Is it time to upsize maximum video width?
Short answer: Yes, I think so.
Long answer: Yes, because:
1. Default video width at major players like YouTube, Metacafe, DailyMotion, and even Funny Or Die are all wider than our 540 pixel maximum.
2. Video quality has improved greatly at most sites, even the ones that used to have shitty resolution. For example, Break used to be horrible, but now the quality of their videos in general is on par with that of the other major players. Many of the major video sites are also offering HD videos that are just begging for the largest display possible.
3. Most computer monitors these days are wider than the old 1024 pixel width standard. Wider videos shouldn't be a problem for most. What made this perfectly clear to me: This comment. Look at it; the video in it is actually bigger than the posted one, and my computer displayed it with no problem, i.e., it didn't go past the comment frame. I'll bet most of you had no problem with it either.
For the above reasons I propose we go to a 640 pixel width for videos. Bigger is better in the realm of video. People aren't rushing out to buy tiny TVs, are they? And VideoSift prides itself on *quality videos. Therefore shouldn't they be displayed in a high-quality manner?
NOW, I realize there will be some who oppose this because they love their tiny little computer screens
Therefore I ask this question to the admins: Would it be possible to have two default display widths: A small one (540 pixel width) for those who have selected the 1024 pixel width display as their default, and the larger size (640 pixels) for those who have selected larger display widths as their default? I hope it's possible, that way everyone can be happy. But if not, I'd still like to see us upsize to 640 pixel width videos, for all the reasons I have already covered.
I was thinking about doing one of those fancy new-fangled polls on this, but I decided that I'd just float the idea for now, just to get a feel for what the membership wants, and also for what the admins think would work best.
So what say you?
Long answer: Yes, because:
1. Default video width at major players like YouTube, Metacafe, DailyMotion, and even Funny Or Die are all wider than our 540 pixel maximum.
2. Video quality has improved greatly at most sites, even the ones that used to have shitty resolution. For example, Break used to be horrible, but now the quality of their videos in general is on par with that of the other major players. Many of the major video sites are also offering HD videos that are just begging for the largest display possible.
3. Most computer monitors these days are wider than the old 1024 pixel width standard. Wider videos shouldn't be a problem for most. What made this perfectly clear to me: This comment. Look at it; the video in it is actually bigger than the posted one, and my computer displayed it with no problem, i.e., it didn't go past the comment frame. I'll bet most of you had no problem with it either.
For the above reasons I propose we go to a 640 pixel width for videos. Bigger is better in the realm of video. People aren't rushing out to buy tiny TVs, are they? And VideoSift prides itself on *quality videos. Therefore shouldn't they be displayed in a high-quality manner?
NOW, I realize there will be some who oppose this because they love their tiny little computer screens
Therefore I ask this question to the admins: Would it be possible to have two default display widths: A small one (540 pixel width) for those who have selected the 1024 pixel width display as their default, and the larger size (640 pixels) for those who have selected larger display widths as their default? I hope it's possible, that way everyone can be happy. But if not, I'd still like to see us upsize to 640 pixel width videos, for all the reasons I have already covered.I was thinking about doing one of those fancy new-fangled polls on this, but I decided that I'd just float the idea for now, just to get a feel for what the membership wants, and also for what the admins think would work best.
So what say you?
18 Comments
kronosposeidonself-important *promote
siftbotSelf promoting this Sift Talk post - promote requested by original submitter kronosposeidon.
Farhad2000I have a 1920 by 1200 resolution at home and VS looks tiny. So I essentially agree with this proposal but am guessing increasing the embed would make the video overflow over the edge against the right pane so I don't know how it is technically feasible.
dagComment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)
Here are the stats for the last month of Google Analytics on screen resolutions:
1. 1024x768 24.56%
2. 1280x800 20.44%
3. 1280x1024 14.85%
4. 1680x1050 10.67%
5. 1440x900 10.24%
So the #1 screen resolution is still 1024 X 768. If we made the standard site resolution wider, that would mean horizontal scrolling browser windows for them.
Farhad2000>> ^dag:
Here are the stats for the last month of Google Analytics on screen resolutions:
1. 1024x768 24.56%
I would bet money thats people coming in from work PCs. Like I am right now. For research purposes. Of course.
kulpimsI use 1024x768 at work, and 1680x1050 at home
ZonbieWell I have a little netbook at home, its lovely for surfing etc, however its native resolution is 1024x600 (alot of net books are this resolution)
So the 1024xXXX res will stay for a bit longer
DeanoThe majority of the time I'm on my little laptop which is 1024x768. My work pc is 1280x1024.
As long as such a change didn't break it on the lower resolution I can't see any objection.
RedSkyI agree, would be great if video embed width could scale relative to what resolution you select at the bottom, as long as that's possible. Otherwise, especially with 1/4 people still using 1024x768 and the growth of netbook use it wouldn't be a good idea to antagonise a sizeable portion of visitors. Especially since right now you can usually click through to the source and watch it in full glory, or just full-screen it if you want.
Another nice thing for higher resolutions especially would be to centre or allow to centre videos so they don't sit in the corner of the screen. Could just be me but I hate having to cram my head to the side. Oh and while I'm going off topic with complete disregard, could we have a function to view just the video itself in like a separate boxed pop up window, you know the ones with no browser UI or address bar at the top? I find especially with long, 30 min + videos, documentaries and the like I want to be able toss the video in the corner and do something else while I'm watching it. You can kinda already do that with Chrome because you just drag out the tab, resize it and toss it in the corner but still think it'd be nifty to have.
kronosposeidon>> ^dag:
Here are the stats for the last month of Google Analytics on screen resolutions:
1. 1024x768 24.56%
2. 1280x800 20.44%
3. 1280x1024 14.85%
4. 1680x1050 10.67%
5. 1440x900 10.24%
So the #1 screen resolution is still 1024 X 768. If we made the standard site resolution wider, that would mean horizontal scrolling browser windows for them.
So 1024 is the mode, BUT that means 75% of all viewers are using a display that's larger than 1024 pixels. By a 3 to 1 ratio, in fact.
If not 640 pixels, how about 600? Or even 580. I still think larger is the way to go. We want to give everyone what YouTube and other video hosts are already offering: Large videos. We don't want them to step down when they come here, do we?
jonnyI use a little 15" notebook, with 1280 wide resolution, and have my VS settings on 1024.
I just took a screenshot, and the width of the main column is at least 650 pixels wide, not including margins. There is absolutely no reason not to have videos fill that space.
Good call KP. Go 640.
jonny>> ^dag:
Here are the stats for the last month of Google Analytics on screen resolutions:
Is 1024 the default? Obviously that would skew the results.
StingrayI would like larger video embeds as well, but understand it is difficult to cater to all people.
Would it not be possible to set a cookie or preference in a users account to show videos at a preferred size? This is now done with the VideoSift color themes (classic, dark, and nublu).
blankfistI didn't read this bullshit post, but I have an extra power point burning a hole in my virtual pocket, so... *quality. I'm sure whatever "words" Kronos has decided to string together in the hopes of forming a cohesive thought is worth that extra point. Him and his books. I hate you learned people.
siftbotAwarding kronosposeidon with one star point for this contribution to Sift Talk - declared quality by blankfist.
lucky760I changed it so videos will adjust their size depending on your current page width selection.
Great suggestion, kp.
burdturglerHoly crap that's awesome!
kronosposeidon>> ^lucky760:
I changed it so videos will adjust their size depending on your current page width selection. Great suggestion, kp.
Wow! That was quick. Thanks for making it happen, and thanks also for making it adjustable based on your selected screen width. Everyone wins.
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