Great implementation. I had the same exact idea for a while, but I didn't really have a feeling for it.
Suggestion: Run commercials during the 20-30 seconds in between videos (while users are voting).
Show HN: Launching my Realtime Social Video Startup
41–50 of 51 posts
Re: Show HN: Launching my Realtime Social Video Startup
#42I see potential in this. It's almost like walking into a room full of people all watching one TV. There's appeal to that; online video does have the watch-whatever-you-want feature, but a lot of times people just want to turn on a TV channel and watch whatever comes on. If you really want to make this a startup, you should make it exactly that. Take control over the public rooms, feed them with quality content, and c…
My thinking behind this was indeed to somehow bring a TV feel to the web.
But I am actually leaning towards adding even more interactive features to the site. We already have TV. And Youtube and other sites are already moving in the direction of what you describe(eg. Youtube "leanback").
I believe that this is the wrong approach. The web makes it possible for viewers to interact in new ways, and I think that there is a lot of potential here. I believe that the future of TV-like entertainment will be something that is very interactive/social and game-like. People have already suggested that I add to this site points and game like features, which I plan on doing, among many other interative features.
Also, I have even more long-term plans for expanding beyond video, but that is for another comment :)
Thanks for the input!
Re: Show HN: Launching my Realtime Social Video Startup
#43Hey guys, I've been reading HN for a long time (since before it was called HN). I rarely comment or submit to HN, but I am really proud to finally submit my site here. Would appreciate any feedback you have! Thanks
Very cool, I registered. How does this differ from jtv? In addition, needs voting for room members for next video, or to change video. Is that implemented and I just missed it? Otherwise it's just... the Internet on rails. Could be very cool, needs some/a lot of aesthetic polish and features that make it actually social besides a chatroom and a "tweet this" button (ESPN has "tweet this" buttons as well as chatrooms w…
jtv is similar but is for live video only. also, i plan on adding a lot more interactive features to the site.
Right now all of the users in the room are able to vote for the next video. I hope this clarifies things. Several people have suggested adding a way for the room to collectively decide to "skip video" which is a good idea that I am considering.
Your idea for clicking a bookmarklet and spinning up a video room is good, but it might detract from the main focus of the site now (and there are actually sites that exist that already do this).
Thanks!
Re: Show HN: Launching my Realtime Social Video Startup
#44A fantastic simple idea. Video interaction is brilliant through gaming add-on. 3 comments: 1) Find a way to MAINTAIN gaming during the video (e.g. live comments adds of people in the room to the images?). That's because right now its fun to vote every 1:30minutes but then kind of boring to watch.. Althrough I stayed 3X more than initially planned ;-) This would allow maintaing people on site too since many people lef…
Thanks, these are great comments.
1) Yes, this is something I am thinking hard about.
2) Yes, points and gaming like features with player rankings are key here. I would be very happy to hear about more specific thoughts or suggestions.
3) I am not yet thinking too much about monetization, but there are definitely a lot of interesting opportunities. Your idea here is something I will keep in mind!
Thanks!
Re: Show HN: Launching my Realtime Social Video Startup
#45I like the concept. It's sort of like watching TV with a bunch of friends. Interactive voting on the next video is very cool. But, here's your biggest challenge: This concept doesn't work without a bunch of users showing up at the same time. Tomorrow, when this is off the front page of HN, how do you plan to get people to come back? If you can solve that, you've got something.
In a perfect world, people will like the site, and return to it, and maybe spread the word to their friends :)
I also have some ideas for integrating game-like features which would introduce viral elements to the site.
I would love to hear more ideas for getting traffic!
Re: Show HN: Launching my Realtime Social Video Startup
#46I see potential in this. It's almost like walking into a room full of people all watching one TV. There's appeal to that; online video does have the watch-whatever-you-want feature, but a lot of times people just want to turn on a TV channel and watch whatever comes on. If you really want to make this a startup, you should make it exactly that. Take control over the public rooms, feed them with quality content, and c…
My thinking behind this was indeed to somehow bring a TV feel to the web. But I am actually leaning towards adding even more interactive features to the site. We already have TV. And Youtube and other sites are already moving in the direction of what you describe(eg. Youtube "leanback"). I believe that this is the wrong approach. The web makes it possible for viewers to interact in new ways, and I think that there is…
Yes, "TV internet" and interactive game-like features are two different markets.
I agree that the web provides new possibilities of interaction. But I still think there's a big market for TV-like streaming; a lot of people just want to sit back and watch something they find interesting. And no website on the internet has got it right yet. I can imagine people logging into your website via facebook, and seeing a list of channels that their friends are currently watching.
I'm not saying you shouldn't add any game-like features. I just think they're a distraction from what you already have. After all, content is king when it comes to these sorts of services. I think you should focus on that before game mechanics, since content will be what attracts users the most.
On the other hand, this is just an opinion of some guy on the internet :)
Re: Show HN: Launching my Realtime Social Video Startup
#47Fun! Here's an idea for you to consider for getting money out of it: display the two choices "coming up" and accept person betting either on one or the other. Don't show how many people placed a bet. When the choice is done - the part that won takes the bets of those who lost. If a draw - like "zero", the house takes all the bets and makes a random choice. "Make money while watching TV" - could be an appealing taglin…
Unfortunately, the cost of maintaining a gaming license in an appropriate jurisdiction is likely to outweigh the revenue stream from such an enterprise.
Good point. "A reward for determining the most liked of the two movies" probably would not fly.
Re: Show HN: Launching my Realtime Social Video Startup
#48I can't find where to put it into full screen. That part really annoys me.
Re: Show HN: Launching my Realtime Social Video Startup
#49Repeat after me: A website is not a startup. It's bad enough that everyone with half a business idea calls it a startup, but now everyone with half a website prototype is joining in.
What is a startup?
Re: Show HN: Launching my Realtime Social Video Startup
#50This very cool. One application I can see for this is for viewing video together with someone across great distances like the example you talk about - maybe even in a long-distance relationship. Can you move beyond using YouTube or is the tech based on some of the features exposed by the YouTube API?