Actually don’t do that, Geek Squad in no way condones or endorses people setting off random explosions…it’s dangerous and probably bad for the environment too. However, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to crowbar in an AC/DC reference there, even if that particular album doesn’t quite stand up to next to classics like Back in Black and Highway to Hell…but I’m digressing.
Your trusty old VCR may well be obsolete now, and not just because of DVD, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD (possibly already more obsolete than video!). If you want something to watch, more and more people are turning to the web. You don’t even have to look very far. Television itself is evolving, with services like Sky plus freeing people from traditional scheduling. However, even if you haven’t taken the plunge into digital video recorders the major terrestrial channels are making it easier to watch their programmes whenever you want. Broadband connections are fast enough to transmit audio and video in near real-time, known as streaming, and you can now watch your favourite programmes online. The BBC’s iPlayer service lets you choose from the last 7 days programming, Channel 4 On Demand has both free and premium content available whilst ITV have recently launched Catch Up. In addition to their core programming there’s often extra content available either on the websites in the form of podcasts, little video snippets ideal for watching on a portable media player like an iPod.
If you look a little further a field there's loads of independent film-maker posting material on the web...and this has never been easier thanks the the phenomenon that is YouTube. Video on the web isn't particularly new, however YouTube was the first site to run primarily on user created and user uploaded content. All of a sudden everyone could have their own private TV channel – you didn't need to host your own site...as long as you could film it you could broadcast it to the world.
Youtubers record all sorts of videos, personal video diaries, music videos or even mini TV shows. You'll also find corporate stuff as most media companies have recognised the power of YouTube, so you'll find the likes of the BBC and Paramount releasing news and clips. If you want to get in on the act it couldn't be simpler, a Youtube account lets you upload anything you record...you can use a video camera, webcam or even your mobile phone.
Those funny video clips that get shared all over the world are called viral videos, because of the speed at which they spread and many of the people in them have become stars in their own right, whether they wanted to or not! To give you an idea of what's out there, we at Geek Squad Towers have compiled a list of our top 10 viral videos...
1) Chad Vader - we're the Geek Squad, therefore we love Star Wars and we love Darth Vader. This is the story of his less successful younger brother Chad, from Blame Society films.
2) Numa Numa dance – lip-synching videos are relatively common on Youtube, but Gary Brolsma's interpretation of “Dragostea din tei” by Moldovan pop group O-Zone is the daddy of them all.
3) Star Wars Kid – moral: if you're going to video yourself using a golf ball retriever as a pretend light-saber, don't let your “friends” find it.
4) Canon Rock – Youtuber “Funtwo” became an internet sensation with his modern reworking of Johann Pachelbel's “Canon in D”, although credit must also go to Jerry C who arranged it first.
5) Pachelbel Rant – Pachelbel's newly rediscovered popularity is a double-edged sword, however, as US comedian Rob Paravonian explains most eloquently
6) Miss South Carolina – single-handedly wiping away every misconception you ever had about beauty pageant entrants.
7) The dramatic prairie dog – or is it a chipmunk? Somebody noticed that this little fellow looked oddly concerned, and another meme was born.
8) Chocolate Rain – Tay Zonday has a...unique voice, this is his finest hour. It's spawned many imitators, even Chad Vader got in on the act.
9) The Asian Backstreet Boys – arguably far more charismatic than the real thing, this video is also noticeable for their seemingly oblivious room-mate who spends the whole time playing Counter Strike.
10) Ok Go treadmills – Ok Go were a little-known band until their innovative video for “Here It Goes Again” became a viral hit and made them worldwide stars.
