BBC Launches their Motion Gallery

The BBC has launched the BBC Motion Gallery, with over 10,000 video clips, and I am stoked. Now if I can just keep out of the timesink long enough to write the review... You can see the Gallery at http://www.bbcmotiongallery.com/customer/index.jsp .

You know me; I went right to the search page. The simple search lets you search by keyword and category, while the advanced search adds additional variables for media, shot, and time/weather (HINT: the advanced search area with all the checkboxes is tabbed.)

A simple search for rugby in all categories found five results. (Maybe searching for proper names is better; "Ringo Starr" found eight results.) Results include a still, a number, and the length of the clip. Click on the clip and you'll get additional information including description, keywords (LOTS o' keywords), and shot information. To view the clip you'll have to note if you're broadband or dialup, but you won't be able to actually view a clip until you become a member of the BBC Motion Gallery.

Registration is free but it does ask for a lot of information. Once you're registered you're able to stream video clips or download them. Strangely enough I could not stream the videos, but I could download them and play them no problem. (It might be because I use Opera.) The clips have a Motion Gallery watermark on them that's noticeable but not too distracting. Since you're registered, you have the option to drop the clips you're viewing into a "bin," and once there create sub-bins, organize your clips, etc. You can also save searches.

Nicely, nicely done. Would be better if I could play the clips from the browser; might have to try this site again with IE.

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