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Filed under: Video, Microsoft, Web

Microsoft changing its approach to user generated videos

MSN Video
Microsoft launched a user generated video site called Soapbox nearly 3 years ago. First released in private beta in 2006, the site opened to the public in early 2007. Eventually, Microsoft just folded user generated content into its larger video portal, MSN Video.

But MSN Video has never come close to YouTube's success in attracting users who want to upload or watch user generated video. And fighting YouTube on its own turf is an expensive proposition.

Now Microsoft VP Erik Jorgensen tells CNET that the company is changing its strategy for user generated video content.

The new goal is to use the service to allow bloggers and citizen journalists to post entertainment, finance, and lifestyle videos that Microsoft can feature on its other web properties covering those topics. Microsoft may begin to restrict user uploads in the future to reduce the costs of running the service. It's not clear whether that means only users with approved accounts would be able to upload videos, or whether Microsoft will employ some sort of selection process that only allows users to upload certain videos related to specific topics.

Filed under: Internet, Video, Web services, web 2.0

YouTube Fast Player: Search for more videos without pausing

YouTube FastSearch
One of the things that's always bothered us about YouTube is that there's no way to search for videos without stopping playback of the video you're currently watching (unless you open a new tab or browser window). MSN Video has had a feature for a while that lets you search for videos and create a video playlist without interrupting any video you happen to be watching at the time, but if you want to browse YouTube's library in this way you'll need to look to a third party solution like YouTube Fast Search.

YouTube Fast Search is a nifty web site that lets you play any video you can find on YouTube. While one video is playing, you can search for additional videos and drag and drop them to a playlist window at the bottom of the screen. When your first video is done playing, the next video in your playlist will start. Easy as pie, and something YouTube really should implement on its own site.

[via Google Operating System]

Filed under: Internet, Video, Microsoft, Social Software

Soapbox is dead, long live MSN Video (with integrated Soapbox)

MSN Video SoapboxMicrosoft has taken its user generated video site and added it to MSN Video beta. The site formerly known as Soapbox no longer exists as a standalone service. Instead, user generated video and professionally produced video will all be part of the MSN video service.

We have to say, the move isn't particularly surprising. In fact, we noticed a striking resemblance between MSN Video beta and Soapbox back in April.

The new version of the site features a Soapbox-like video player and layout. That means you can browse for videos without pausing playback of the movie you're currently watching. If you want to view just user-generated content, there's a new tab labeled "Soapbox User Videos."

Here are a few other updates to MSN Video beta:
  • Videos you upload will be encoded for online viewing faster
  • Support or new video codecs and extensions
  • Updated RSS feed for displaying Soapbox videos in RSS readers with a native embedded player
  • Fullscreen option for Soapbox Embedded player
In many ways, we think the MSN Video/Soapbox site is easier to navigate than YouTube, and has higher quality videos. But the thing about user-generated video sites is that they aren't much good without content. And as long as YouTube has the largest user base, that's where you'll continue to find most of the videos you actually want to watch.

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