AMAZON PAYS FOR YOUR VIDEO

Amazon Pays for Your Video

If you like shooting video, this may be for you. On May 10, the world’s largest online retailer opened a new streaming video platform. Called Amazon Video Direct, it will enable users to upload video and earn royalties for it. Amazon apparently intends to compete directly with YouTube.

In addition to its retail services, Amazon operates its own streaming service in competition with Netflix and Hulu.

The new platform will offer the uploaded content for rent or purchase, free viewing with ads, or as part of a packaged subscription service. Contributors will receive 50% of rental or sale receipts, or 55% of ad revenue. Amazon says it will also award a total of $1 million each month  to the creators of the 100 programs viewed by the most Prime members.

The platform’s content will be available for viewing in the United States, Japan, Germany, Austria, and the United Kingdom.

Amazon says that its new video platform is geared for “professional video producers”, but the only stipulations it has published are that all video must be in high definition (HD) and must include closed captions for the hearing impaired.

Taking advantage of this offer will require more than talent and a video camera. To upload video, you will need a high-speed internet connection.

There are several ways to get sufficient bandwidth. The most obvious one is a cable or fiber connection. Most telecoms and cable system operators offer internet plans with enough bandwidth for uploading video, but you should ask to be sure. Some of their more basic internet service tiers won’t be adequate.

Satellite internet service can work, but it has one glaring drawback: latency. The satellite signal is bounced off of a satellite 22,500 miles up, so it takes about half a second for the round trip. For Skype phone calls, or for interactive gaming, the delay is fatal. If you’re not using the internet for these purposes, though, a satellite web service may work for you.

WiFi services can work, but they vary wildly in speed and reliability, and their data caps are low. If you’re used to a wired internet service, WiFi data caps can seem intolerably restrictive.

To compare all internet services available where you live, shop with Bundle Deals. We’re an independent clearing house. Because we’re not bound by any single provider, we can give you objective information about all of your options. Compare all providers and plans here. Then order any service with just one phone call.

Talk to us. We can help.