The World Wide Web can be a challenging place to wade through, what with the age of Web 2.0. Yesterday’s Internet was all about advertising, giving information, and showcasing design talent. Today’s Internet is all about interaction, free speech, and creating a virtual world through games and programs. Web 2.0 has also brought the use of Internet videos to the fore, whether people use videos to express themselves, show off their cinematography and directing talents, or even sell a product.

Internet videos can be offered in different formats.

•    Streaming video entails that the Internet video viewer watch the video by accessing it from the video source site. This keeps them from downloading the video and disseminating it, but it can work only for those with fast Internet connections. The availability of streaming video is also limited by the source site’s bandwidth and the number of people accessing the video at the same time.

•    An Internet video may be downloaded to one’s computer, either through a source site, or through the assistance of a peer-to-peer program. Downloading is often more advantageous to users with slow Internet connections, as it can save them the hassle of having to watch a streaming video in parts. Downloaded videos will also often be of higher quality than streaming videos, and they can be viewed at the user’s own convenience.

•    Instead of offering videos in media player formats, some creators opt to transfer the video to a smaller format, such as Flash or GIF, turning it into an animation file. Such files can be viewed through the browser, and will take a much shorter time to download. They can be of lower quality, however, and will show only parts of the original video.

If you are interested in viewing Internet videos, then examine the speed of your Internet connection and see if viewing them is a viable option for you. You may also need to check your budget: not all Internet videos are offered for free, and those that are free will often be of low quality. If you need an Internet video of very high quality, such as a lecture on the scientific method that you may want to show to your secondary school students, or footage of a debate in Congress or Parliament that you may want to analyze, examine, and listen to, word-for-word, then be prepared to pay a fee.

Web 2.0 can also allow you to shoot your own Internet videos. If you are interested in shooting and uploading Internet videos, then examine the following aspects of amateur Internet video production.

•    Different media formats will also translate into different video quality. See which media format you would most like to work with, or one that you are most comfortable with working. If you know the advantages and disadvantages of using a certain media format, then you can tailor your shoot, lighting, and sound to come up with the best video possible.

•    Have a script ready, or know your interviewees beforehand, so that you can keep the duration of your Internet video to a minimum. The shorter your video, the easier it can be downloaded. If you can tailor your message to be short and strong, then you can attract more web users. The Internet, after all, is a busy marketplace: if you can catch attention in mere seconds, then you have yourself a viewer, customer, or fan.

•    If you can afford it, hire a professional video editor. Poorly edited videos can be painful to watch, and your Internet video may end up being ignored. Create a state of the art Internet video with the tools available to you, and you can earn the admiration of those who will watch it.

•    When choosing a site to which you can upload your video, select the one that can allow viewers to comment on your work or contact you for more information. A comments box or suggestions page may open you to criticism, so be prepared to take it all in stride. You may actually get useful feedback that will help you improve on your Internet video shooting, directing, and creating skills.

Internet videos are not only a means to sell or express, but a way to practice your skills in the visual and film arts. Web 2.0 has allowed the artists and directors in all of us to emerge, so join the revolution and make a name for yourself online. With the right tools and know-how, you may find yourself the king of your own Internet world soon enough.

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