Does Size Really Matter?

February 20th, 2009 • by Samuel Agboola • 2 comments

One of the last decisions we’re making as we prepare Vooji for public consumptions is how large to make our video files. Like everyone since YouTube we’re using Adobe Flash to deliver our video, but unlike most we have a little space to be creative.

For years video sites have been more concerned with how much space they’d need to store files, and the ability of their users to download them, than picture quality. Storage is cheaper every day and, as Vooji’s video clips will all be two minutes or less, we can guarantee that even the largest files will download and play in seconds to anyone with a broadband web connection.

Thanks to that, and because we’re starting from scratch, we can deliver video that looks as good as regular TV. The question is should we?

I know I’d be swayed by smooth, crisp, block-free video – especially in a dating context – but would you? Would you wait a few seconds more for quality, or are you happier with cubist renderings (as found everywhere) delivered slightly faster? As there’s no way to make the best stuff as quick to deliver as the crappy stuff it’s a zero-sum game.

All those with dial-up modems, Pentium processors, or strong opinions speak now (or forever hold your peace).

2 comments
  • Riley Ray • February 20th, 2009

    I mean it all depends on the webcams involved doesn’t it? Mine is okay but it’s not amazing. My guess is that it’s going to be youtubeish in quality no matter what – am I wrong?

    Although if there’s some sort of treating process – glamour lighting or some such thing – that you can apply POST recording, I think that would be a value add for the ladies.

    RR-
  • Samuel Agboola • February 20th, 2009

    @Riley – The quality of your cam is one thing, the compression used is another. YouTube has pretty awful quality. We’re going to be considerably better than that (I’m not talking about their HD stuff – that’s pretty slick).

    Post processing is an option in future, but switching the lights on and making sure your camera can focus are far more likely to up your quality than any digital magic. Tips on recording decent web-video will be part of what we do.

Leave a comment