YouTube streamlines its video uploader, bumps size limits

Over the weekend YouTube quietly began testing a new uploading tool for users to publish their videos. The tool now allows users to begin plugging in information fields about the video while the upload is happening, much like Viddler, Vimeo, and others have offered for years. The company is testing the new player with a small number of its users, although you can access it with a special link.

The new uploader lets you edit data while the video is uploading. (Click to enlarge.)

(Credit: CNET Networks)

The company has also increased the size limit of uploaded video files from 100MB to 1GB. This should open things up dramatically for people who are shooting in high-quality VGA video mode on their digital cameras, something that can turn a one-minute video capture into files that would have exceeded the previous limits.

The updated uploader also now lets users upload multiple video files at once. You can either do this when selecting the file, or while any previous videos are in the process of being uploaded. The tool allows for up to 10 videos a time, which means you can start up additional clips as soon as older ones have made it through. Doing so does not interrupt whatever file is currently uploading, which is a nice touch.

Two things that have not changed with the uploading process are the video time limits and long processing times, both of which are the same. Videos are capped at 10 minutes, and you still have to wait longer than your video's length for the system to process your video for viewing. As for the processing, there's nothing you can do, however, if you want to get longer-form videos on the service you can try your luck at becoming a YouTube partner which lifts the cap.

Related: YouTube sucks: 4 sites that do video better

[benjaminstraight]

where is YouTube getting the server space?

[Josh.Lowensohn]

Probably the massive data storage facility in the Dalles: http://harpers.org/media/slideshow/annot/2008-03/anno.gif

[RealEstateBlackBook]

Sweet. Once again, Google is taking another step to leave its competition behind. I'm glad they increased the video size limit to 1 GB. I had videos that were over 100MB and under 10 minutes that couldn't be uploaded before. Now, all that has changed.

I wonder when they'll up the time limit. That would be even better.

Peter

[whizkid454]

I believe the time limit is imposed to deter people uploading TV shows/ movies.

[knowles2]

Probably never as it would make even easier for people upload TV shows.