Whether you’ll use it or not is another matter, apparently, but that hasn’t stopped YouTube from introducing the ability to convert videos into the 3D format. While the feature is in the beta stage, it’s still an option available to anyone who uploads a video to YouTube’s index.
It’s true that 3D has been taking a beating lately, although, the re-release of The Lion King in 3D, and the resulting success, may hold off pushing the 3D format back onto the gimmick pile. Digression about the format itself aside, YouTube uploaders can now convert their videos in a post-production format with the click of a mouse.
Today we’re launching 2D to 3D conversion. Once you’ve uploaded your 2D videos to YouTube, you can convert them to 3D with the click of a button. Converted videos will be viewable by everyone in 3D. You’ll still get best results with a 3D camera, but it’s a great new way to let people enjoy your finest moments. You’ll find this feature by selecting “Edit Info”, then “3D Video” on a video you’ve uploaded. (Note, you’ll still need glasses to watch on most devices.)
It will be interesting to see just how many jump on the “YouTube videos in 3D” bandwagon. With that in mind, do you still consider 3D to be a gimmick or is it a feature that couldn’t get here soon enough?
Other features introduced by YouTube includes the video time limit removal for verified accounts. Until today, the time limit, even for YouTube power users, was 15 minutes. If you meet YouTube’s criteria as a verified user, you can now upload full-length videos. To facilitate these longer uploads, YouTube has also introduced a “resumable uploads” feature, something that does pretty much what it says. If your connection fails during an extended upload, you can resume it once the connection issues are resolved.
In the link YouTube provided, it’s also revealed that the size limit for these larger uploads is 20GB. From their explanation:
Chrome and Firefox 4+ users can not only upload files of a size up to 20GB, but it is also possible to resume uploads if your connection drops, and recover uploads even if you leave the page. When you return to the upload page and attempt the same file again, the progress bar will jump to where it was before.
Another feature YouTube uploaders will be able to enjoy is the ability to edit and add effects. While on-the-fly editing has been launched already in YouTube, their blog entry actually introduces two new editing services uploaders will now have access to in YouTube’s Create area:
We’re adding two additional video creation platforms for you to make your videos even better: Vlix and Magisto. Vlix lets you spice up your videos by adding cool effects and text to the video intro and closing. Magisto takes your unedited video and automatically edits it into short, fun clips.
There’s a video of both services in action, as well:
While YouTube was never in danger of falling back to the pack, at least at this juncture in our lives, such capabilities will only make the service stand out even further, especially once you add the 3D conversion to your video.