View Full Version : Using Google Maps for Local Readers
Fake Post
Jan 22nd 2007, 08:22 AM
Just wondering if you producers use Google Maps as video fill for what would otherwise be news readers.
I have seen this in a couple of markets and wanted to know if this practice is used nationwide.
Focker
Jan 22nd 2007, 09:09 AM
Haven't seen it except in a movie (Crank). There are some issues...
which I've gathered from the Google Earth website.
1. Only Google Earth PRO is for commercial use (around $600). Images from the free download version is for private use and would probably be deemed illegal without permission from Google.
2. Regular Google Earth isn't broadcast quality...since it's streaming. GEP has a feature where you can record an animation as a QT movie.
3. Images could be as old as 3 years.
4. Companies that do fly-overs of areas to take photos (which are then bought by Microsoft, Google, etc.) might not have the area you're looking for...so when you zoom in to a certain "height", it's pixellated and not very clear. Also the reason you have a "patchwork" look when the map takes from different sourcecs.
Most stations I've worked for go with Curious Maps. Unfortunately, it's VERY expensive... $5,000 and up.
[ January 22, 2007, 10:12 AM: Message edited by: Focker ]
newslady_26
Jan 22nd 2007, 11:45 AM
we use google maps at least 5 times a day
TAFKA wacowx
Jan 22nd 2007, 04:11 PM
Originally posted by Focker:
Haven't seen it except in a movie (Crank). I have seen it used by ABC news and CNN.
ciscoubr
Jan 22nd 2007, 07:20 PM
NBC has some version of it as well.
Sultanosurf
Jan 22nd 2007, 07:52 PM
Do you have to super it as Google?
AutoTranz
Jan 22nd 2007, 08:23 PM
Do you have to super it as Google?We do
[ January 22, 2007, 09:23 PM: Message edited by: AutoTranz ]
ciscoubr
Jan 23rd 2007, 04:49 AM
I believe that when the video is generated in Google Earth Pro, Google adds its logo in there...but yeah, it's probably a good idea to super it anyways.
Google's not the Pope...but close to it.
amp
Jan 24th 2007, 05:11 AM
Originally posted by ciscoubr:
Google's not the Pope...but close to it.Yeah, they don't have the funny hats, yet.
Medicinematt
Jan 24th 2007, 07:31 AM
Global TV in Canada uses it on their national newscast. They always add "Google Earth" into the bottom of the image.