Chris Marlowe reports: Google Video is set to go live Monday, marking the latest step in the evolution of search engines.
In its initial phase, the free service will comb for results through thousands of videos submitted by their owners and still-video captures from more than 20 TV stations.
Consumers will need to download a small piece of software to view the videos. The software functions as a plug-in to Windows-compatible browsers including Internet Explorer and Firefox. Peter Chane, Google Inc. senior product manager Google Video, said a Mac version will be available soon.
Among the participating television channels are PBS, CNN, Fox News, C-SPAN, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and the Learning Channel.
Chane said the video uploaded by owners ranges widely, from independent short films and charitable organization documentaries to local youth soccer games. He cited UNICEF, P. Allen Smith Gardens, Link TV and the Employment & Career Channel as examples of groups that have made their content available on Google Video.
Users enter search terms and get a list of results, each of which includes a brief description and still screen captures. Results with playable videos are marked with a small triangle. Chane said clicking on one returns a page with up to five screen captures, making it possible for users to select the specific part of the video most relevant to their search.
Google has been indexing video since December and accepting uploaded videos since April. “Video is in some cases difficult to put on line,” Chane said.
“We make it very simple. Google Video accepts video in virtually any format and it’s all free — we provide free hosting and free playing. We’re focused on improving the consumer experience and making it a great product.”
Those submitting videos enter descriptive information, and Google verifies the content meets suitability and copyright guidelines. Google also is laying the groundwork for paid video playback, for which it would take a revenue share set dependent on the file’s size and popularity.
This is an increasingly competitive area of online business. Yahoo! launched its Yahoo! Video Search in May, with content from such partners as Buena Vista Pictures, CBS News, CMT, Discovery Communications, MTV, VH1, Reuters and Scripps Networks. America Online has its own Singingfish media search services, which has alliances with CNN, AtomShockwave Corp., CBSNews.com, Hollywood.com, Like Television, ManiaTV.com, MarketWatch and the One Network. Relative newcomer Blinkx also is growing in popularity and has relationships with BBC News, Fox News, Sky News, Bloomberg, Movielink, Reuters, MSNBC News, NBC, ABC, CSPAN, NPR, CNN and CBS. 