What’s the difference with Web TV and TV?

It’s really nice to have the BBC iplayer, itv.com’s catchup service and channel 4’s 4OD, but I struggle to find content that I really want to watch on these services. I have the free-view service on my TV and that’s OK, but it’s still loads of repeats and I’m actually thinking of smashing up my TV and just sticking with the web! Well…. why do we need it now? The government has a digital switch over plan to be completed by 2012, so all the channels will be available via the web. We have loads of online channels who are offering film download services, catchup and other programs all over. I have a lovely widescreen Monitor and I can see almost crystal clear video quality on it.

So what’s the difference? why do I still need my TV?

Well.. let me tell you something! I really like the fact that I can touch a button on the remote and watch TV immediately. I also like jumping on my nice comfy leather sofa, flicking through the channels to see if anything takes my fancy. Then, when I actually do find something I like, I can sit back and enjoy the show. With Web TV, I still need to power up my computer, hit the browser application and then type in the web address. Sorry guys but it’s still a bit of a pain! Then my eyes get tired on the monitor and I feel like i have been on the computer all day! Sometimes the stream buffers and I need to wait for the stream to catch up.

So what’s the verdict ? Why am I giving out two very strong reasons both ways?? Web TV is great and I love watching quick clips on the catchup services and short form videos online. But as a moment; a moment to take time out , get entertained and relax. I just don’t think internet TV completes it for me yet! Not in a relaxing way. If I’m online, great! I’ll watch something quickly and get entertained. But then I go back to work! (Ops sorry boss, if you’re reading this.)

Food for thought!

Signing off!

Realitypod.tv

Where’s the Money in Online Video?

If I keep asking that question most people tell me, “I really don’t know!… “I’m not sure!” but a handful of people will say “I haven’t a clue” because they are making so much money that they want to keep it all for themselves. 😉

One of the ways to make a lot of money is content syndication and licensing. Every network, broadcaster and even online publisher has an acquisitions department or person whose job it is to acquire content.

Now one of the main problems of Digital Distribution is “rights control”. This is affecting the catalogues of online video companies or digital distribution companies and sometimes called aggregators. Here is the problem, the Hollywood Studios are not really giving full access to their catalogue online yet, as they want to see how they can protect their digital rights in each territory and I’m not sure they trust the current solutions available on the market. They want to see control over the way the content is managed and distributed. So.. what are the current solutions??

There are three major players in the market trying to solve this on a global level:-

1. Apple TV

2. Vudu

3. Xbox 360

IGNentertainment has put together a cool video showing us these products. Although it’s a little old now, it should give you an idea of what’s in store for the future.

What do I keep shouting about?? common already, go build an online channel, get a subscriber base and start making money from online advertising and content licensing. 😉

Another great example of content syndication on a smaller level is the “How to” sites. They are selling their content to every niche that’s out there! OK it’s not going to the Xbox 360’s of the world but it’s definitely going to other websites and online publishers.

Enjoy!

Realitypod.tv

pay per click or clip?

Now, I love “how to videos”, I also love filming, content creation and video editing. So I’m asking you, do I make “how too video tips” on production”? and then stick them on youtube.com? Well I could and I’m more than capable of doing that. But here is the thing, youtube.com, rever video , livevideo.com , google video and all the video channels are packed with people telling us about video production tips. Now that’s not including the videojug.com, 5mins.com & www.howto.tv sites of this world, which are dedicated to producing short form “how to” video. Don’t get me wrong; they provide an amazing service and I feel that if this is the way culture is going, and we turn to video sites like these to educate ourselves and not through books, then as a video expert in the field and an internet enthusiast I’m all for it. I think it’s an amazing niche in the market, and getting experts in each field to represent and produce videos rocks!

So, I started out with a question: do I make these kind of videos? is it worth it? does my niche have a big enough pull to make it worth while?? ahhhh I hear you say, yes let me say it again….”Do making these kind of videos make ME the content producer PROFIT??? Isn’t this what we work for? Well I personally would say NO it’s not worth it. As it’s a very crowded market and people out there have been doing it for a long time now. If I had a whole catalogue of videos in every niche like videojug.com then yes, it’s a great business model and welcome to profitability in the long term.

So firstly I want to thank everybody for teaching me how to learn Final Cut Pro and giving me tips on my cannon XH A1 as over the last few years, I have become a prolific video editor and director. ;-)) Secondly I want make a PROFIT from online video!

To make a profit you have to get it from Advertising, cost per click, overlays, pay per click advertising and all that good stuff. It’s funny how similar online video is starting to become like the broadcast model, “Selling advertising.” The most hit sites get the best revenue and this is all based around good old fashioned story telling. So its all in the idea and in the content that makes that hit online video channel. It needs to be a channel and not just a hit video, something that people can follow, engage or subscribe to.

Who has seen lonely girl15 or LisaNova or even communitychannel? She has 114 Videos online and 1,327,498 million views this week on youtube.com and 138,546 subscribers. All these channels have a few common threads, they are all female, reality based and in their 20’s.. Does this tell you something about our audience?

OK I’m not going to give too much away, but I think I have given you some good ideas. Right!… now I’m off to the storyboard and produce my hit online video channel..

This is one sure way to make money and earn a pay per click revenue stream from your wonderful online video channel.

Here is the communitychannel’s latest video:

Signing off.

Realitypod team!

Integrated Media Platforms

Boxee.tv has come up with a brilliant solution! It provides one platform to view all your digital media.  It integrates your hard drive and all the online media websites you watch and listen to. You may never have to visit different sites again! 

http://www.boxee.tv

Enjoy!

Realitypod team

Video Publishing Platforms

Since the revolution of broadband we have seen a massive upswing in online video. This, coupled with the price drop in consumer technology and basic editing software which is included on most operating systems, almost everyone has become a Video Director.. Well, it’s so easy to upload a clip to youtube.com and broadcast yourself to the world that I believe this makes it one of the most exciting industries to come out of the internet and it’s opened up a whole world of creativity to be enjoyed, both on the consumer side & business sites.

We have all known for a while that the way forward for business on the internet is to get much more interactive, by introducing video on their websites as the best way to engage and communicate with their customers. Business from all sectors has been a bit slow to embraced online video as a medium to communicate for reasons I will discuss in another blog!  BUT this makes me happy as the market is still very young and there is a massive opportunity!

Internet entrepreneurs from all sides of the planet have been waiting for this revolutions and the service providers have been trying to come up with a content management solution to managed, report, deliver and encode the video in one platform. This makes it much easier to manage their growing online content requirement! The best sites I have come across that achieve this are Brightcove, Move Network, Maven Networks, Narrowstep, The Plaform and Kit Digital (formally Roo). there are a few new others on the block, like Kewago, Ooyala, iolo & best TV, vimeo.com

So you see there is no shortage of businesses to help get your content online!

Signing off 

Realitypod Team!

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