Comparing videoblog sites
Anne at loadedpun says blip.tv is better than YouTube.
Dedicated videobloggers are, indeed Blip’s target user and it’s a wise move. Videobloggers are notoriously loyal customers and Blip is a big part of the videoblogging community. Vloggers are looking for hosting sites that will not keep their content in walled gardens, releasing it only on branded flash players. We want to use the formats that work best for us and we don’t want our videos to be considered “Blip” videos. We want our videos to be Ours. Blip does this nicely by offering a flash version for those that want it and access to the files in the format we upload as for our own sites. That way, we can make our content available in RSS feeds. Want to have your vlog featured on itunes? With YouTube, it can’t happen. With Blip (and sites like it), it can.
Anne also discusses the “how can they pay for all that bandwidth” question (many people have recently done the same, regarding YouTube). Then she goes on to illuminate a key distinction:
Blip does not rely on viewership but on content creators. This is a huge difference between Blip and YouTube and, I think, it’s a difference that will stand them in good stead as other hosters fall by the wayside. By placing the focus on the content makers rather than garnering large viewerships and social networks, they avoid the pitfalls of competing for eyes.
I’m no expert on videoblogging, but I try to keep tabs on where this practice might be heading. One of the more original vlog entries I’ve seen is one in which blogger and information architect Peter Van Dijck reviews three new books about videoblogging (video at Blip). Check it out — he’s doing one-handed video camera operation as he opens his box from Amazon.com, and a big part of his review consists of his showing us the cover of each book and flipping through the pages. I can’t exactly explain why, but I found his style both weird and interesting.
I’ve seen plenty of other videos where a guy turns the video camera around to tape himself (notably zefrank). I’ve watched plenty of Rocketboom (before Amanda left). So far, I haven’t become a big fan of vlogs. But I mean no disrespect. I’m fairly confident that vlogs will continue to attract audiences. How large and how loyal remains to be seen.
Unlike the copiers and many of the remixers, the vloggers are content creators — part of that vital 1 percent on which all else depends.
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