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August 22, 2008

Jumpcut – Mix or Make Your Own Video Content

ss-jumpcut

I know absolutely nothing about video editing. I’m one of the few individuals who have not yet created a fan video of my favorite TV show and uploaded it to YouTube. So, with that in mind, Jumpcut offers a good introductory foray into the world of video editing.

Registering is simple and uses your Yahoo ID Account – if you don’t have one, simply navigate to http://mail.yahoo.com. Once you’ve done that, you’ve got the option to fill out your profile, add a photo etc.

Jumpcut gives you the option to edit your profile, or explore the site, which is where the social networking content comes into play. Featured videos and users take up most of the home page, with an easily navigable, framed left-hand menu. Starting from scratch, you have the option to either browse through the very informative user guide, or just start creating. You can upload your own raw content, “grab” some of the public videos on offer, or even “remix” another user’s video.

The layout is clean and simple, and editing features range from the standard (fades, tints, audio) to the more advanced (angles, filters, and effects). The only major downside is that uploading even a 60-second video takes almost 20 minutes, which is why a fast broadband connection is a must. Still, this site provides a basic starting point for video editing, provides a lot of enjoyment, and has a much more solid social network than similar sites such as Vimeo or YouTube.

Practical Uses:

  • Connect with like-minded users by browsing videos and commenting on other users’ submissions, or joining/creating chat groups based on genre, and get creative ideas
  • View local events in your area, either video/movie-related or not

Insider Info:

  • Even if you know nothing about video editing, you can start from scratch (with the help of the user guide) or refine your existing skills, and apply or undo various editing techniques with ease
  • Keep video clips smaller (max 100MB) to avoid a slow upload
  • Play around with a good range of filters and editing tools to create a video that’s uniquely your own
  • If you get stuck, browse the extensive user guide for help

What We Liked:

  • Extremely useful user guide
  • Social networking feel
  • Simple profile web addresses make it easy to share your pages with friends

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Painfully slow uploads
  • Tags need cleaning up (noticing “san” and “fran” as completely separate tags, with “and” being the most popular)

Alternatives:

Company Info:

  • Launched: 2006, bought by Yahoo! Inc
  • Privately Held
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California
  • Founded by: Mike Folgner & Ryan Cunningham
  • Website: http://www.jumpcut.com

Costs:

  • Free

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