We are ready to announce the results of the series of experiments “HUMAN vs. MACHINE”.

Prehistory: HUMAN VS. MACHINE

4 machine editing services on one side and 1 MyMovieLab human editing team on the other. To be more precise, one our video editor. Also very human. At least at the first sight :) Ok, deal. Flesh and blood, for sure :)

Our tester tried to be non-prejudicial. He used the same video material in every case. Every case turned out to be quite specific and different.
So enjoy :)

Day 1. Experiment #1

USER EXPERIENCE: user friendly interface
EDITING TIME: 60 mins (+20 mins for downloading)
DOWNLOAD FACILITY: +
VISUAL FILTERS: +
MUSIC: +
COST: Free
ADDITIONAL: 5 Gb cloud storage, licensed songs – 50.
COMMENTS: Complicated to compile several videos (I really tried to, but didn’t manage). Not obvious how to cut music track if the video output is bigger than the track. Short list of tracks available. Cut publish time for free use (5 min/month).
CONCLUSION: If the result is not satisfying, you cannot discuss it with someone. The only thing is to redo. Effective work with 1 video only.

Day 2. Experiment #2

USER EXPERIENCE: only 3 steps to accomplish – upload, choose theme and music.
EDITING TIME: 10 mins (60 mins saving time)
DOWNLOAD FACILITY: –
VISUAL FILTERS: +
MUSIC: +
COST: Free
ADDITIONAL: up to 15 mins, up to 15 clips.
COMMENTS: I feel lucky feature. Just for fun.
CONCLUSION: No changes available – title, track, theme. You need to make another movie instead. The process is fully automatized. Shoots for movie are chosen by computer, not user.

Day 3. Experiment #3

No video output

USER EXPERIENCE: not clear what to do.
EDITING TIME: 60 mins (uploading time and trying to get through)
DOWNLOAD FACILITY: –
VISUAL FILTERS: –
MUSIC: to be uploaded or recorded
COST: $4.99 per month (or $3.99 per month billed annually)
ADDITIONAL: max file size 2 Gb
CONCLUSION: not obvious steps to perform. FAQ do not contain any helpful information.

Day 3. Experiment #4

No video output

USER EXPERIENCE: it was not an experience, but a range of obstacles. You feel like you are a part of someone’s game.
EDITING TIME: 10 mins on Ubuntu system (cannot be operated) and 20 mins on Windows. No patience left.
DOWNLOAD FACILITY: +
VISUAL FILTERS: +
MUSIC: +
COST: $3,99-7,99 per month
ADDITIONAL: Microsoft Windows operating system only. Additional plugins and definite browsers needed.
CONCLUSION: For very patient users.

Day 4. Experiment #5

USER EXPERIENCE: only 5 steps – length selection, price agreement, files upload, movie comments and registration
EDITING TIME: 2 days
DOWNLOAD FACILITY: +
VISUAL FILTERS: +
MUSIC: +
COST: suggested price was $39, I proposed $35 and we dealt.
ADDITIONAL: I chose the final length of the movie – 3 minutes, but then I received a letter from Support where they suggested the length of the movie 2 mins, because there was not enough material for 3 minutes movie.
CONCLUSION: You can discuss every detail with the Support Team. You can also ask advice. This movie is a compilation one (they used the materials from several cameras – my GoPro and a video from Mackau Tower Crew)
COMMENTS: I am happy to have one great Bungee Makau video. Every time I promise to myself to collect all the videos and make one general movie from the trip, but every time I failed because of absence of time or skills. I am ready to pay such amount (quite acceptable as you see) to have a great movie to be made by professionals.

Summing up, we would love to share our thoughts. Nowadays the part of machine labour can really impress anyone. A lot can be done by machines. But talking about definite fields we still cannot agree that machines are not worth. And video editing among them. The level of the output is quite satisfactory, but not perfect. Machine won’t be successful in good shoots selection or several videos compilation… Only human can do that. Maybe just yet…

So in the contest “HUMAN vs. MACHINE” — HUMAN WINS!

(carrying our winner in our arms, сelebrating him)