Two dimensional timeline and its application to Conversant Media system

We present a two dimensional timeline to replace the conventional 1D timeline used in video annotation systems. The extra dimension is augmented to represent the text annotations from user input and link them to the corresponding video time. A histogram of user annotations is developed over time. Not only does it highlight the history of prior user interaction with the video annotation system, it also gives a bird's eye view of how annotations are distributed along the video timeline. Users can then quickly find the annotation hotspots. Using this unique 2D timeline, we have developed a video annotation system prototype, Conversant Media (CM). Experimental trials conducted at two educational institutes on presentation skill training yield encouraging feedback, one of which concluded that CM can become a potential alternative to classroom visits for trainee teachers