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05.27.08 Animoto An Amazing Web-based Video Creator  By Neville Hobson
One of the communication technologies I like experimenting with is video. That's why I play with new tools like Qik (live video streaming from a Nokia mobile phone) and seesmic (video conversations via your webcam). I discovered another one today that I find so compelling that I'm just amazed the whole internet isn't a-buzz about it (although there is indeed plenty of buzz). This is Animoto, a web-based service that automatically creates a video from images and music. That rather dry description does this service little justice. You have to see what it can do to fully appreciate its potential. Take a look at this:  This video was automatically created by Animoto, using images from one of my sets on Flickr. I gave it permission to go into my Flickr account and grab those images. The excellent music is a track I selected from the ample music library at Animoto. I can also upload my own audio (music or anything) if I want. The whole thing took about ten minutes.
You have two sign-up options with Animoto - a free account, which lets you create videos of 30 seconds or less; and a paid account for videos longer than that and other benefits. The video above runs about a minute and 14 seconds. That was the second video I did, after quickly signing up for a paid account (it was a no brainer at $30 a year, and a PayPal option makes it hard to resist just doing it). My first effort was a video of less that 30 seconds to try the service out. I simply uploaded a handful of images from my pictures folder, chose some music from Animoto's library, and that was it - one short video created in less than five minutes:  Continue reading this article. About the Author: Neville Hobson is the author of the popular NevilleHobson.com blog which focuses on business communication and technology. Neville is a UK-based communicator, blogger and podcaster. He helps companies use effective communication to achieve their business goals. Visit Neville Hobson's blog: NevilleHobson.com. | ||||||||
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