Improving Access to a Digital Video Library

Quick access to short, relevant video segments enables efficient use of a digital video library. This study evaluated an interface designed for such access, an interface that allows the user to browse a set of segments generated by a search query. Subjects’ performance and attitudes were measured while they performed a fact-finding task to determine the relative effectiveness of three presentations: a text list, naively chosen visual imagery, and query-based visual imagery. Results show little difference in performance and subjective satisfaction between text lists and naively chosen imagery, but significant improvements when the images that represent video segments are based on the query that returned the segments (query-based poster frames). This result applies to the organization and representation of information in digital video libraries.