I took part in an experiment today to try out ooVoo, a new video conferencing and messaging service that, according to its Wikipedia entry, is similar to Skype video calling.
Similar indeed as both services use the internet for their connection and a webcam to communicate. Both also offer additional features, notably phone calling and text messaging.
One marked difference - with ooVoo, you can connect with up to six people simultaneously in a video conversation, and record that conversation.
See ooVoo’s full feature list here.
I joined Marshall Kirkpatrick in a group ooVoo video call as part of My OoVoo Day, a series of online events with bloggers that takes place during the coming ten days, all using ooVoo for video conversations.
This screenshot is what I saw on my screen when everyone in today’s video call was connected:
The experiment shows it does a pretty good job, albeit with some caveats. The ooVoo service, incidentally, is in beta.
Some initial thoughts about ooVoo based on today’s experience:
- The ooVoo software is nicely designed. Good attention to detail, well organized and laid out, not too difficult to quickly find your way around.
- Adding Marshall to my contact list proved a challenge. I knew his ooVoo ID yet when I searched for his details, ooVoo said there was no such user. In the end, Marshall added me as his contact so we were able to connect.
- I couldn’t get my webcam to start so at the beginning of the call, everyone just saw a static photo. Then I discovered a tiny button on my image which I clicked and the video started. It should be easier than that.
- During the call, I observed that my computer’s CPU usage was at near-100% all the time, making the machine extremely sluggish for any other use. This became an irritation when, for instance, other ooVoo windows popped up in response to other events (eg, someone requesting to make content) and which took an age to respond to clicks. I’d certainly hope this behaviour doesn’t continue as the product develops, otherwise it’s a show stopper.
- Recording a video call is a breeze - just click on an obvious button in the record window. The resulting file is saved in FLV (Flash) format. Recording quality, video and audio, is very good.
I have at least one more ooVoo call to participate in this week and may add some further thoughts here based on those experiences.
Marshall has written a review on ReadWriteWeb.Worth reading for additional views and conclusions.
I have some thoughts about the overall My OoVoo Day experiment, primarily from the communication point of which, which I’ll write about at some point on my main blog.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Neville, I’m glad you were able to participate and thanks for giving ooVoo a whirl.
Incidentally, the reason Marshall was hard to find is because he gave out the wrong user ID on Twitter. The most surefire way of finding someone on ooVoo is to use their email address (assuming you know it, of course).
If you have any other questions or comments on ooVoo, they’re listening. You can certainly feel free to ooVoo me directly: scottmonty. And I guarantee, that’s my real ooVoo ID.
Full disclosure: ooVoo is a client of my company, crayon.
Scott, thanks for explaining why I couldn’t find Marshall. Simple!
I have one other confirmed ooVoo session tomorrow. Further thoughts after that.
And here I’m given to understand that Chris had to cancel at the last minute, due to some unforeseen commitments. Ah, day jobs!
I understand he has two sessions next week, so I’d encourage you to try again, assuming you can wait that long. Personally, I think Chris’s blog and his MoDW topic are fascinating.
Yes, I got an email saying that about 15 mins before the event time. Good notification system!
I can’t join Chris next week for timing reasons. But I have signed up for Robin Good’s session on Friday. That should be a good one, too.