YouTube Makes Annotating Videos Easier
YouTube first introduced annotations last June, but starting today, Google's popular video sharing site is making it even easier to add text comments into your own videos. Whereas before you had to go into a relatively complicated annotations editor to add your comments, you can now just click on a spot in the video during playback and the annotations editor will open automatically. Google has also made it significantly easier to add links to other content on YouTube into your annotations.
Now, when you watch your own videos on YouTube, a crosshair appears on the screen and you can start adding annotations by simply clicking anywhere on the video without having to go into the annotations editor.
The new linking options inside the comments now allow you to point to another video, channel page, playlist, group, or search query. You will not be able to link to content outside of YouTube, however. The YouTube team also highlights the possibility of linking to a video response page to gather feedback from your audience.
Is This a Good Thing?
The question, of course, is if this is actually a good thing. Too often, users already overuse the annotations to advertise some of their other videos or to remind us that the video is also available in HD (a note that also pops up when you are already watching the video in HD, by the way). Even Google seems to be aware of this, as they provide a help page with instructions for how to turn these annotations off for embedded videos.
Omnisio
We can only assume that this is the first part of the integration of Omnisio's technology into the core YouTube service. Google acquired Omnisio last July, though it is important to note that the service did a lot more than just video annotations.
Share
Comments
Subscribe to comments for this post OR Subscribe to comments for all ReadWriteWeb posts
I like this feature, but with anything online I can see it being abused. There's a learning curve, so hopefully after a few months we won't have to worry about annotations abuse.
I think it's a great feature that will be used when there is a reason to do so. Most people will more than likely get their entire message across in their movie, but where others are seeking a richer experience it makes a lot of sense.
Here are some great examples of annotations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPQ1XrllZmA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeH4sXraeoE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omhB_392FUs
There are an increasing number of examples with rich annotations in youtube clips. In the 80's and 90's several experiments with story options controlled by the audience failed due to costs. Now everyone can create an interactive story as easy as this one i made
The option; no doubt is good one. But don't you think the button to turn off the annotations must accessible at one click?
Been wondering if this is a good thing or not. The jury is out.
Posted by: Kevin
|
January 30, 2009 9:18 AM
Hi All,
I just got into video and I love the wqay Youtube has upgraded itself! Maybe it took a survey or something but this is just what would make it easier for people to edit video.
All the best!
Regards,
Erwin Chua
IM Entrepreneur
http://winning2win.com
trust me..u made it look good..i've seen so many ppl commenting on the official Youtube annotation post..they just hate it..
great job...