Veoh
Type of site | Video Distribution Website |
|---|---|
| Owner | Dmitry Shapiro, CEO |
| Created by | Users |
| URL | http://veoh.com/ |
| Registration | Free |
Veoh is a San Diego, California-based company that has created a peercasting network for video clip distribution.
Unlike other video distribution networks such as YouTube, the company distributes video clip content in its original format, rather than transcoding to a lower bandwidth and lower quality version. Due to this technology, a software download is required to download videos, or view some videos in full quality. The website also offers a YouTube-style Adobe Flash video player that can be run from within a web browser.
The company received media attention[citation needed] after Michael Eisner (ex-Disney chairman) joined the board. In April 2006, he was one of the investors (along with AOL Time-Warner) in the $12.5 million second round of financing for Veoh.
History
Veoh was founded in 2004 by Dmitry Shapiro. The company launched an early version of its distribution technology in September 2005 and debuted its full beta service in March 2006. Veoh officially launched (out of beta) in February 2007. Veoh has raised $15 million from venture capital and media investors. Time Warner, Michael Eisner’s Tornante Company, Spark Capital and Shelter Capital Partners are all major investors.[1]
In addition to the user generated content that Veoh broadcasts, Veoh has distributed content from media companies including Billboard, TNT Networks, the CW Network, New Line Cinema, Bennet Media, Paramount Pictures, US Weekly, TV Guide, and others. Independent creators found on Veoh include Doogtoons, Can We Do That?, Goodnight Burbank, and Dave and Tom.
Recently in June 2007, any video over 45 minutes would not be able to be streamed over the internet, instead it would have to be downloaded. Only a 5 minute streaming preview is available for long videos. Previously, this limit was 60 minutes.
Similar to other web video sites, content on Veoh includes copyrighted material. Veoh has yet to draw the attention of Hollywood as most of the focus to date in this area has been on bigger sites like YouTube, Google Video, and MySpace.[2]
Viewing options
Veoh offers two viewing options. The Veoh Player is a peer-to-peer based software application that enables higher quality viewing. Viewers can use a media center remote control with the Player, and connect it (through a PC) to their television. The Player is similar in concept to a digital video recorder. Videos from any website can be downloaded and saved for later viewing. An Internet connection is not required to watch videos saved to the Player. Viewers can also subscribe to RSS feeds, publishers, or channels, and automatically receive new content delivered directly to the Player. The Player can also download BitTorrent content.
Viewers can also watch streaming web video on Veoh.com without the need to download the Veoh Player. Although, somewhat like YouTube, Veoh.com has capped the streaming of videos over 45 minutes to the five minute previews. Veoh.com hosts a range of programming, from user generated content to studio content.
Publishing videos
Publishers can use their PC to upload videos for distribution. Veoh transcodes the video file so the video is available in the Veoh Player application, on Veoh.com, streamed on the publisher’s own web site, in portable devices like iPods and Sony PSP, and on viral video sites. Publishers are able to customize the presentation of their content, automatically publish via RSS feeds, organize video programming into episodic series or complete channels, and offer content for sale.
A free account upgrade to Pro status allows the publisher to access the syndication system, allowing their uploaded videos to be automatically transfered to Youtube, Google Video, or Myspace. Publishers can also see number of views, downloads, and comments from the other sites on their "My Videos" page.
Technology
Veoh uses both peer-to-peer (for its Player software application) and Adobe Flash-based streaming video (for its website) technologies. Veoh claims its use of peer-to-peer in the Player application enables distribution of longer form and higher quality video files at a much lower cost. It also means that bandwidth costs will not rise in direct proportion to the number of users.
Recommendations
Veoh’s recommendations engine is intended to enable viewers to find content that interests them. The recommendations engine was built by co-founder Dr. Ted Dunning, Chief Scientist for Veoh. Dr. Dunning also built the music management and recommendation system at Musicmatch (now Yahoo! Music). Veoh recommendations are based on user behavior. As users watch, rate, and download videos, the Veoh recommendation system ‘learns’ what interests the user and presents more video choices that meet similar criteria.
See also
References
- ^ Marshall Kirkpatrick (2007-02-12). "Veoh Relaunches Powerful Video Sharing Service". Retrieved 2007-04-25.
- ^ Greg Sandoval (2007-02-21). "A new copyright battlefield: Veoh Networks". Retrieved 2007-04-25.