Author Topic: EEVblog&some other YouTube channels, no longer free, at best (HD) quality levels  (Read 11943 times)

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Offline MK14Topic starter

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Plain old Bittorrent is plenty good for most of the content. Add some sort of cryptocurrency on top of it that's "mined" by seeding the torrents and it will effectively provide incentives to seed. Make the amount of reward dependent on demand and it will automatically scale as needed.

That sounds like something, which would work to gradually or quickly, download YouTube like videos, onto your computer.

But not necessarily something which would have the reliable, anytime of day, high speed (as necessary), consistent, instant watch videos now.  That YouTube currently offers, for most people, on reasonable or better internet connections.

If the YouTube replacement or competitor, could only be watched by first downloading the entire video.  I suspect, some or a lot of YouTubes, appeal would be lost.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2023, 01:23:38 am by MK14 »
 

Offline gnuarm

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Presumably, this is (or later will be) for everyone, or just rolled out for me (and other randomly selected test candidates).

This would really annoy me, not being able to select the best/better screen resolutions, for my current setup(s).

it is an extra option for those who want to pay for extra bandwidth

£12.99 / Month seems rather pricey/expensive to me.

premium also gives you no ads and more, I'm not going to waste time watching ads and  someone has to pay YT and creators

don't you pay more for a TV license over there?

What is a TV license?  <done with my best Maggie Smith impression>
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Online NiHaoMike

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If the YouTube replacement or competitor, could only be watched by first downloading the entire video.  I suspect, some or a lot of YouTubes, appeal would be lost.
A workaround could be for subscribed feeds, have the option to download new videos ahead of time so they'll be ready.
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Offline MK14Topic starter

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If the YouTube replacement or competitor, could only be watched by first downloading the entire video.  I suspect, some or a lot of YouTubes, appeal would be lost.
A workaround could be for subscribed feeds, have the option to download new videos ahead of time so they'll be ready.

Yes, in some cases, your suggestion could fix that issue.  But if someone wants to access, things they don't currently subscribe to and/or past content.  There would then typically be a big delay.  If they need or want the video immediately, either as a need (they are in the middle of fixing something specific, and need a repair video, immediately) or badly want to watch or listen to something.  They would have to wait.

Which would not be so good.

Also, since YouTube (i.e. Google/Alphabet, presumably) wouldn't be running the show.  It could end up with lots of undesirable to many, videos on it.

Potentially causing it to eventually be banned in certain or many countries and/or heavily restricted and/or it being harmful to use, for some people.

Edit: Typo
« Last Edit: August 13, 2023, 10:24:36 am by MK14 »
 

Online NiHaoMike

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Have some sort of database for moderating videos. Most users would subscribe to some in order to keep the junk away. But if the moderators of that database misuse it to block videos that shouldn't be blocked, the users can just switch over to another one without that shortcoming.
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Cryptocurrency lesson 0: Altcoins and Bitcoin are not the same thing.
 
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Offline gnuarm

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Have some sort of database for moderating videos. Most users would subscribe to some in order to keep the junk away. But if the moderators of that database misuse it to block videos that shouldn't be blocked, the users can just switch over to another one without that shortcoming.

Why would any moderator block any videos?  This would only serve to reduce their... whatever it is they get by being moderators. 

When you say, "block videos that shouldn't be blocked", what does that mean exactly???  Which videos should be blocked? 
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Offline MK14Topic starter

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Why would any moderator block any videos?  This would only serve to reduce their... whatever it is they get by being moderators. 

When you say, "block videos that shouldn't be blocked", what does that mean exactly???  Which videos should be blocked?

Basically illegal content, and sometimes harmful stuff.  Such as drug misuse, how to perform some serious crimes videos, certain levels and types of XXX videos, very significantly 'wrong' content (misinformation), such as 'there is no such thing as Corona Virus ...', misinformation, deliberate cons, some types of hacking videos, illegal items for sale, dictatorship (leaders/countries) generated propaganda, and all the various things, in between.

I.e. Just like the sort of things, that Twitter (under their old management), Facebook and YouTube currently block.

An example of a 'rogue' moderator, would be like someone who blocks (bans) any videos, with any meat or animal harm, of any sort in them (which are NOT against the rules of the video organisation).  Because of their personal beliefs.

Alternatively, they block lots of things (needlessly), to make a big protest about something (such as the fairly recent Reddit actions), or the plague of UK sports (and other venues) events disruptions, by certain groups that want to just gain attention, by almost any means.
 

Offline gnuarm

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Why would any moderator block any videos?  This would only serve to reduce their... whatever it is they get by being moderators. 

When you say, "block videos that shouldn't be blocked", what does that mean exactly???  Which videos should be blocked?

Basically illegal content, and sometimes harmful stuff.  Such as drug misuse, how to perform some serious crimes videos, certain levels and types of XXX videos, very significantly 'wrong' content (misinformation), such as 'there is no such thing as Corona Virus ...', misinformation, deliberate cons, some types of hacking videos, illegal items for sale, dictatorship (leaders/countries) generated propaganda, and all the various things, in between.

I.e. Just like the sort of things, that Twitter (under their old management), Facebook and YouTube currently block.

An example of a 'rogue' moderator, would be like someone who blocks (bans) any videos, with any meat or animal harm, of any sort in them (which are NOT against the rules of the video organisation).  Because of their personal beliefs.

Alternatively, they block lots of things (needlessly), to make a big protest about something (such as the fairly recent Reddit actions), or the plague of UK sports (and other venues) events disruptions, by certain groups that want to just gain attention, by almost any means.

I did not make myself clear.  Why would anyone want to be a moderator?  It has got to be the biggest PITA job ever created.  What's in it for them?   What's their motivation?   Why would they care what is posted and what is blocked?
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Offline MK14Topic starter

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I did not make myself clear.  Why would anyone want to be a moderator?  It has got to be the biggest PITA job ever created.  What's in it for them?   What's their motivation?   Why would they care what is posted and what is blocked?

In some respects I agree with you.  The commercial, profit making aspects of the likes of YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and so on.  Allow them to pay for a large team of moderators.

But, if as another poster in this thread, may be suggesting.  It is purely as a volunteer, no pay involved at all.  Then there could be some takers, in the same way forums, such as this one.  Can find volunteers to act as the moderation team.

I think some people get a 'buzz' out of doing stuff like that, and they perhaps feel good, to do free stuff to help the forum community out as a whole.
 

Offline Bud

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don't you pay more for a TV license over there?

What is a TV license?  <done with my best Maggie Smith impression>
A phenomena in some european countries when you pay to be brainwashed.
Facebook-free life and Rigol-free shack.
 
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Offline Kim Christensen

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I did not make myself clear.  Why would anyone want to be a moderator?  It has got to be the biggest PITA job ever created.  What's in it for them?   What's their motivation?   Why would they care what is posted and what is blocked?

One reason would be mislabeled videos. There was a tactic used on torrent sites by film studio contractors to upload fake torrents with just noise/blank/different to frustrate pirates. Then they'd use a botnet to upvote their torrent.
As to "why"... Why does EEVBLOG exist and why does it have moderators? Some people just want to help out and volunteer.


« Last Edit: August 13, 2023, 03:15:17 pm by Kim Christensen »
 
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Offline langwadt

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don't you pay more for a TV license over there?

What is a TV license?  <done with my best Maggie Smith impression>
A phenomena in some european countries when you pay to be brainwashed.

exponents would argue that it does the opposite by providing independent news,information, coverage of events, cultural content without
being dependent on commercial interests or advertisers
 
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Offline gnuarm

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don't you pay more for a TV license over there?

What is a TV license?  <done with my best Maggie Smith impression>
A phenomena in some european countries when you pay to be brainwashed.

I was going for a bit of humor, but it seems there are no viewers of "Downton Abbey" here.  Maggie Smith had one of the best lines of the entire show.  "What is a weekend?"  It's much, much better in context.

https://youtu.be/TVMtffzbAwk?t=30
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Offline gnuarm

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I did not make myself clear.  Why would anyone want to be a moderator?  It has got to be the biggest PITA job ever created.  What's in it for them?   What's their motivation?   Why would they care what is posted and what is blocked?

One reason would be mislabeled videos. There was a tactic used on torrent sites by film studio contractors to upload fake torrents with just noise/blank/different to frustrate pirates. Then they'd use a botnet to upvote their torrent.
As to "why"... Why does EEVBLOG exist and why does it have moderators? Some people just want to help out and volunteer.

I'm just not getting it.  Someone will volunteer to enforce posting guidelines that they may not agree with?  No, I'm not getting this at all.
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Offline MK14Topic starter

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exponents would argue that it does the opposite by providing independent news,information, coverage of events, cultural content without
being dependent on commercial interests or advertisers

That's the well intentioned theory.

In practice (without turning one of my own threads into a political one), it seems the team of do gooders at the top, running it all, such as the BBC.  Throw out their own agenda, for everyone to accept.  With potentially significant apparent differences, to the general populations ideas on how society should be and act.
 

Offline Kim Christensen

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I'm just not getting it.  Someone will volunteer to enforce posting guidelines that they may not agree with?  No, I'm not getting this at all.

I wouldn't volunteer to moderate a "pro-Trump" blog because my beliefs do not align with that ideology at all.
But I might volunteer to moderate a "pro-repair" blog.
I'm sure there are many people who would be happy in either role above, so me not wanting to moderate one of them is not a problem at all.

Most people volunteer for things they are passionate about. Not for things they have no interest in or hate. Unless they are a masochist or something.
Imagine the most disgusting thing you can think of. There is someone out there who likes it.  >:D


 
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Offline madires

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Maybe not a popular stance, but on an HD monitor 480 is often acceptable for common content, and 720 for content with drawings and other fine details.
 
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Offline MK14Topic starter

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Maybe not a popular stance, but on an HD monitor 480 is often acceptable for common content, and 720 for content with drawings and other fine details.

If you have got a genuine, very high or full, bit rate 720p source.  It can look rather good.

The thing is, not all 720p sources, give enough bitrate to get the best out of 720p.

On the other hand.  I have found that only some people can reliable notice and appreciate, higher resolutions and the improved details they can give.  Some people, don't seem to be able to tell the difference.

I think as people get older, the resolution matters, less and less.  Maybe because eyesight, can go a bit downhill, as people get older.
 

Online EEVblog

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Maybe not a popular stance, but on an HD monitor 480 is often acceptable for common content, and 720 for content with drawings and other fine details.

Bitchute is still only 480p, and all my HD content that gets automatically posted on there is only shown as 480p, and it's totally useful for anything that involves a screen capture for example.
 
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Online SiliconWizard

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Most of my YT (and similar) uses are not full-screen anyway. I very rarely watch a YT video in full screen (maybe very occasionally on my TV set), so 720p looks fine. 480p can be ok if there's no text to read (or only large stuff), but otherwise not too great.

With that said, yes the coming trend with "free" online services is to add more subscription options and make the free access more and more limited. That's not just with YT - they are all doing it.
And yes, many if not most of these services make too little or even lose money - at some point shareholders and investors are past the hype period and they start wanting to get some ROI. This time's coming.
 
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Offline MK14Topic starter

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And yes, many if not most of these services make too little or even lose money - at some point shareholders and investors are past the hype period and they start wanting to get some ROI. This time's coming.

I've heard that, conventional advertising revenues (such as with adverts shown between chunks of YouTube content, before it starts etc), have been declining over the years.  Partly because of the trend of increasing number of users using Ad-Blockers, but also for a number of other reasons.

Costs are tending to go up, inflation, Brexit (especially for the UK and EU), war(s) and their effects, increasing interest rates, people in general having less money to spend, post Covid slowdown/recession (opinions and what exactly it should be called vary, but the general consensus is things are going a bit down-hill for businesses at the moment).

The internet is also becoming more of a standard commodity, rather than a new, shiny novelty item.

So, it is sort of inevitable, that there may be changes (possibly big ones), afoot on the internet in other areas.
« Last Edit: August 14, 2023, 07:51:28 am by MK14 »
 

Offline Veteran68

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Most of my YT (and similar) uses are not full-screen anyway. I very rarely watch a YT video in full screen (maybe very occasionally on my TV set), so 720p looks fine. 480p can be ok if there's no text to read (or only large stuff), but otherwise not too great.

And see, I'm pretty much the opposite. I watch the vast majority of my YT content full screen, mostly on my 43" 4K monitor (the 4th monitor in my desktop setup, as I described earlier). Which was mainly the reason for adding it as my 4th monitor, so I could enjoy streaming content without tying up one of the three 27" monitors, all of which get constant use in my daily workflow. So I do appreciate the higher resolutions, and can definitely tell the difference between 1080P and 4K content (and appreciate the latter when it's available). I consider 1080P a minimum for my tastes, especially when there's visual content to focus on versus just a talking head.

With that said, yes the coming trend with "free" online services is to add more subscription options and make the free access more and more limited. That's not just with YT - they are all doing it.
And yes, many if not most of these services make too little or even lose money - at some point shareholders and investors are past the hype period and they start wanting to get some ROI. This time's coming.

I agree. While it's easy to lament the commercialization of previously "free" internet resources, especially for those of us old enough to remember the early internet and its predecessors, the quality, quantity, and richness of information available today dwarfs those early days of free content, and wouldn't be possible without the massive servers, storage, and bandwidth to support it all. Add in the fact that commercial entities accountable to shareholders, as you point out, expect not just break even revenues but some degree of profits (otherwise why spend these resources for the "good of the people" when they could be put to higher revenue-generating purposes), and it's logical to see how we got to this point.

So now I will have to pay for the content that has value to me, and I will tend to drop or find free alternatives to those that don't bring value. Kind of how a capitalist market works (not that I think capitalism is perfect -- no socio-economic model is -- but it's the one I live in and prefer over some of the alternatives).
 
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Offline nickds1

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don't you pay more for a TV license over there?

UK TV licence is optional, if you don't watch live TV.  I don't, so I don't pay it.  Streaming like Netflix is not included, but services like BBC iPlayer are.

Not quite. You need a license to use iPlayer, even for non-live programs.

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ291#
 

Offline pdenisowski

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I think as people get older, the resolution matters, less and less.  Maybe because eyesight, can go a bit downhill, as people get older.

Or maybe it's because "older" people remember analog television with over-the-air reception and/or VHS tapes and have much lower standards than people born and raised in the internet age :)
Test and Measurement Fundamentals video series on the Rohde & Schwarz YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKxVoO5jUTlvsVtDcqrVn0ybqBVlLj2z8
 
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Offline MK14Topic starter

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I think as people get older, the resolution matters, less and less.  Maybe because eyesight, can go a bit downhill, as people get older.

Or maybe it's because "older" people remember analog television with over-the-air reception and/or VHS tapes and have much lower standards than people born and raised in the internet age :)

That could be a factor as well.  Expectations, potentially gradually change over the years (across a whole age connected generation).

Ironically, I have fond memories of analogue TV and video tape recorders.  Because, somehow they seems to have a sort of infinite resolution, to the picture.  Which doesn't seem to be reproduced these days.  As long as there isn't a problem with the source, such as weak/noisy TV signals, worn out or poorly recorder tape and/or low quality video equipment, such as in some cases, rather cheap, bottom end equipment.

Another factor though, could be a humans minds ability, to make things that are from the past.  Look shinier, more glossy, perfect and better, than perhaps they really were or would be these days.

Certainly, many are glad to see the back of the overly massive glass CRT tubed, TVs and monitors.  Which could be in massive packages, and be extremely difficult to lift.

I can't remember exactly.  But I think some of the older (past TV generations), wide screen, big screened TVs.  Weighed something crazy, like 80 kgs, and could need at least two people to lift or move them (safely).  They weren't even that good really (opinions can vary).  The wide-screen ones, I mean, not the CRT concepts.

Maybe because in that era, only some of the content was for wide-screen TVs, the rest was for the almost 'square' (not really, but compared to the wide-screen ones, they partly are) TVs.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2023, 10:37:39 am by MK14 »
 


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