSC vs. PAL - Does it matter for your web videos?
It might, here's why:
http://go.webvideozone.com/forum/54 ===========================================================
Below the Fold
=========================================================== My buddy, Nalts, over at WillVideoForFood.com is holding
a contest to see who can make the *WORST* video:
http://nalts.wordpress.com/crap-in-tiffanys-bag-contest/ Here's my submission (I apologize in advance):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Maozq_qDjKU If you agree it's horrible, please give it as low a
rating as possible. Thanks! (First person to watch it
all the way through wins a prize!) =========================================================== Ok - that's it. Questions, comments, suggestions, etc.? For example:
"Hey, nice job, Joe. Loved your newsletter."
--or--
"Your newsletters are a long, rambling, mess." Please submit them here:
http://webvideozone.com/contact.html Thanks for reading this far. Until next time... Best Wishes -
Joe Chapuis
www.WebVideoZone.com
www.HotBizz.com
=========================================================== The WebVideo Zone
PO Box 377 Eastford, CT 06242
Tel: 508-275-9122 ===========================================================
| 
WVZ Control Panel
