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Review of Moving Image Search Engines
Last updated: 17 March 2008
Published in:
Finding and using digital media
Tags:
business & community engagement |
finding moving images |
search engines |
video
Summary
This paper forms part of a series of JISC Digital Media review papers which look at how a range of resources can be found on the Web using search engines. In particular, this paper will look at how search engines can be used to locate moving image files (videos).
March 2008
- Introduction
- Evaluation criteria and test search terms
- Moving image search engine reviews
- Conclusion
1. Introduction
JISC Digital Media also provides a Review of Image Search Engines and a Review of Audio Search Engines.
It should be stressed that an exhaustive review of all moving image search engines was not carried out. The reviews were undertaken on a number of the most popular and widely used search engines. You should also be aware that the comments made in this paper are by their nature subjective. You will need to use your own judgement when selecting which search engines to use and in evaluating any results that are returned.
It should be noted that not all the content (particularly high resolution content) is made available free of charge. You will need to check the availability of high resolution content and any pricing policy for each Web site you visit.
2. Evaluation criteria and test search terms
In reviewing moving image search engines it is helpful to use an evaluation criteria and a standard set of search terms. Although the exercise is still subjective, these criteria will offer some basis for comparison. Readers familiar with other JISC Digital Media search engine reviews should note that different search terms were used for this review.
This review was undertaken during February and March 2008. If you are reading this some time after that those dates, you are advised to check the sites carefully and to ask the kinds of questions JISC Digital Media has included in its evaluation criteria (below).
Evaluation CriteriaIn reviewing moving image search engines, JISC Digital Media asked the following questions: |
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| Search Options |
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| Performance |
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| Presentation |
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| Support |
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Overall evaluationIn the reviews that follow, JISC Digital Media has used the phrases “Poor”, “Average”, “Good” and “Very good” to provide an overall evaluation for each of the criteria listed above. These are based on a comparison of all the engines being reviewed and mean the following: |
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| Very good | Among the best for this criteria |
| Good | Better than average, but not outstanding, for this criteria |
| Average | Mid-range for this criteria |
| Poor | Below average for this criteria |
Test Search TermsJISC Digital Media tested the moving image search engines using the following terms: |
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| Category | Terms and phrases | Rationale |
| General search terms |
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General and unambiguous terms |
| Specific search terms |
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Scientific name to test the indexing and an episode in history to test scope, relevancy using different expressions |
| Ambiguous search terms |
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To test the weighting of the indexes |
| Specific moving image content |
The above link is to a video produced by the JISC Legal Information Service and which provides information about copyright and e-learning to the further education community. |
To test the comprehensiveness and currency of coverage. The JISC produces large amounts of content on a wide range of topics. This search is designed to find a particular resource provided by one the JISC Advisory Services. |
3. Moving image search engine reviews
Reviews are presented here in alphabetical order.
AlltheWeb
The AlltheWeb index is owned and provided by Yahoo! Multimedia searches are made against millions of multimedia files.
| Criteria | Overall Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Search Options | Good | Advanced searches can be undertaken across a number of formats including AVI, AVI/DivX, MPEG, Real and Quicktime. You can also choose to search for all formats. In addition you can limit the search to streams or downloads or choose to search for both. The user can set preferences which includes the use of an adult content filter, the amount of results that are listed per page and the size of font used for text. Once your initial search has taken place you are then able to make refinements by searching only on the returns. |
| Performance | Average | The search returns are produced very quickly and at first sight comprehensive results are achieved. That said the user is only able to access the first 1000 of the returns. In terms of relevancy the returns were very good. The quality of the images was sufficient for viewing in smaller screens but not for full screen. A number of resources were returned with broken links and there was a certain amount of duplication included. |
| Presentation | Poor | The results are returned in a listed format. The thumbnails are listed on the left hand side of the screen. The title of the video, the length of the clip and the file format follow this. During testing the thumbnail image did not appear for any returns. Each return included the message ‘Thumbnail not available’. When a video is opened it does so at the site where it was originally uploaded. During testing it was noted that some material that was included on the pages of the original sites was not subject to adult content filtering and might not therefore be suitable for all audiences. This means that the ‘Alltheweb’ adult content filter does not extend to the content provided on sites it directs its users to. Moreover, clicking on the link to the video did not always open the video directly but simply link to the original site. A search of the original site was then necessary to find the desired content. The site contains information about copyright under United States law and in particular the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. While the Alltheweb search page is clean and free of advertising a number of original sites contain a lot of advertising material including flash animations placed next to the video viewing screen. This can detract from the viewing experience. |
| Support | Average | The help section includes links to a number of FAQs. There is the facility to contact via email but this is not to ask for help but to report such things as bugs, spam or offensive content. |
| Specific moving image content | Average | Related items were found when using the phrase only. The complete video was not returned. |
AltaVista Video Search
http://www.altavista.com/video/
Altavista searches by crawling the Web for videos; a number of which might be provided by paying partners. In addition, extended search links are provided by Overture Services (a subsidiary company of Yahoo!). This includes ‘Sponsor Results’ which are search results from sites that pay for placement in search results.
| Criteria | Overall Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Search Options | Good | Searching can be limited to or expanded to include the following formats – MPEG, AVI, Quicktime, Windows Media, Real, Flash or Other. You are able to search on the duration of videos and choose whether to search the whole of the Web or limit the search to Altavista’s partner sites.There is a ‘family filter’ option which can be password protected. |
| Performance | Average | Results are quickly returned and were relatively high in number. The relevancy to the search terms was patchy with very relevant videos sitting alongside videos that had no relevance. Although relatively large numbers of results were returned the user is only able to access the first 1000 or so of them. The quality of the video images was fine when viewed in smaller screen sizes. The picture quality suffered badly when the videos were viewed in full screen. A number of video clips returned were duplicated making the actual number of ‘original’ returns fewer than indicated. A number of broken links also existed in the returns. |
| Presentation | Good | Search results are returned as thumbnails in a 4 by 5 grid. You can choose to view between 10 and 50 thumbnails per page. Under each thumbnail is the title of the video along with information about the length of the clip. Clicking the ‘more info’ button reveals additional information including file size, sample size, frame rate and format. It also provides a link to the site where the video was originally found. A ‘terms of use’ section makes it clear that all the content provided is subject to UK and international copyright laws. Content may be used for individual, non-commercial use. Further information is supplied with regard to the commercial use of the content.The site contains advertising information including links to a number of commercial sites. However, the advertising does not overwhelm the screen and so does not interfere unduly with the users experience. |
| Support | Good | There is a link to a help button which provides information on a range of FAQs. There is also the option of contacting Altavista by email to submit specific questions. |
| Specific moving image content | Average | Related items were found when using the phrase only. The identified video was not returned. |
AOL Video
AOL provides access to ‘millions of free, high quality videos including music videos, news clips, movie trailers, viral videos, and full-length TV shows’. The videos it is said are provided from a wide range of sources including AOL, Yahoo!, Google, YouTube, My Space, Veoh, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, ESPN, MSN, Crackle, iFilm, Stupid Videos, MTV, Comedy Central, VH1 and Walt Disney. The video search function is powered by Truveo which is a subsidiary of AOL.
| Criteria | Overall Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Search Options | Poor | While users are only able to use a basic search they are able to browse content by categories which include ‘most viewed’ and ‘highest rated’. It is not clear if an adult content filter is available. The site map provides an alphabetical list of the genres that users click and then can browse or search that particular category. |
| Performance | Average | The return results were relatively high and returned very quickly. Testing showed that the user is only able to access the first 1000 videos that are returned. While the returns included relevant videos there was also quite a lot of content that bore little or no resemblance to them. The quality of the videos was relatively low and became very blocky when viewed in full screen. |
| Presentation | Good | The returns are presented as thumbnails in a grid, list or a list without thumbnails. Beside each thumbnail is information about the video. That is the name of the video, the channel it came from (BBC, YouTube or MTV for example), its category (news, music, sport and so on), its rating, how many times it has been viewed and its duration. Users can filter the returns in interesting and useful ways. The entire amount of returns (up to the 1000 limit) can be browsed in the usual way. However, users can choose to view only those videos which are AOL videos or they can choose to view videos from particular channels. This is made easy by the fact the all the returns are grouped into the individual channels. The channels are listed with the amount of relevant videos displayed. Users simply click on the channel name to view all the videos that it has made available. This means that users can avoid having to browse through content from providers which will have no relevance to their research. There is clear advice and information about how viewers may use any content and about copyright issues. This can be found by clicking the ‘terms of service’ button at the bottom of the screen. The search screen is free of advertising but does contain a lot of information and examples of current videos and ‘clips of the day’ which can be distracting to the user. |
| Support | Average | Help and advice is presented as a series of FAQs as well as a search facility. Having entered a search the user is then able to search within the returns for a better match. Direct access to help requires a user to register with AOL. However, this service is only available to users in the USA. |
| Specific moving image content | Poor | No relevant returns were made when using the URL or phrase. There were a lot of videos returned that had nothing in common with the search terms. |
Ask Video
Ask.com uses Web crawlers to collect data and information about a range of resources that it then indexes. Ask endeavours to provide a service that complies with service industry standards.
| Criteria | Overall Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Search Options | Poor | Video searching does not provide an advanced search option. The user is able to employ a filter which blocks the return of any adult material. The user is able to filter returns by clicking suggested search terms that are provided by Ask video. Further filtering can be done on duration of the video and its file type. |
| Performance | Poor | An average amount of results were returned quickly. Regardless of how many returns are made the user is restricted to viewing the first 325 videos only. The relevance to search terms is patchy with some very relevant videos interspersed with those that are not. The quality of the videos is fine when viewed in small to medium panels. Full screen or near full screen viewing is not of a high standard. Access to a number of videos was blocked for a number of reasons including the video had been removed: a user account was needed for access; or the content was not available in this country. A number of duplications were also returned. It was also noted that during testing a number of audio files were retuned with the results. |
| Presentation | Average | The results are returned as thumbnails in a grid. The following information is provided – the name of the video, the site where it was originally uploaded, the date it was uploaded, its duration and the file format (Flash, Real Media, Windows Media, MPEG 4, etc). A preview of the video can be viewed by placing the cursor over the thumbnail. The full length videos are played by clicking the thumbnail. Videos are viewed either in a new Ask window or from the originators site. Users can obtain clear and concise information about copyright and how they might use the content returned by clicking the ‘Copyright & Disclaimer’ button. The search screen and results pages contain no overt advertising. Users might however be diverted to sites where there are large amounts of advertising some of which might be of an adult nature. |
| Support | Good | Help is provided in the form of FAQs and by choosing from a list of ‘areas of interest’. Users are also able to access contact information including Ask’s full postal address and telephone and fax numbers. |
| Specific moving image content | Poor | The full video was not returned when using the URL or phrase – a number of related videos were returned. In addition there were a lot of videos returned that had little or nothing in common with the search phrase used. |
Blinkx
Blinkx uses speech recognition and video analysis software to search and qualify online video. Users can search for content, create video play lists and build resources for Web 2.0 applications. Blinkx hold over 18 million hours of video which is indexed and fully searchable. The video content is uploaded onto the Blinkx site by a wide range of providers including BBC, HBO, MTV and Rolling Stone.
| Criteria | Overall Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Search Options | Good | Blinkx offers both basic and advanced search options. The basic search option is located on the home page. From there the user is also able to browse a number of selected videos from a number of genres. The user can browse video content from such areas as world news, entertainment, business and sport. The advanced search option offers searching using Boolean logic. The user is also able to choose between the results being returned on the basis of relevance or date. The type of media searched can also be selected and the range of content providers searched can be controlled. The site offers a safe search facility which can be turned on or off. Safe search helps to prevent unsuitable results being returned. |
| Performance | Good | The results from unrestricted provider searches produced very large amounts of returns from a wide variety of providers. The results were returned very quickly. The relevance of the content returned was also very high. That said, no matter how many results were retuned the tester was unable to view any more than 1000 videos. A very small amount of the videos were duplicated and no bad links were found during testing. The quality of videos was reasonable unless viewed in full screen mode. |
| Presentation | Good | The delivery screen is split in two. The returned thumbnails are listed down the left hand side. The thumbnails are provided with information including a title, a synopsis of the contents of the video, details about the provider, the date the video was first shown, the length of the video and the video format (e.g. Flash, MPEG or WMV). Each of the videos in the list plays in real time. The top half of the left hand screen runs previews of the videos that have been returned and which make up the list on the right hand side of the screen. The previews run in the same order as the returns list. Underneath the preview panel is a ‘My Video Playlist’. Users are able to drag and drop videos into the panel and view them in order. Users are also able to send the playlist by email and create video walls for use in blogs and other applications (e.g. My Space). The search engine is relatively free of advertising but does include links to information about Blinkx Ad Hoc. By registering to Blinkx Ad Hoc users can run embedded code through Blinkx Ad Hoc which will place relevant advertisements with a video they have uploaded. The contributor receives a fee every time a viewer clicks the advertisers’ link. Selected videos are shown either on the Blinkx site or the user will be directed to the originators Web site. A number of linked web sites contain large amounts of advertising which can have a detrimental effect on the experience. The site includes information about the type of agreement people are entering into when uploading videos to Blinkx as well as how the content might be used by Blinkx and by the users of the Blinkx search engine. In essence those that upload videos to Blinx licence the use of the videos to Blinkx for specific purposes as outlined in the agreement. Those that upload videos to Blinkx retain ownership of the videos at all times. |
| Support | Average | The site provides a FAQ section which offers advice on a wide range of issues that might interest users. FAQs include what does Blinkx do? how can I refine my search? and how do I use advanced search? Blinkx also provide information for those wanting to make general enquiries. This information includes full postal addresses and telephone numbers. |
| Specific moving image content | Average | Related videos were returned when using the URL and phrase. |
Dogpile
Dogpile is a metaseach engine that searches content from a number of other search engines including Google, Yahoo! Search, Live Search and Ask.com. The video searches are provided by Blinkx. The search results are returned to the user at Dogpile.
| Criteria | Overall Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Search Options | Poor | There is no advanced search option when searching on Dogpile video (although the facility for advanced searching is available for the Web, images and audio). The user is able to set a number of preferences including filtering adult content, the amount of returns displayed per page, tracking and displaying the users 15 most recent searches and to make the search terms appear in bold on the results page. The user cannot filter results once they have been returned. |
| Performance | Average | The speed of returns is very quick but the amount of returns is disappointing. During testing the maximum amount of returns for any video search was 60. On the plus side all the returns could be viewed and came from a wide range of sources including blip.tv, Reuters, ITN, AOL movies and CNN as well as sources such as Google Video and YouTube. The videos are viewed from the originators site so the viewer is subject to the quality of video made available by them. Those videos that were tested showed in reasonable quality when viewed in medium size (one quarter of the screen) but the quality decreased dramatically when the images were viewed larger than that and certainly in full screen mode. During testing it was noted that there was little or no duplication of returns and that all links tested worked. |
| Presentation | Average | The results are displayed as a list down the left hand side of the screen. The videos displayed as thumbnails are ‘run’ from the returns page. You do not need to place a cursor over the thumbnail in order for the video to run. Information about the videos returned is limited to the title, a brief description of what the video contains, the site that returned the video and the date the video was originally shown. The site contains a ‘terms of use’ section which outlines how users may use any content returned. It contains explicit information about the copyright that is owned and controlled by Dogpile as well as giving warnings about possible copyright considerations that are related to sites that Dogpile links to. The Dogpile site itself is relatively free of advertising (there are a number of small banners for search engines that are used). That said, a number of the sites that are linked to Dogpile and which provide access to the videos have a high level of advertising which can be a distraction to the viewer. |
| Support | Average | The site contains information about Dogpile as well as a ‘Tools and Tips’ section which provides information on how best to use the search engine. There is also a ‘Contact Us’ section in which users are able to email any questions directly to Dogpile. |
| Specific moving image content | Average | Dogpile failed to return the desired video when using the URL or phrase. A range of associated videos were returned when using the phrase only. |
Google Video UK
Google Video contains millions of indexed videos. The index is comprised of videos which have been added by people uploading content onto YouTube and Google Video (both Google services). Videos can also be uploaded to the index from third party sites.
| Criteria | Overall Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Search Options | Good | Both basic and advanced search options are available. A basic search can include all videos in the index or it can be limited to those videos that are hosted by Google. An advanced video search allows for Boolean logic. Searches can also be filtered on language, duration of videos and domain. The user can also choose how the returns are sorted (by relevance, rating, number of views, title or date) and set the amount of results per page (from 10 to 100). Users can also access a preference section and can set the language they wish to use during the session, limit the range of languages that are searched and place a filter on any searches that will exclude adult material. In addition, on the Google Video homepage users are able to browse content by specific genre including most popular videos, comedy, music and musicals, film trailers, sports and educational. Once a search has produced number of returns they can be filtered on duration and sorted by relevance, rating, popularity, date or title. |
| Performance | Good | Search results are returned very quickly and the majority of the returns are relevant to the search terms used. That said, where very large numbers of results are returned the user is only able to access the first 99 pages. It should be noted that during testing no dead links were identified but there was a number of duplicated files. The picture quality is adequate for screens up to approximately four times the size of thumb nails but becomes much blockier when viewed at larger sizes. |
| Presentation | Average | Results are returned in list form with the thumbnails running down the left hand side of the screen. To the right of each thumbnail is the title of the video, the duration, the date it was uploaded, its rating in stars (the ratings are made by viewers with 5 stars being the highest number achievable) and the number of ratings made. There is also a brief description about the video and a link to where the video was originally uploaded. Users can opt to click a ‘watch the video here’ button. Doing so opens the video in a new screen which opens directly below the thumbnail. If the user chooses to view the video by clicking on the thumbnail then they are linked back to the originators site where the video will open and play automatically. There is a ‘Terms’ button at the bottom of each screen that provides access to clear information on the rights and responsibilities of both the user and Google Video. Included is information about the relationship with Google, how users might use the service, how users might make use of the content provided and information about copyright and trademark policies. Google Video has a clean interface which is free of advertising. That said, there are links to other sites which include large amounts of advertising some of which might be aimed at an adult audience. |
| Support | Good | There is a ‘Help’ button at the bottom of each screen which gives access to a wide range of information about how to use Google video. Included is information on how to play videos and how to upload and download videos. The information is given in a series of questions and answers. Users can also access the Google Help Centre which offers further help and advice on a range of Google products (including Google Video). There is a Google Video Discussion Board where users can ask questions, receive and share answers and gain information on how best to use Google Video. |
| Specific moving image content | Average | Google Video failed to return the desired video when using the URL or phrase. A range of associated videos were returned but not the one specific to the search. |
Live Search (Microsoft)
Formally MSN Search, Live Search is Microsoft’s search engine and can be accessed via Microsoft’s Live.com or MSN.com. While the search returns come from a wide variety of sources including BBC news, The Canadian Encyclopedia and Iowa Public Television, the majority of video clips included in the returns were provided by You Tube and My Space.
| Criteria | Overall Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Search Options | Good | The engine provides an advanced search facility. Searchers are able to use Boolean logic to refine searches, to include or exclude particular sites or domains, to search within stated links and to search websites from particular countries using particular languages. There is also ‘safe search’ which can exclude material of an adult nature. Search settings, advanced search and a translator facility are accessed via an ‘option’ dropdown menu. Live search can be added to a user’s browser and users can create accounts and personalise the search page. |
| Performance | Good | Very quick returns with a larger than average number provided. However, regardless of the amount of videos returned the user is only able to access the first 50 pages of them. The returned results had quite high relevancy with only some irrelevant returns made. The quality of the moving images was fine for small screen viewing but not suitable for the full screen. While no broken links were found during testing there were a number of duplications included. |
| Presentation | Good | Once results are returned the user is able to switch between grid and list views as well as prioritise the returns in terms of relevance and duration. A return can also be tagged as a favourite. The user is able to alter the way that results are displayed on screen and in what particular language. Users do not need to open video files to run the video. A preview of the full video runs when the cursor is placed over the thumbnail. Sound is also included when a video is played in this way. That said the small screen size and the proximity of other thumbnails can be distracting to the viewer. The name and duration of each video is entered under each thumbnail. Users are able to search within return videos for relevance, date and duration. Videos can also be tagged as favourites by the user. The site contains information about copyright issues and is free from overt advertising. |
| Support | Good | Live search provides links to FAQs as well as an advanced search options which allows you to send a question to an email support facility. Although users have to register with Microsoft to access the email facility. |
| Specific moving image content | Very good | Found the complete requested video when using the URL and when using the phrase. |
Pixsy
Pixsy has recently announced a distribution deal with Lycos allowing them to use Pixsy’s media search platform. Pixsy’ search engine proves a large collection of indexed web videos.
| Criteria | Overall Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Search Options | Poor | Pixsy does not provide an advanced search option. Search terms are entered into the search box and the search is initiated by clicking a video camera icon. Users can also browse content under the headings ‘Top searches’, ‘Sports’, ‘Entertainment’ and ‘Movies’. The default position is that a safe search option (which filters explicit content) is on. This can be turned off by clicking ‘Safe search is on’ message. Having undertaken a search the results can be filtered by content type (e.g. video or still image), category (e.g. US news, politics and travel) and source provider (e.g. BBC, USA Today or Megavideo). It was noted during testing that when searches were carried out by clicking the video camera icon still images were included in the returns. Images had to be filtered out after each search using the content type filter button. |
| Performance | Poor | On occasion during testing Pixsy took seconds as opposed to milliseconds to search and return results. No information about the numbers of results was made available so we are not able to state whether or not all the returns were accessible. It should be noted however, that the numbers of videos that were made available for viewing were much smaller than average. The relevancy to search terms was also patchy with very relevant videos being returned alongside those that were irrelevant to the search. The tests were carried out with the safe search filter on. However, a number of the returned results included material that might be regarded as inappropriate. This not only applied to the images themselves but also to some of the language used in narratives. The quality of the images was adequate when viewed in small to medium screens. If viewed in full screen the images were poor. The returned results included a number of duplications, dead links and links to content where the viewer either had to have an exiting account or had to register for an account. |
| Presentation | Average | Search results are returned as thumbnails and can be viewed as a list or in a grid. Information about each video is supplied and is composed of a title, the name of the provider, the date the video was uploaded, a narrative about the video and the content type (e.g. video or still image). To view the video users click the thumbnail and are then linked to the provider site to watch the video in full. The site contains a Terms of Service document which outlines how a user might use the Pixsy search engine and for what purposes. There is also a copyright notice which sets out the legal position in relation to the content that is returned to users. In addition to the notice there is a clear message at the bottom of each screen which reads that ‘You must obtain permission from the owner to use any material found on Pixsy’. The Pixsy search screen is free of advertising. The ‘results returned’ screens are virtually free of advertising apart from providing links to partner organisations at the bottom of the screen. Users should be advised that as the videos are played from the provider sites these sites may contain advertising material that is of an adult nature. |
| Support | Poor | No advice or support was found on the site. The postal address for Pixsy is made available. |
| Specific moving image content | Poor | No returns were produced when using either the URL or the phrase. |
Yahoo
http://video.search.yahoo.com/
The Yahoo search engine crawls Web sites for video content in the usual way. It also offers Web 2.0 functionality allowing users to upload, tag and share their own videos with other users.
| Criteria | Overall Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Search Options | Good | Basic and advanced search options are available. In advanced search the user is able to use Boolean logic to refine searches. In addition searches can be made on a range of formats (AVI, MPEG, Quicktime, Windows Media, Real and Flash) and a choice of sites and domains is available. Size of files and the duration of videos can also be set as required. There is a filter which allows the user to block searches of adult material. There are also a number of preference settings that can be set. These include a language setting, how the returns are displayed (i.e. the amount of results per page and whether the result appear in a new window). Preferences can also be set in respect of the type of media searched and whether or not a search should be taken out on a subscription resource (this is more relevant to ‘print’ based resources such as Lexis Nexis Butterworths and the Wall Street Journal). |
| Performance | Good | The search results were returned very quickly. The user is also able to refine searches from the returns. Included is the ability to order the returned videos in terms of length, relevance, most viewed and newest. As is the case with other search engine returns the user is only able to view the first 50 pages of returns. This is regardless of the amount of videos that are actually found. While there is quite a good spread of original sites included there are many more returns from YouTube and Video Yahoo! During testing a relatively small number of duplications and dead links were found. |
| Presentation | Good | Search results are returned as thumbnails and can be viewed as either a list or a grid. In grid view the name of the video, its duration and the name of the originator site are displayed. In list view the date the video was uploaded, information about the content of the video, the amount of times the video has been viewed and the format of the video (where known) are also provided. The returned results can be sorted by relevance, most viewed, newest and duration (where short is < 1 minute and long is > than 4 minutes). At the bottom of the screen is a button which provides a link to a ‘Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy’ which outlines what users can do with content as well as ways of providing information where they think intellectual property rights have been abused. The site is subject to some advertising in the form of banner adverts down the right hand side of each screen. |
| Support | Average | The site does provide a ‘help’ section but it is not in an obvious place. To access the help facility the user has to access a dropdown menu called ‘More’ which is situated on the Yahoo! Video search page. Having accessed the dropdown menu the user clicks on ‘Answers’ to access help options. Users are able post questions (on any subject) and provide answers to questions (on any subject) that have been posted on the Answer blog. However, to post a question to the Yahoo! Ask service a user needs to open a Yahoo! Account. |
| Specific moving image content | Average | Related items were found when using the phrase only. The complete video was not returned. |
4. Conclusion
The Internet is an entity which is subject to innovation and change. Change is happening rapidly and there is some debate as to how it will be used in the future. The desire to search for and use moving image content for educational purposes will no doubt increase in the coming years. It is probable therefore that the use of search engines to find suitable content will as a result also rise.
This paper has reviewed the most popular search engines that are used today. It should be stressed that this list is not exhaustive and that the paper will undergo periodic review to ascertain developments in this area.
As was stated earlier, the views expressed in this paper are largely subjective. Those searching for content via search engines will need to make their own value judgements on the types of returns that they receive and the relevance they have to their research. They should be mindful that, in all probability, any search terms that are used are bound to produce returns that will bear very little or no relevance to the particular area research. Researchers will need to use their analytical skills to ascertain which videos are of use to them and which are not.
Please see below for links to further related JISC Digital Media resources:
In addition, further information about the availability of moving images for educational purposes can be found in the gateways and databases provided by the British Universities Film & Video Council (BUFVC).
Last updated: 17 March 2008
Published in:
Finding and using digital media
Tags:
business & community engagement |
finding moving images |
search engines |
video
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