Hi Everyone,

I'm just beta testing a new flash based FREE-Single which is ad sponsored. It is in the FLV format and will feature ads from ad network Adbrite. You can share the player in websites and also on Myspace, Bebo etc. It is one of a few formats which i am looking at to try and address the mp-FREE mob and also to recoup some cash whilst promoting a track on the net.

Click here to test

As usual feedback on functionality, ease of use and are the ads annoying. Try to view it as a consumer would.

One other thing is that with the player flanked by Google Ads at least that page is monetised which helps to recoup the FREE-Single. I did think about it being downloadable but decided against this as the popular appeal of Youtube and Myspace makes a download version not needed. Then there is the not so subtle advert in stream for fans to SMS to buy the track if they like it.
As far as the player is concerned i will also test it with Revver who also have a payment system and are getting a big push down here thanks to a tie-in with www.msn.com.au.

Ps: If this goes well i will use the site to show music from artists who are also using the format.
Let's wage war against the copyright thieves Myspace and Youtube who should be clobbered for not signing up to the JOL agreement while other sites like Last.Fm are paying for music on their sites.

Well done VHP.

A very logical site and it all works and loads fine and fast, the consumer will understand the workings as it similar to operating a Youtube page, I didnt notice the ads, which is a point in itself as any advertisers would want them noticing more.
I can`t really comment on the track as it`s not a genre I deal in, which is why the co-op a+r idea is important even in pop music.Sounds very good and fresh though.

Nice one KZ.

My version was very jumpy in playback (I'm in Firefox if that helps). It's a good idea. The ad was quite discreet and a little irrelevant, which is something that also depends on the availability of advertising. But I would give it some thought as the advertisers will need some click-through.

The design of the site itself could be upgraded if you want to make it a destination, rather than a blog-style page.

Good work and good luck!

Hi there,

Thanks for your feedback so far. Well interesting info regarding the firefox situation. I will have a look at it in my Firefox browser.

As i said im beta testing the actual flv video format as a means of giving away a Free-single as thanks to recent debates raging on this site as well as ROTD i can see it working and in fact it is inevitable and we need to find a way of monetizing it asap.
I have updated the URL so that it appears on its own page and I can easily put it on its own dedicated page non-blog style as well but i favour the blog approach as it enables easy feedback and can easily be a one stop shop for other artists who are using the same format or idea.

Skips like crazy in Safari KZ; impossible to listen

Ok thanks for your feedback. JK Im going to try a different player as this one seems to only work with IE and other browsers are having problems. Will keep you posted.

I let it go to the aol player and it was smooth.

Worked absolutely fine on AOL - ads not a problem as screen disappeared behind the AOL browser, and track continued to play.

Works great for me, love it.

Hi Everyone i have uploaded the Revver based version using Revver for the back end. Im going to be testing both methods but i am drawn to the Revver version because using Quicktime the audio quality is better than the flash version for some reason. Also Quicktime will make people like JK and other Mac users happy.
Both methods use Adverising to compensate content developers and Revver have got good distribution outlets for TV, mobile and of course the web. Let me know how it works for you, especially the ads at the end.

I see no adverts on the page - could be because I'm using Firefox with Adblock or it could be I misunderstood where the ads are.

The issue with relying on adverts is people have got very good at blocking them.

Tried in IE7 to see ads and got a pop-up message... "Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close". Close it did - something crashed IE7

Oh... nothing happened (Firefox) when I clicked the yellow link.

er, not happening for me DJKZ...sorry.