OurStage - Platform for Live Performances
OurStage is only for music performers right now, which is severly limiting because I'm sure there are lots of great acts deserving of attention, and a mainstream platform like this could really takeoff for such performers that can't be so easily grouped in Ourstage's selection of performer categories centering around music. Not only is this a site for performers, but for users to pick up on new music - artists not signed to labels. The site also offer embedding of performances, an example here:
The Overall Ratings for OurStage:
Show Diversity: (3/5)
Based on the mixture of television shows available on the site.
Loading Speed: (5/5)
The time taken to navigate the site and load videos.
Ease of Navigation: (4/5)
How easy is it to use and navigate.
Advertisements: (2/5)
(Annoying flash ads at top)Based on the annoyance level of advertisements on this site, the amount of ads, and the volatility of ads appearing on the page.
The lower the rating, the less annoying the ads are.
Total Score: 15/20
OurStage is an interesting twist on the video startup industry, focusing mostly on the performance rather then the artist, as we have seen in sites like Myspace Bands. The site's ajaxy navigation plays well in that it makes it easier to use and watch videos without having to load up lots of pages over again, and the videos load fairly quickly. The video player closely resmbles the YouTube player, which has become a standard now, but the site suffers from some small problems - mostly that it's too limited to music performers, and leaves out other performing arts such as dance, and other varied art forms that could use mainstream attention. Overall the site is worth checking out, as there's quite a decent amount of unsigned and interesting music for all tastes.
http://www.ourstage.com
Labels: bands video, music artists, music videos, tv links
Trip Films - Travel Inspired Videos
The site is a clever idea that actually executes quite well. The one problem is that the ads appear during the video, which are not only annoying but obstruct text being shown in that area. A lot of videos have smallish text shown near the bottom and the ads overlap it and make it difficult to read, but ofcourse there's a little x to close the ads but most will probably not notice it and think there is no way to close it. Another problem is there seems to be no moderation, so a lot of the videos look to be highly promotional for some random hotel which is using the site to advertise itself as the best.
The Overall Ratings for Trip Films:
Show Diversity: (3/5)
Based on the mixture of television shows available on the site.
Loading Speed: (3/5)
The time taken to navigate the site and load videos.
Ease of Navigation: (3/5)
How easy is it to use and navigate.
Advertisements: (3/5)
(Ads during the actual Videos)Based on the annoyance level of advertisements on this site, the amount of ads, and the volatility of ads appearing on the page.
The lower the rating, the less annoying the ads are.
Total Score: 14/20
Trip Films is an interesting take on the travel industry, it earns extra points for the fact that there are no real competitors in travel themed video sites. But the site leaves you wanting more, more not form the site but more as in better videos. Many of the videos are promotional in nature, and this is a result of either a lack of moderation of the videos or clearly a deal with runners of hotels and resorts who are using the service to promote their services. It's an interesting site for those who like to travel, to check out places that you may want to go to or stay at - but it definately could be better.
http://www.tripfilms.com
Labels: travel, trip, tv links, vacation videos, video site
TVDash Movies
TV Dash is a yet another movie streaming site offering movies, the site is rather clean and ads were minimal. While the site also offers tv shows, I'd say that it's not worth visiting for tv shows as they have about 6 tv shows they cover, and they're not exactly all encompassing (never heard of Peep Show?). They have a rather small list of movies, possibly under 100 - which isn't bad because I'd assume it's easier to manage and possibly more of a chance that they're all alive.
All the movies are hosted on MegaVideo, some of them seem to have audio syncing problems which devoids the whole point of watching a movie if you hear the audio first and then the actual picture. But it's a pretty decent site for all things considered. The selection isn't the best, but at least it works.
The Overall Ratings TV Dash:
Show Diversity: (3/5)
Based on the mixture of television shows available on the site.
Loading Speed: (3/5)
The time taken to navigate the site and load videos.
Ease of Navigation: (3/5)
How easy is it to use and navigate.
Advertisements: (1/5)
Based on the annoyance level of advertisements on this site, the amount of ads, and the volatility of ads appearing on the page.
The lower the rating, the less annoying the ads are.
Total Score: 15/20
TV Dash is worth visiting but the movie selection is a bit too little. The majority of movies on there are pretty fairly regular and can be found on nearly any site of this nature. Movies have some audio syncing problems, but hey it's not all the movies - so you can surely find something worth watching.
All the movies are hosted on MegaVideo, some of them seem to have audio syncing problems which devoids the whole point of watching a movie if you hear the audio first and then the actual picture. But it's a pretty decent site for all things considered. The selection isn't the best, but at least it works.
The Overall Ratings TV Dash:
Show Diversity: (3/5)
Based on the mixture of television shows available on the site.
Loading Speed: (3/5)
The time taken to navigate the site and load videos.
Ease of Navigation: (3/5)
How easy is it to use and navigate.
Advertisements: (1/5)
Based on the annoyance level of advertisements on this site, the amount of ads, and the volatility of ads appearing on the page.
The lower the rating, the less annoying the ads are.
Total Score: 15/20
TV Dash is worth visiting but the movie selection is a bit too little. The majority of movies on there are pretty fairly regular and can be found on nearly any site of this nature. Movies have some audio syncing problems, but hey it's not all the movies - so you can surely find something worth watching.
http://www.tvdash.com
Snag Films - Legal Documentaries
Snag Films is yet another streaming movie site, only Snag Films differs by being one of the few legal sites in this industry. They focus specifically on documentaries and have a wide selection from different film labels, many of which you've probably heard of and know. The most popular at the time was Super Size Me, a popular slightly older recent film about the fast food industry and unhealthiness of such places.
Snag Films is fairly clean of ads, but the videos are prefixed with an ad and while it's not that much of a chore to sit through - the loading time after that to start the video is fairly lengthy and can be quite annoying. The site is actually quite a neat idea, directors can give their movies up for more publicity on the site and in return they can get donations and publicity from the viewing of it. There isn't a great deal of major documentaries on here, but the variety is splendid and there is something for everyone assuming you don't mind waiting through ads and enjoy documentaries (who doesn't?)
Certain documentaries, a good deal, are limited to certain countries - specifically the US. So if you're outside of the US this service may not be the best option for you. However for those in the US, this is an absolutely delightful site to have in hand - that goes in great compliment to Hulu's offerings of older regular movies and recent episodes of television shows.
The Overall Ratings for Snag Films:
Show Diversity: (4/5)
Based on the mixture of television shows available on the site.
Loading Speed: (2/5)
The time taken to navigate the site and load videos.
Ease of Navigation: (4/5)
How easy is it to use and navigate.
Advertisements: (2/5) (in video ads are fairly annoying)
Based on the annoyance level of advertisements on this site, the amount of ads, and the volatility of ads appearing on the page.
The lower the rating, the less annoying the ads are.
Total Score: 17/20
Snag Films is worth checking out if you're based in the United States, the legality and simplicity of the site lends well to your viewing experience. But at the same time embedded ads within the video are little annoying, but everything still remains fairly watchable. The annoyance of sitting through a couple ads, is no reason to avoid this site as it offers up a nice stable and reliable place to catch some slightly older but still relevant documentaries.
Snag Films is fairly clean of ads, but the videos are prefixed with an ad and while it's not that much of a chore to sit through - the loading time after that to start the video is fairly lengthy and can be quite annoying. The site is actually quite a neat idea, directors can give their movies up for more publicity on the site and in return they can get donations and publicity from the viewing of it. There isn't a great deal of major documentaries on here, but the variety is splendid and there is something for everyone assuming you don't mind waiting through ads and enjoy documentaries (who doesn't?)
Certain documentaries, a good deal, are limited to certain countries - specifically the US. So if you're outside of the US this service may not be the best option for you. However for those in the US, this is an absolutely delightful site to have in hand - that goes in great compliment to Hulu's offerings of older regular movies and recent episodes of television shows.
The Overall Ratings for Snag Films:
Show Diversity: (4/5)
Based on the mixture of television shows available on the site.
Loading Speed: (2/5)
The time taken to navigate the site and load videos.
Ease of Navigation: (4/5)
How easy is it to use and navigate.
Advertisements: (2/5)
(in video ads are fairly annoying)Based on the annoyance level of advertisements on this site, the amount of ads, and the volatility of ads appearing on the page.
The lower the rating, the less annoying the ads are.
Total Score: 17/20
Snag Films is worth checking out if you're based in the United States, the legality and simplicity of the site lends well to your viewing experience. But at the same time embedded ads within the video are little annoying, but everything still remains fairly watchable. The annoyance of sitting through a couple ads, is no reason to avoid this site as it offers up a nice stable and reliable place to catch some slightly older but still relevant documentaries.
http://www.snagfilms.com
Labels: documentaries, legal, movies
