What is Videoblogging?
Depends who you ask, but let's accept as a working definition: "Distributing personal video over the Internet." This usually includes having an RSS feed so that people can easily watch your video in their preferred aggregator.
Much of the information below originated in the Videoblogging Group, which I highly recommend for more information. Think of this as a FAQ for the group.
Learn to Videoblog: Some Resources
FAQ #1: What Video Format Should I Use?
What's Out There?
Here are the most common options:
MOV (QuickTime)
Pro: Easy and cheap/free to create on a Mac, any Mac user can view.
Con: Windows users will have to download a plugin to view it.
WMV (Windows Media Player)
Everything I said above about MOV for the Mac is true of WMV on Windows.
SWF or FLV (Flash)
You'll need additional compression software (e.g. Sorenson Squeeze, $99) to create it, but well over 90% of web users already have installed the plugin they need to view it.
M4V
Native (though not only) format for video iPods. Most easily created using QuickTime Pro ($30).
DivX
Until recently, the DivX format was primarily used for high-quality downloaded video to be played back on computers or DivX-compatible DVD players. A few of my videos are available in DivX format - it's a nice change to be able to watch them in full screen at high quality, though the files are large and take time to download.
DivX have now released a web player (my experiment with it can be seen here). This is just getting off the ground and the player is not yet widespread, so using this format would mean forcing practically everybody to download additional software. If video producers decide that's a good tradeoff for possibly better quality, this format may take off.
What Should I Use?
The best choice of video format for you will depend on your time and resources and your intended audience - that is, HOW and WHERE you want people to view your video. If you want them to see it primarily on a web page, Flash is the format that most people will be able to view right away, without downloading any additional plugins for their browsers.
Objections to Flash include:
- It's designed for streaming, and can be difficult (but not impossible) to view properly if downloaded.
- The format cannot be remixed, so no one else can do mashups or make other re-editing use of your work if it's only available in Flash. (You may consider this an advantage.)
- It's not playable on portable devices, e.g. iPods.
If you want to distribute your video through iTunes, you MUST use a compatible format (M4V or MOV).
Personally, I produce most of my videos in several different formats.
FAQ #2: Which is the Best Video Hosting Service?
That's a matter of taste and your needs; see here for comparisons.
Tools for Vloggers
- Video Pop-Up Link Maker: If you like your video to pop up in a little window (instead of being embedded on the page or opening a new page when clicked), this is for you.
- Rocketboom's Tools List
- An elegant Flash player by Jeroen Wijering - provides a scrubber (aka progress bar) and play/pause button for Flash video. Used on this site.
The Legalities
Copyright vs. Fair Use
Legal Suggestions and Links from Gena
What About Using Copyrighted Music?
The basics on what you can do with other people's music in videoblogs are here.
But also, go watch this. Which says pretty much all that needs to be said.
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