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Video Resolution to Get Worse Before Better

old-cam.jpgWe're all getting used to crappy video online. It may stream quickly, but it's a pixelated as Atari's original Space Invaders.

Will this improve soon? Not for the most part. Sure some of us will upgrade to higher end pro-sumer video cameras ($3000-$10,000). And broadband will allow for higher file-size uplpoads than the typical 100 meg cap. But the vast majority of us will start using our video-enabled cell phones to capture a lot of spontanious, viral videos. So in aggregate, the videos of 2007 will be even uglier than 2006.

Bandwidth isn't yet an issue online, but keep in mind that Japan's wireless broadband is signficantly faster than what you're using now to connect at home. There won't be an incentive for cell providers in the U.S. to bring us high definition video cameras because nobody will want to spend 5-10 minutes sending their video clips to their buddy. So until cell phone pipes expand in the U.S., we're going to be stuck with grainy footage for a while.

The high-end sites will boast broadcast-like quality video, but the vast majority of consumer-generated video will look worst next year. Let's hope that I'm wrong or that someone's creating a software to enhance videos.

… Like in the movies when they turn a 10-pixel image of some guy at his desk into a "Kodak clear" image, in which you can read the legal print on the memo on his desk. Does that bother anyone else, or am I just a geek (don't feel obliged to answer that)?

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4 Comments

  1. When I’m watching videos from YouTube or Google Video, then I don’t really expect a quality picture. However, if people start capturing/uploading vids with their cell phones, I would definitely draw the line.

    Oh, and as for the part about the unbelievable enhancements done to photos in movies — that drives me nuts too!

  2. The other problem is the video hosting service itself.

    You can upload a high-res video to Google Video or YouTube but the service will automatically convert it to a 320×240 resolution.

    It’s impossible to read the text content at that resolution unless it’s done is 26 px size.

  3. If I’m exporting a video from final cut pro that I want to get best resolution on u tube. What is the best way to export it to keep the file size under 100 meg but deliver the best possible resolution…..regardless of how u tube

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