Player:
-Adobe Flash
Strengths:
-Once it has initially buffered, the entire video usually plays out until the end with no breaks, with the exception of commercials.
-Allows the user to choose which resolution they wish to view the video.
-Allows for full screen, the dimming of the surrounding browser, sharing, and embedding of the video.
-Can show full TV show episodes.
-Uses less compression than Youtube
-Clean and minimalist user interface, making it easy to understand
Weaknesses:
-Short advertisement breaks. This could also be seen as a strength, however, as the advertisements are short.
-Limited by the television networks as to which shows are available and when
Internet Browsers: Internet Explorer 8, Firefox, and Chrome all function with Hulu correctly. In fact, Hulu was able to stream the same video to all three browsers at the same time without even a stutter in the video stream.
Youtube
Player:
-Adobe Flash
Strengths:
-Almost unlimited choice of short videos.
-Allows the user to choose which resolution they wish to view the video.
-Allows for fullscreen, expansion, embedding, and commenting on the video.
Weaknesses:
-Slower initial load time (comparative to Hulu)
-Continues to slow down slightly if the video is viewed while still loading
-Advertisement pop-ups on the video and around it.
-Busy and cluttered user interface, but since everyone knows how to use Youtube, this isn't an issue.
Internet Browsers: The same video viewed in Firefox and Chrome took slightly longer to load in Internet Explorer 8. However, it is hardly noteworthy as the delay was minuscule. Youtube functions the same in each of these three browsers.
Veoh
Player:
-Adobe Flash
Strengths:
-Quick buffer speed, allowing for pause-less viewing, with the exception of commercials.
-Streams well, and similar to Hulu, but not as appealing
-Short advertisements only at the beginning of the video
Weaknesses:
-Few viewing options
-Does not allow for resolution changes
-Cluttered and unappealing user interface
-Uninviting viewing experience
-Limited content options
Internet Browsers: Veoh operates correctly with Internet Explorer 8, Firefox, and Chrome.
Embedded Videos:
Hulu
Youtube
Veoh
Most video streaming websites have a few things that are standard. Embedding is one those things and almost all popular streaming sites have an easy to access code. This is true for Hulu, Youtube, and Veoh. Although it should be noted that Internet Explorer 8 has trouble with, or supporting, embedded videos on Blogger. This is not true for Firefox or Chrome as it operates correctly in these browsers.
