Bereninga

You’ve read it right: the iPhone 4 does not upload HD video to YouTube or Facebook. The only possible way to upload HD video is through a computer that has downloaded the HD video from the iPhone 4. Yes, I know, it’s quite disappointing. I felt it first-hand when I tried uploading “HD” video to both of these sites. On YouTube, video is at least uploaded in 320p. On Facebook, the video is compressed so much that the quality pretty much goes to crap. I actually uploaded an HD video to Facebook last night through my Macbook Pro but it still has yet to show up.

Even when I’m on WiFi the videos are left looking pretty sad. I’m actually quite disappointed in Apple for leaving out this major detail, especially in marketing their product. They just happened to leave out that you actually can’t upload an HD video via iPhone 4. Amongst other disappointments, I wonder what other surprises show up. I’ve linked some videos below of video I’ve recorded and uploaded through the iPhone 4. It also peeves me that Facebook labels the video “HD” when it clearly (unintended pun) is not. I can’t even remove the HD label either!

YouTube went widescreen yesterday. Does this imply that YouTube will eventually start having HD content? Maybe, but not for a long time. It already took them this long to go 16:9. Sucks for folks with smaller screens! Standards are moving up.

There’s been a lot of discussion about whether physical media will live or not for movies and video. All I can say is that for now physical media will live. Here are the reasons:

1. Right now, the space needed for HD is too demanding. Movies in 1080p can take up to 50GB of space. That’s a ton. Unless you have 1TB or more, movies will remain on disks. Imagine how much HDD you’ll need for only 10 movies. That’s already half a terabyte!
2. Currently, there is no reliable download service that is fast enough for videophiles who want the best quality available immediately. Sorry AppleTV and Netflix and any other on-demand “HD” service out there, but 720p/1080i will not cut it. It will take a considerable amount of time to d/l a movie of such great sizes.
3. People want the best and 1080p will only satisfy that thirst for true high definition and quality sound. This relates to reason #2. Why settle?
4. Also, people like to go to the store and pick up the cases. Sure, the quality is in the movie. However, a lot lies within the case designs and extras if the consumer really likes the flick. Lately and unfortunately, cases have been pretty sparse. Don’t you miss the old days when movies used to come with some cool stuff inside? Cool covers look nice on a shelf as well. Think of how books decorate your shelf.
5. Be realistic, technology takes time and HD streaming is too far ahead of it. For our lives right now, Bluray is the best option. Who knows how long it will take for true HD to reach streaming technology. Call us high-quality folk fools, but we’re definitely not going to sit around and wait for streaming technology to catch up. Bluray FTW!