Video clips of Saddam Hussein’s execution have been published to YouTube, Google Video and other video sharing sites. The grainy, poorly-filmed footage is a chilling example of the state of user-created media.

“We won’t pass judgement on those that want to see the clip, but what’s becoming abundantly clear is that information can no longer be suppressed - with cameraphones, video-sharing sites and thousands of independent bloggers, not to mention the social filters and rating systems that help us find the most interesting content, this media will always become available online,” notes Pete Cashmore at Mashable!.

While an argument can be made that the execution footage has news value, it seems that there’s a strong likelihood that other, less newsworthy footage of death, torture and sadism are now more likely to be distributed via video sharing sites. The scandal that the United States faced over Abu Ghraib could be easily be dwarfed by camera phone footage of similar incidents.

YouTube and other sharing sites are likely to make changes to adapt to more graphic content, but it’s already clear that without massive changes, it will be impossible to keep the sites from being used to distribute videos that are more graphic and potentially disturbing than ever shown on television.

Diversion Web Publishing has introduced a new site, DivShare, that promises to let you upload anything and share it to the Internet forever.

“DivShare is a free file hosting service for everyone,” according to the site. “No registration required!”

Features (per DivShare):

* Upload unlimited files
* Serve unlimited downloads
* Files stay online forever
* No pop-up ads or spam
* Incredibly fast, reliable servers

The only catch is that, at some point in time, DivShare will have to come up with a business model to pay for this.

via Podcasting News

The vloggers at Rocketboom have the scoop on John Edwards’ presidential candidacy:

“We just filmed John Edwards’ first announcement that he is running for president,” writes Andrew Baron at his blog. “We also got an interview with him which I will post early in the morning on Rocketboom, well before the rest of the press will meet him for his formal press announcement.”

Here’s Edwards making his announcement to the world of podcast fans:

The rest of the world will have to wait for mainstream media coverage…..

More coverage at Podtech and Pulver.com.

MadZ Software has announcedthe release of version 2.5 of its DVD to iPod / PSP Video Converter software. DVD to iPod / PSP Video Converter rips DVD video files and converts them into the appropriate format for uploading to and viewing on an Apple iPod Video or a Sony PSP.
With DVD to iPod / PSP Video Converter 2.5, you can convert almost all DVDs for play on an iPod Video or Sony PSP, including purchased DVDs, original DVDs, DVD copies, even downloaded DVDs. The input video can be in either NTSC or Pal format. For multilanguage DVDs, you can even choose which soundtrack language to convert. You also have full control over which titles and chapters are converted. Also, you can control the output format such as setting a custom sample rate for audio and custom resolution and bit rate (quality vrs. size) for video.

DVD to iPod / PSP Video Converter also features a preview function that allows you to preview DVD title and/or specific chapters prior to conversion or monitor the video during the conversion process.

You will also be automatically notified you when software updates are available, and at your command, the updates will be downloaded and installed free of charge.

Works with Windows XP and 2000.

A demo version is available.

Applian Technologies has announced Replay A/V version 8, an all-in-one streaming media recorder and file converter. Replay A/V 8 will capture video clips and music, record live, schedule recordings, and automatically convert to 36 different video and audio formats.

This latest version includes several new features designed to make capturing your favorite media even easier. These features include:

• “Media Paks” which allow customers to record all the popular shows in
  interest categories like Politics, Business, Technology or Comedy with
  a single click.
• A “Recording Wizard” to help guide customers through the program’s
  many recording functions.
• Improved video capture capability designed to easily find and name
  videos from the top video sites including YouTube, Google and
  MySpace.
• The capability to record from Webcams and TV Tuner Cards.

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