TotalVid from Verizon: Can This Video Download Site Attract a Specialty Viewer?

Verizon Online presents TotalVid, a video downloading service that offers enthusiast, education and instructional videos. TheTotalVid service offers non-Hollywood productions that can't be found at the local rental store. The topics range from comedy to home improvement. A look at TotalVid's online list of the top 100 videos shows that "Love and Intimacy" and "Action Sports" make up many of the most popular videos. Segments from The Weather Channel's "Storm Stories" are also viewed often. This unique make-up of video selection is one of the appealing features that makes TotalVid unique. But will it be enough to attract a worthwhile audience?

Verizon describes TotalVid's thousands of videos as being full length and of high quality. When downloading some videos to a PC, there are two versions available, one quick-downloading lower quality verion (300 kbps) and a larger-sized high quality version (700 kbps). It was noted on the TotalVid.com website that many of the newer videos will only be available in a very high quality version (1500 kbps). For those with high-speed connections, a 45-minute video may take anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes, depending on video quality.

While individual items in the library can be "rented" for as low as $1.99 (unlimited views for 7 days), the unlimited download plan gives full access to any of the videos for $8.95 per month. In addition to renting and subscribing, many videos have options to purchase the download (for unlimited use) and even an option to purchase the physical DVD, which would come to the user in the mail.

The service is definitely not a copy-cat site that gives the same selection of new releases and favorites ("favorites" is another term for "older movies"). These videos have somewhat unique appeal. Many of the physical DVDs ranges in price from $17.95 to $34.95, so these are videos of significant value. The issue is that the value may be held by a smaller subset of individuals. These are not mass-distributed Hollywood movies that have broad appeal, but each has a specialty appeal that may not be satisfied elsewhere. This appears to be analogous to the wide selection of specialty programming that cable and satellite television has brought us (i.e. Golf Channel, History Channel, Sci-Fi Channel, and Lifetime for women). For example, a lookup of "golf" in the TotalVid library pulled up 75 videos on the game. This category was lead by "Taking It To The Next Level In Golf with Roger Gunn - Beginner - Full Swing," and even included a video clip to see if this is the video for you. Not bad.

So, if you're looking for a more creative outlet than watching traditional movies, TotalVid may have something for you. This program's unique blend of specialty and instructional videos provides a service that may be currently untapped. If the DIY (Do It Yourself) network and Style channel can create appeal by focussing on a target audience, then this download service can hit those niche audiences, too. Take a look at TotalVid.com and see if there is something for you. You can even give it a free test drive for 7 days.