Very basic editing/compilation tools, almost too dumbed-down to provide any real creativity. You definitely need to buy a single video or annual pass, as the free 30 second video is completely unusable. Therefore, this is perfect for those who regularly do, or would like to, create AVs or videos for personal or commercial use. Shelling out $30 for unlimited full-length videos sounds like a relatively good deal, as does the $249 commercial Pro license.
Animoto is a critically acclaimed site that has won several awards since its launch in 2007, from the Best Design Award at The 2009 Crunchies, the Best Services and Applications Website at the 2009 Webby Awards, to the Best Website of the Year at NBC’s TechNow! In fact, even their mobile app has been lauded as the Best Video Mobile App at the Mobie Awards.
What exactly does it do? Well, you can call it an online video producing/editing application, which allows you to create an audio-visual combining text, photos,video clips and music. It’s simple, easy to use, and can be accessed anywhere.
Seems like a good idea? Well it is not free! While you have the option of creating as many free 30-second videos as you want – to watch, share and save them – it is really just to whet your appetite, and give you a taste of the application’s potential. How many pictures and videos can you squeeze into 30 seconds anyway? Animoto will even skip images if they don’t fit into the 30 second limit. Believe me, 30 seconds wasn’t enough to fit 4 text screens and 4 images at default speed “Image pacing” settings (you can only change speeds in full-length videos), resulting in my last two slides being skipped.
It is only when you pay for the service that Animoto really becomes useful. You can pay $3 for a single full-length video, or, $30 for an All-Access Pass that allows for unlimited full-length videos for 1 year. Free or paid, videos will be branded “Animoto.com” at the end of the video, unless you choose to go the Animoto Pro way (for $249 a year, or $99 for a three-month trial), which will allow you unlimited hi-resolution videos that are unbranded and have a commercial use license.
Closing comments on Animoto
Very basic editing/compilation tools, almost too dumbed-down to provide any real creativity. You definitely need to buy a single video or annual pass, as the free 30 second video is completely unusable. Therefore, this is perfect for those who regularly do, or would like to, create AVs or videos for personal or commercial use. Shelling out $30 for unlimited full-length videos sounds like a relatively good deal, as does the $249 commercial Pro license.
Pros:
1. Simple interface requiring no editing experience to use
2. Quick creation/rendering times
3. Create a video any time and anywhere, not requiring any installation
4. Very easy to share videos
Cons:
1. Simple interface that gives very limited functionality
2. No way to choose what sort of transition occurs between images and videos, instead is done automatically
3. Not free!
Overall Score: 3
Presentation: 3.5
Interface: 2.5
Functionality: 2
Value for Money: 3.5
Wondering how simple Animoto is to use? Check out the site-flow, from the sign-in to watching your video:
1. Sign-in/Register
2. Let’s get your IMAGERY
– Upload images/video in sequence
– Add text/spotlights (if required)
– Rotate/duplicate/delete/shuffle content (if required)
3. Let’s choose some MUSIC
– Choose from Animoto Collection or Upload MP3s
4. Finalize your VIDEO
Customize your video
– Choose “Video length”
– Choose “Image pacing” speed
– Choose “Video cover screen”
Enter Video Info
– Update Title/Description/Producer Name
Create Video
5. Animoto will “produce your video”, by processing, analysing, and rendering.
6. Watch Video
– Share with friends on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, or Email
7. Use Video Toolbox
– Remix/Edit/Delete/Export Video
– Share/Embed Video
– Create New Video
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