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user-generated-video posts

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

Graspr: Another user-generated how to video site

Graspr
While we often find ourselves thinking the last thing we really need is yet another website that lets users upload, share, and vote on videos, we might make an exception for Graspr. Like SuTree and 5min, Graspr is focused on how-to videos.

Sure, you can find out how to knit or shave with a straight razor on YouTube, but it's hard to find good instructional videos because there's just so much stuff to sift through on a general purpose site.

Graspr has a clean, easy to navigate interface. For example, the computers & internet section actually has useful subcategories like networking, hardware, internet, programming & design, security, software, and general. All too often, it seems like these instructional websites aren't geared toward geeks, so we appreciate it when we find a site that is.

And for a service that just launched this week, there are already a good number of instructional videos to browse through, thanks to a successful beta period. We also like how registered users can take notes on videos and read notes left by other members of the community.

There are still a few kinks to work out. When we tried to copy the embed code for a video using the "copy , we got a site not found error. But by copying the code manually, we managed to embed a video after the jump.

Read more →

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.

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

Revver has paid video producers $1 million in 1 year

RevverToday marks the 1 year anniversary since video sharing site Revver emerged from beta status. And by some remarkable coincidence, the site has also paid out exactly $1 million to content creators and distributors in that year.

While we're certain they're fudging the numbers by just a whee bit (come on, they probably hit the $1 million mark weeks ago, or are going to in a few weeks), it's still a pretty nifty demonstration that user generated video can be profitable for web publishers and users alike. Revver splits advertising revenue 50/50 with video producers.

Users who embed Revver clips on other sites can get 20 percent of advertising revenue. You need to earn $20 before Revver will send you a check, but apparently 25,000 people have done that so far. And Revver is presenting Doogtoons creator Doug Bresler with an "honorary check" for the $1 millionth dollar.

[via NewTeeVee]

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