A recently launched, free media player enables Web camera-equipped computer users to post live, streaming video content on their blog, Myspace or other Web site.

Advanced Video Communications, a Los Angeles-based company specializing in video chat and e-commerce systems, launched its Stickam media player in February.

"Our player isn't just video," said Aaron Novak, Stickam's chief marketing officer. "It is gathering all the media."

Stickam combines video, photos, music and chat functions in one application. Users can even upload media from their cell phone.

"People just use it as a social tool, mostly," Novak said.

Application users upload their video or other media to post, log onto their Stickam accounts and simply cut and paste Java script or HTML (hypertext markup language - the programming language generally used to create Web pages) code directly onto their blog or other Web site.

"Any user can visit your site and see your video and chat with you," Novak said.

Stickam has about 30,000 users since its launch and gained exposure during this year's SXSW independent music festival.

"Bands are using it to promote their shows straight from their Web page," Novak said.

Video will play on any operating system including Linux, Windows and Mac and can be viewed by site visitors whether or not they have a Stickam player.

Stickam works with most Webcams and features 500 MB of storage for videos, photos and music. The per-file limit is 100 MB for videos and 5 MB for images. Users should have Macromedia Flash Player 7 installed. Unlimited bandwidth allows for high frame-rate images that can be viewed by an unlimited number of people at the same time.

"All the current features will be kept free," Novak said. "Eventually we will be doing some advertising for premium accounts."

TH Online.com

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