NFTs on Videate

Inspiration

Videate was initially inspired by my frustration in getting video files from my computer onto my iPhone 3GS oh so many years ago. I figured out that if I wrote a simple podcast server that allowed me to access a folder of files from my computer on my phone, I wouldn't need to mess with 30-pin dock connector cords or iTunes. Over the years, this idea has evolved into an open platform where anyone can subscribe to other users' video feeds where a set number of videos are automatically downloaded onto their devices overnight and, just like audio podcasts, can be set to be automatically deleted after viewing making space for the next episode to begin downloading.

Because each user has their own unique feed link for each feed they subscribe to, similar to Patreon, I'm able to keep track of who is downloading what. This allows me to charge viewers each month a set amount that gets distributed among all the creators they viewed based on amount of time spent watching each. This single static fee and automatic splitting is in contrast to Patreon's model of requiring users to go through the manual step of setting up monthly contributions for each creator they want to support.

With all the talk of NFTs this past year, it was obvious they would be a great fit for Videate, especially since, with the Internet Computer, they could be minted and tracked right along side the video feed generation and viewership tracking, so that's what I built during the hackathon.

What it does

When a viewer enjoys a video on the Videate platform, they can click a link in the video's Show Notes right inside the podcast player where they are watching the video to sign into their Videate account and mint an NFT for the video, or purchase the NFT from the current owner. With the original sale the video creator will earn the entire purchase price, and with any subsequent sales will receive a percentage.

NFTs are seen by many as having little or no value. Indeed, owning an NFT for a video on Videate doesn't grant the owner distribution rights for the video or rights to any income the video generates on the platform (though that's a future possibility), but one tangible benefit of owning a video's NFT is that your name is shown to everyone else who downloads the video feed, and that certainly has value to many.

How we built it

I followed Severin Siffert's Supernova Hackathon workshop video Mint an NFT and used the [motoko code from github] to get the canister up and running which allowed me to integrate with my existing Videate canisters with very little trouble.

Challenges we ran into

The biggest challenge was that inside of the http_request function, which is used to generate the RSS feeds, canisters are not able to call each others' query functions. All functions had to either be upgraded to update functions, or all actors had to be placed in a single canister as described in this issue.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

I was able to get this working in only a few days of work due to the IC and Motoko's ease of use and interoperability. Thanks DFINITY!

What we learned

I continue to be impressed with the IC, but there are still a few bugs that need to be worked out as mentioned above.

What's next for NFTs on Videate

Adding payment to the platform, as planned as part of the the grant work, and integrating NFT purchase and transfer payment.

Built With

• motoko
• react