Google Video Player: Do I need this?

Google Video Player lets you download and watch videos in full high-resolution quality instead of the low quality streamed video available at video.google.com. Videos that contain detailed visual information (like application demos or code samples) must be viewed in their native resolution to discern fine details. This player combined with downloaded video solves the problem of “fuzzy” (but fast) streamed video available online. Google makes a downloadable player for Windows and Mac (though I didn’t test this). Look to this player to become increasingly important as YouTube is ushered into the Google family.

Download and manage Google video

The following information is specific to the Windows Google Video player downloaded on Windows XP. This information is offered as a “Tip” for when you need to get more from your Google video (and soon from your YouTube video).

Thumbnail view makes navigation easier

Why Download?

The player has the following features that are not available on the web:

• Thumbnails break the video up into chunks (think DVD chapters or the video preview page with thumbnails) making navigation and replay easier
• Various sizes are available: half size, double size, full screen (and do not restart the video when you change sizes)
• Video information is available in a text box for easy copy and pasting
• Videos are saved in Windows XP under My Documents > My Videos by default with an extension of .GVI (download location is configurable)
• Offers DirectX and OpenGL support on Windows to improve video performance
• Jump to various parts in the video more easily and even go frame by frame

Google account integration

Google Video player lets you log-in with your Google account, providing some type of integration. I presumed there would be some tagging capability but I see nothing of the sort in version 1.0.3.3 of the player. One can execute search queries from the bottom bar of Google video player which I imagine are saved as part of Google’s Personalized Search (for those that log-in and have this service enabled).

Google Video player mentions this player plays “free and purchased” video available through Google video. I’m assuming the Google account integration has something to do with purchased video as well, but I have not purchased any video through Google so I can’t verify this.

Conclusion

The version I downloaded (1.0.3.3) takes up about 7MB of disk space and does not appear to play any other video formats. Some reviewers are disappointed that Google video player does not support other video formats.

If you need to download Google video and you are on one of the supported platforms, you’ll want to grab this lightweight download for its thumbnail feature and its ability to help you organize your Google (and soon YouTube?) video downloads. The Democracy internet video content platform is an increasingly popular method of discovering and viewing internet video content. As YouTube content and Google content become accessible from the same search queries (after Google’s acquisition of YouTube is complete), the massive collection of video will likely overshadow newcomer Democracy in the video discovery area. In the player department however, Democracy has a real leg-up on Google Video player. It would be interesting if Google scrapped Google Video player and acquired Democracy (or added to the open source project) to improve the features and support on the “player side” of the internet video arena. “Stay tuned” as the the internet video market matures.