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Google Video (beta)

Reviewed by

Troy Dreier

on 02/07/2006

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CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
Detailed editors' rating
Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 reviews
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The good: Google Video hosts thousands of titles, most of them free, which are viewable online on Windows or Macintosh PCs. Most free videos can be downloaded in video iPod- or PSP-compatible formats. Google Video does feature some decent commercial content, including CBS programs.

The bad: Google Video has almost no organization of content, and paid content comes in a wide range of prices. Paid content is in a proprietary format, is not transferable to any portable devices at this point, and requires Google Video Player, which works only on Windows 2000 and XP systems.

The bottom line: It turns out that an open, sprawling interface works better for a search engine than a video store. Google Video will have to take a few categorization notes from Yahoo if it's ever going to challenge the iTunes Music Store.

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CNET editors' review

CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
Detailed editors' rating

Reviewed by:
Troy Dreier
Edited by:
James Kim
Reviewed on: 02/07/2006
Released on: 12/01/2005

This review will probably need updating quickly, because we can't imagine a company as successful and motivated as Google leaving a high-profile product in a state such as this for long. Google's entry into the online video marketplace looks rushed, and it lacks organization, ease, and any forethought about how people shop.

Unmistakably a Google product, the video store has the company's signature sparse, white interface with an emphasis on searching, rather than Yahoo-like categorization. The top of the home page features commercial content from CBS, BMG music, and others, offering well-known names such as Survivor, CSI, and NBA basketball. As of the posting of this review, you can even browse and play back all commercials shown during Super Bowl XL. Lower on the page, you'll find selections of popular and random free videos. A quick browse will uncover a gigantic library of video clips and shows.

The Google Video home page.

It's with paid content that Google Video mostly misses the mark. Videos can range in price dramatically, from 99 cents to $14.99, instead of a standard price; the iTunes Music Store charges $1.99 for videos. More expensive shows can often be purchased for less with a day pass, for those who are content to watch a show but not own it. Purchased content is available only to Windows 2000 and XP users and is in a proprietary GVI format, which can be played only with Google's free, no-frills player and can't be transferred to a portable device. With restrictions such as that, it's obvious that Google misunderstood why the iTunes Music Store's video sales made such a splash.

The no-frills Google Video player.

Most helpful user reviews

Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 reviews
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Showing 3 of 7 user reviews
5.0 stars

2 out of 2 people found this helpful

"Its free, and better than anything else"

by Dustout on February 7, 2006
3.0 stars

1 out of 1 people found this helpful

"Google video - letting the side down"

by monkeyhouse on February 8, 2006
4.0 stars

1 out of 1 people found this helpful

"Great source of misc videos"

by mfed3 on February 7, 2006
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Google Video (beta)

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Visit the developer's Web site for a free download.

Recent user reviews

Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 reviews
My rating: 0 stars Write review

Showing 3 of 7 user reviews
3.0 stars

"Good first effort"

by my_three_sons on June 26, 2006
2.0 stars

"Needs allot of work"

by peestandingup on February 11, 2006
3.0 stars

1 out of 1 people found this helpful

"Google video - letting the side down"

by monkeyhouse on February 8, 2006
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Google Video (beta)

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1. Rate this product:: (Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
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