VeohTV Launches - Taking Direct Aim at Joost
Dmitry Shapiro CEO of Veoh invited me to a
GoToMeeting webinar today to unveil a serious challenger in the Web TV market. VeohTV
Beta, subtly billed as a "Joost Killer", is actually an amazing development in
online video viewing. The impetus for the Veoh TV service is characterized by a Veoh
slogan Dmitry related during the webinar: “Video Lives All Over the Web.”
This simple truth is demonstrated in the new VeohTV service’s approach to
aggregating and utilizing all types of video. VeohTV allows users access to virtually any
video with unparalleled functionality, quality and control from a very advanced viewing
interface.
VeohTV homepage
About Veoh
I originally reported on Veoh back in February and several times since, and I have always been impressed with Veoh's somewhat different platform as compared to the other video sharing sites. The service is a diverse suite for collecting, publishing and watching HD Quality video from a wide range of sources. These Veoh services, in combination with the Veoh player, essentially transform online video into a cinema experience for its users. Veoh started in 2004 out of the vision of CEO Dmitry Shapiro, and is backed by some of the most influential technology investors in the world; including Spark Capital, Michael Eisner’s Tornante Company, Time Warner Inc. and Shelter Capital Partners.
Open vs. Closed Systems
One of the paradigms of Web TV is revealed in comparing two distinct types of systems for utilizing video content. Joost has been something of a “poster child” and what many consider the best Internet TV service so far. Regardless of how we might be inspired by this fantastic innovation Joost is, as Dmitry described it, a “closed” system where programming and function are essentially static. Veoh’s assertion for Web TV is hardcore open source and a departure from the ideology that browser based applications are perfect for all services, and in that it provides a platform where programming is determined wholly by the user. Joost and other video services essentially attempt to utilize the browser, which is really poorly designed to support quality video.
Put simply, Joost is a finite system where excellent programming can be viewed and manipulated only to a slight degree, while the Veoh service I witnessed today allows users comparatively limitless and diversified choices. As an example let me to illustrate several features that differentiate a closed online TV service from an open one, and a very good application from a killer one.
|
Characteristics |
VeohTV |
Joost |
|
Source Agnostic |
Yes – Any Source |
No |
|
Format Agnostic |
Yes- Any Format |
No |
|
Bandwidth Mgmt. |
Yes |
No |
|
Disc Space Mgmt. |
Yes |
Unneeded – No Download |
|
Library Mgmt. |
Yes |
Unneeded – No Library |
|
Interactivity |
Yes |
Limited |
|
Remote Control |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Portability (Mobile) |
Yes |
No |
Advanced Features
Based on this preview of VeohTV users will experience superb performance from a single interface; where searching, browsing and viewing Internet content has been made radically simple. The downloadable VeohTV viewer essentially acts as a browser, but with video player efficiency and speed. After installation, VeohTV launches immediately into a cable TV type channel guide. Users are allowed to browse channels such as CBS, NBC, Road & Track and many others in a similar way they might on their TV sets. With the advanced interface, video is streamed either directly from the host site or delayed via a virtual DVR aspect (your PC is your DVR). A simple connect to an HD TV renders all content viewable remotely controllable on the big screen, and Veoh also has set top device integration deals on the horizon. Below is an expanded list of features:
Channels - Browse for content by channel
Search - Keyword search for relevance from literally thousands of websites
Favorites - Subscribe to content from favorite TV shows, channels and producers or download and store favorites
Recommended - Advanced recommendation engine suggests content from viewing habits and preferences
Interact Mode - Interact with dozens of widgets while viewing content. Services from Amazon, eBay, Gmail, Hotmail, Craigslist and Alexa are supported with others being added continually.
VeohTV Channel Interface
Management of Quality
This service is a great innovation and aggregation of much of what we have seen across several platforms so far this year. The VeohTV library utilizes drag-and-drop functionality to organize and create playlists. The download capability emulates a DVR function and can be set to automatically save preferred content. Essentially Veoh has created an individual TV station for every user, but with the tools to mix and mash content in just about any way they desire. I was particularly taken with the "interaction" mode because of the ability to multi-task; and Dmitry illustrated a cool aspect wherein a searched network could be followed with relevance via stock ticker or other widget in real time. Finally, the quality of the player and the HD content is quite excellent and video streams much more smoothly overall than during many of my visits to Joost. VeohTV is true cinema quality, full screen video with all the features of home entertainment.
Interactive Mode
Conclusion
Is it a Joost killer? Joost is an excellent company and I doubt they are quivering in fear, but they are going to have to do some "Matrix like" bullet dodging in my opinion. In comparing VeohTV to Joost there are a couple of areas where Joost still maintains an apparent advantage. Joost content is obviously excellent and the quality of broadcasts there is very stable, which illuminates one of VeohTV's only real weaknesses - the system is dependent on the quality of sometimes less than excellent online video. This is not problematic with content from NBC or other major networks, but the user's "hands on" filtering will determine a quality library. The ads were a major concern of mine and I found Joost to be an early leader in upscale and unobtrusive advertising. Dmitry reflected a rather perfect logic in response to this concern, in that VeohTV will be able to target ads that will be relevant to individual users and therefore inherently less obtrusive.
Dmitry's team has made an excellent innovation that seems to have left no stone unturned. The beta testing of this service will be very limited initially and you can sign up for an invitation here. We will also have a very limited number of invitations to test VeohTV in the very near future and we will keep you advised on developments.
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This is *very* interesting and very good for some balance in this emerging field of online television services. It will level some of the out-of-control hype that has been created around Joost.
Furthermore, this once again proves Read/WriteWeb to be one of the highest quality online publications in the field. Excellent!
I've never heard of these Veoh guys before today, but this is probably the dumbest waste of 40 million dollars I've ever seen. The idea that a crappy client will replace the browser as a platform for video is inane.
PS What's with the YourMinis integration in that thing? In case you're bored while watching a video, you can check your stock? Who the hell designed that hting.
"Regardless of how we might be inspired by this fantastic innovation Joost is"
I don't know how Joost has managed to pull off this publicity stunt. It is not an innovation at all, they are actually playing catchup with two existing Chinese services: PPLive and PPStream, which my computer scientist friends tell me are still far ahead in terms of the underlying technology.
I think what Veoh have some great things going. But I also think they are doing too much or at least too many things at the same time. They don't have a clear product, I don't know if I can explain what they do in 5 minutes. They somehow try to do EVERYTHING with video on the web and I think that's a big mistake.
And about the term "Joost killer", shouldn't we wait for Joost to be born first? ;)
/S
Dugg and stumbled, hope this makes it to the first page because the service is really as great as you describe it. :)
Over at Read/WriteWeb's sister blog, last100, I've posted my thoughts on VeohTV, picking up on Butler's reference to VeohTV's plans to get its software into a set-top-box:
...we're hearing more and more about software-based online TV solutions harbouring plans to get their services into a dedicated set-top-box, rather than relying on the PC. Joost has hinted at this direction, and recently we’ve reported on BitTorrent’s Software Developer Kit for set-top-boxes and other Internet devices, along with DivX’s work on a media streaming box. And let’s not forget Apple who have put a stripped down version of their desktop OS into the AppleTV so that it can act as a media extender for streaming iTunes content onto a TV, as well as, more recently, connect directly to YouTube.
There is also a community alternative for a Media Browser / Interactive Web TV platform like this that's called ToxTox (http://toxtox.tv). Rather than a commercial platform this is completely open source and fully expendable by the users in the Mozilla tradition (ie. like firefox, thunderbird, songbird and democracy). Users can easily create net innovative applications and create new TV experiences.
The uniqueness of the ToxTox concept is that everybody can create extensions that add new functionality to the platform; whether it's new content, p2p functionality, new protocols or even interact with custom hardware.
Very informative article, I loved this part:
"Put simply, Joost is a finite system where excellent programming can be viewed and manipulated only to a slight degree, while the Veoh service I witnessed today allows users comparatively limitless and diversified choices."
It is true. From my experience with Joost, it appears to be a closed (but good) platform. Something like VeohTV was inevitable.
Hi guys, Thanks for the input!
The point of Joost being an embryo is well taken, perhaps if VeohTV is present at that entities emergence they will spank the baby. :O)
There is a great deal of utility for this application that I was unable to iterate because of space and time constraints. Veoh is compliant with Bit Torrent already and I have not looked at Steve's reference yet but expect from what Dmitry told me that some set-top integration is a sure thing already. During our talk he was operating from a 60 inch plasma out of his gaming chair I think. LOL
As for Veoh doing a great many things at once, this is a concern of mine as well. However, I have watched Dmitry and Co. for some time and everything they attempt to add seems to really elevate their platform. Joost's biggest asset has been their public relations aspect. Their whole package has been very well orchestrated and so we have the media blitz over a substantial entry into WebTV. I think if Nikola Tesla had been availed such PR we would be talking via Souther Tesla or baking in Tesla ovens.
I will contact Dmitry so that we can have a closer look at the VeohTV beta soon.
Veoh has got money and contacts and great relationships with organizations like the UTA (United Talent Agency). But the downloadable player is a no-go and the service still hasn't found ways to support producers, so the site is filled with asian girls showing their T&A...not the site we all want it to be...
Really interesting to see how fast the online video/Internet TV space is evolving, the intensity of the competition and the march towards the inevitable marriage of online video and TV as we know it!
It's a race to the TV set-top box... place your bets.
Cheers,
Aidan
www.MappingTheWeb.com
Yeah Veoh soundz awesome* I think what too many of these people are doing is aligning themselves with the Big Boring Boys like NBC + Warner + Disney etc* One i love www.vbs.tv sums it up best - Rescuing U from Televisions Deathlike grip*
;))
The internet has always been about finding new + interesting stuff not the boring pap they've force fed the masses*
One thing U brought up that i think is excellent is that the Browser is not Best for the current Hog that Video is* Is this kinda like a Adobe Apollo AIR desktop Viewer??
good post.
I think Joost is still going to be my preferred. I don't want to search through tons of trash to find primetime tv I want to watch. I'm not interested in short youtube clips.
Thanks guys, this was a fun innovation to write about.
BTW the Veoh search and favorites engine precludes most of the need to look very far for suitable video. Not only does it suggest, but also allows for specific networks/shows to be pre-recorded so what you like is there when you want it.
It also allows you to conserve hard disc space so the drives are not gobbled up with unwanted video.
Dmitry also provided us with a link to virtually the same demo I saw here: http://www.veoh.com/static/demo/veohTVdemo.html
Check it out when you get time.
Joost vs VeohTV p2p vs torrents ? They promise a lot of things that can be made but nothing is practical , nothing works (really works) Veoh lost many users who wants streaming video over an hour Joost not works( but is ok cause is always on beta mode) VeohTV said that will be controtable well why my WinLIRC don't work (Joost too) all these software(players) is just a c++ application ...
well I prefer watch DVB-S on HDTV ...