Here’s something a little different to review: an online web audio/video contest site called Bix. It’s currently in the dreaded invite-only status and I’m not sure how many invites one can send out, which I’ll get back to in a little bit. You can also sign up at the site for an invite like I did. It took about a day for an invite to arrive to my inbox. Clicking the coded link in the invite email will then allow registering. You know the drill.

First, the bad news: Bix doesn’t work with Firefox yet. So you either suffer through the Internet Explorer version with ActiveX plugin or move over to Safari or Camino with Java. I didn’t test the Safari or Camino with Java hookup, but did put the ActiveX through several recording sessions. You will need a web camera if you want record video and similar to the Grouper shoutouts feature you can do it right through the browser with no additional software.

Karaoke anyone?
Once registering for Bix, login and search for contests to view and vote on, enter or create your own contest. Contests range from lipsync to static pictures to Karaoke where you pick from the built-in database of songs and then Karaoke on camera. I’m not sure whether or not these Bix are licensed for this, but I hope the answer is yes.

The karaoke functionality would be great if it worked completely during my testing. I tried recording Indian Nation by Paul Revere & The Raiders at least three times and it wouldn’t complete the upload process without errors. There was no way to save the video locally so I basically lost each recording take (very frustrating). When uploading Bix kept erroring out with “your title is too long. Maximum length 50 characters.” Strangely, there was no input field for a title so I don’t know have any idea what was up there. The support forum is a ghost town, no hope there.

Actually recording, previewing and re-recording through the browser worked ok. The lyrics spin across a mini-teleprompter in the browser at the right moments during the song. The song selection is a little suspect, unless you are a Beatles, country or pop fan with a few hundred songs to choose from maybe. On the Bix site it says they are working on expanding the song database.

Thumbs up your way to $7,500 USD
There is a 60 second comedy contest where the first prize is $7,500 USD for the most thumbs up votes, with no number of entries limit. Looks like I was the first one brave — or stupid — enough to enter and upload.

Fortunately, the comedy part worked the first take. Just add a title and short description and click the upload button. After a couple minutes — yeah, kind of slow — it uploaded the video and added to the searchable database. I noticed that the most recent recorded video shows up on the homepage for added exposure. I took a screenshot that shows me no the homepage for my comedy entry.

If you have some comedic genius just itching to get out, $7,500 for a few minutes prep and work is well worth a try. What do you have to lose besides your video dignity? I entered with not one but two videos: Whistle Drink and One dollar, 41 cents. Note: those links will only work once you are registered for the site, which I’m happy to send you an invititation if I can for the rest of July 2006 or until I run out of invites, if you leave a comment below. The invite will be sent to the email you use in your comments.

And the audience votes, American Idol style
It didn’t take very long to receive my first thumbs down vote. And thumbs up vote too. And more came. And shocker, I attracted one fan. Maybe I can quit my dreams of being a writer and become the next Dave Chappelle? Just a few more fans and I’ll keep my eyes peeled for the paparazzi.

From the user side, you can view videos, listen to audio-only productions, leave comments and vote thumbs up or thumbs down and of course invite your friends to check it out.

If Bix works out the quirks and technical glitches — of which I encountered several — they might have something more interactive than … well, more interactive than YouTube until YouTube decides to add similar contest features and functionality. I’m kind of surprised YouTube hasn’t done something like this already.

Bix is similar to hitting the Karaoke bar without the designated driver and headaches and scarred memories the next morning. The headaches being for those who need a little spiritual lubrication motivation to get up on stage and torture real singers William Hung style, but I wouldn’t know anything about that, of course.

It’s too bad the Karaoke upload function wouldn’t work for me because I think my comedic, clumsy rendition of Indian Nation complete with fire, smoke, handcuffs and Tabasco sauce would have made The Raiders proud. Maybe I’ll try again on the Mac with iSight someday.

Did this post make you go hmm?

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