Comments on: Why I Hate Live Video (User Generated)

By: Andrew Hyde

Andrew Hyde — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 02:27:35 +0000

@Jay as I said “I donâ€™t like Live Video on Cellphones in general and as a startup play” and after using it quite a bit, I still feel this way.

It is solving a problem that isn’t there, but can be used in amazing ways. Not for me, and I explained why.

Perhaps this is what you meant? http://tinyurl.com/2q9j9y

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:33:50 +0000

I feel that the logic behind Andrew’s statements made above shows complete ignorance for the use of emerging technologies… When approached appropriately live streaming video to the Internet can produce compelling and relatively high quality content (Check out iClips.net or the AT&T Blueroom). I am surprised that someone with such entrepreneurial spirit can simply write off something as useful as these services. While uStream and the like offer anybody on the Internet a peek into others’ daily lives, I agree may not be “interesting” content. However, this should certainly not be used as an example of the usefulness of live video streaming (for that matter nor should the use of a cell phone for streaming be used as an example). In my opinion, which is apparently what this blog is about (simple opinions not founded in facts), you should consider doing more research before creating blanket observations and stereotypes thus making yourself appear simply uneducated in the ways of the world.

By: Startup Weekend » Blog Archive » New Model a Hit

Startup Weekend » Blog Archive » New Model a Hit — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:58:32 +0000

[...] amazing conversation, which built up because there was interaction happening at home (contradicting my dislike of live video). It was very cool seeing the interaction of the at home [...]

By: User Generated Dinner Conversation

User Generated Dinner Conversation — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:51:07 +0000

[...] you can see from this video, Andrew believes that user generated live video is before its time and something that will never take off. [...]

By: Zach Hale

Zach Hale — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:34:44 +0000

I completely agree though your friend does have a bit of a point in that video there that there is no demand because people don’t see it as a viable solution yet.

But really, who cares? People who are interested in observing others’ lives. And surprisingly a *lot* of people enjoy this. You can see this from the complete boom of reality TV shows which are, in essence, just live streaming of peoples lives. Yes, you did specify that you wish for people do respect viewers’ time and edit it down. While that makes a lot of sense if what you’re doing is actually solving a need other than ambient entertainment, what live streaming solves is a need that post production does little to add to compared to the amount of time and effort it takes.

Your argument, though, is that live video on cell phones is dumb. While I am not personally interested in watching such footage, lots of people are. It’s all about bringing this live aspect that you see on peoples home webcams on other services to something a little more engaging and interesting to watch.

I do think it’s stupid though and I never plan on getting involved in such activities, but I do see a place for it in the grand scheme of things. I would rather watch something produced, but that I feel is a whole different type of entertainment with a (subtly) different audience.