Kaltura, the open-source video platform, has released a new version of its MediaWiki extension that allows users to embed and edit video, images, and audio on wiki pages. MediaWiki is a wiki software package that was initially developed for Wikipedia and has since been used by a number of other sites.

Kaltura says that the new release “includes a fresh look & feel for the video player, a simplified interface for the online video editor, improved administration capabilities (patrolling capabilities, detailed history and diff pages, etc.), localization to several languages, and better documentation”. While none of these changes sound groundbreaking, the patrolling and history improvements help make the extension better suited to wikis – a necessity given that Wikipedia has partnered with Kaltura to bring video content to the site.

Kaltura launched at TechCrunch 40, and was the winner of the People’s Choice spot.

Crowdsourcing video startup Kaltura is partnering with the Wikimedia Foundation to put its video-mashup technology on Wikipedia. The program, which is starting in beta today, will allow people to create collaborative videos on Wikipedia and other wikis. Kaltura’s video-editing technology allows multiple people to collaborate in creating a video.

The addition will eventually make it easier for Wikipedia contributors to add video clips, images, diagrams, animations, and PowerPoint presentations to Wikipedia pages. (They could use some livening up, don’t you think?).

As part of this beta, Kaltura is open-sourcing its video/rich media remixing technology. And it will be available to any wiki that runs on MediaWiki software. As part of the program, users will also gain access to a library of videos and other rich media under the Creative Commons license. Kaltura is based in New York City and launched at TechCrunch 40.

Brooklyn-based Kaltura has earned the honor to present as the 40th company in this year’s TechCrunch40 conference, beating next generation forums provider Tangler by a handful of votes.

The company, which has been demoing in our DemoPit all of today, received the most poker chips of any company in the pit over the past two days. Conference attendees were given two chips – one to give to their favorite company in the pit on Monday, and one to give to their favorite company from today’s pit. Therefore, Kaltura is the people’s choice out of about 100 non-presenting companies that have showcased their products at TC40.

Kaltura calls itself a “pioneer in collaborative media” and claims that its product enables users to do with video, audio, and animation what wikis have enabled them to do with text. The company works with both both end-users and channel providers. Collaborations are largely centered at kaltura.com, but they can be embedded elsewhere on the net well.

Take a tour of Kaltura here.

Kaltura was founded in October 2006 and has 20 employees. It has so far received $2.1M in funding from angels and Avalon Ventures.

We’re live blogging each session, adding to the summary of each company direct from the floor of TechCrunch 40. Click Refresh to view.

FlowPlay

FlowPlay is a virtual world community built around browser-based casual games. Users play casual games as their own created anime-like avatar, earning virtual goods for their character including clothing, refrigerators and other virtual store items. The site wants to provide the option to play casual games or interact with people in the virtual world (or both).

Animation virtual world product, anime style 2.5D visuals

strong privacy features to protect the kiddies

similar to Hobbo Hotel, Cyworld, Club Penguin, but with casual games emphasis.

Pitched a girls…well it appears to be, you can win dresses and stuff.

Unfortunately the time was used to show a demo video, not the best use of their time on stage. Will appeal to kids.

Metaplace

Areae’s Metaplace platform aims to revolutionize the virtual worlds space with a platform that will provide an open, easy-to-use interface which will allow users to create virtual worlds that can run anywhere. Metaplace-created virtual worlds will allow user to play games, socialize, create content and conduct commerce. Metaplace-created virtual worlds can be embedded into external sites, including Facebook, MySpace or a blog. Virtual worlds in the Metaplace network can be easily linked together.

Virtual world product, market still growing.

Virtual worlds are like AOL in 94, walled gardens etc, not a good thing according to them.

Has Facebook, MySpace widget, blog widgets, 30k embed.

Generic virtual world platform, can have Sim’s style games, shooters, even an Amazon store front.

Virtual world can also import XML: content, services etc can be imported.

Users can set up their own world from scratch, each world communicates with each other.

“virtual worlds for everyone”

Woome

WooMe brings speed dating online and extends it to let users meet new people live in speed sessions that are “fast, fun and free.” WooMe doesn’t require long forms or lengthy profile descriptions, users simply find a session that interests them and meet five people in five minutes. Users can also create their own session based on their interests and can invite people they want to get a know or friends.

Speed dating product.

Good presentation, talk to people quickly via webcam, both parties must agree to hookup

Zivity

Zivity offers a social networking platform focused on “sexy models and beautiful photography.” With a $10 subscription, members receive five votes that they can cast for models and photography they find appealing, with 80c out of every $1 vote cast being distributed to the model and photographer. There is no limit on the amount of money that a photographer or model can make; as long as a photo remains popular, models and photographers will share in ongoing royalties whilst retaining full ownership of the pictures.

Lots of warnings prior to this demo about it including porn…so far all we have is clothed model…false advertising perhaps?

User gen content makers aren’t making money, Zivity wants to change this…well at least for “sexy pics.”

Demo has PG rating…seriously, complete with the PG on the screen.

Ahhh…breasts. PG obviously different in the US to Australia

Kaltura

Kaltura is a collaborative Media startup that allows groups of users to do with video, audio, and animation what wiki platforms enable them to do with text. Think of it as YouTube meets Wikipedia. See our full post here.

Expert Panel: Caterina Fake likes Woome, Sarah Lacey hates it, says it’s not a stand alone company. Loic like Woome as well + likes Metaplace, says its trying to Second Life Facebook. Brad Garlinghouse likes the peoples choice Kaltura, hates Metaplace, says that the train has already left the platform, we already have Second Life.

Hammer likes Kaltura because he likes video, the creativity aspect is taking off.

Discussion about Zivity, Michael turns prudish and says there was too much nudity in the presentation. Sarah Lacey said the nudity was great and it was her favorite. Hammer thinks 16 year old girls will end up on the service, with a word demonstration..lots of laughter. Zivity says they are bound by laws about id, over 18 Hammer says haven’t they heard of fake id’s, gets a round of applause. Loic suggests there should be a merged service between Zivity and Woome.

Discussion about Zivity’s revenue distribution model, evlolves into a discussion as to whether it would be a challenge to Flickr. A: no, different market, but thinks the site will go really well, best model but Yahoo doesn’t endorse the content

Q to Metaplace: is this like Second Life? A: SL comparison isn’t valid, SL is not a generic platform

Sarah Lacey doesn’t like Flowplay, seems condescending to girls. Discussion about the model, Hammer suggests it’s a good model that will work well with 13 year old girls.

Q: Woome asked what will stop people holding up a card with their number on it via webcam, bypassing the revenue model A: If 10% game it, no problems, if 50% game it they’ll address it.

Q for Flowplay, are they developing more games, and opening up for 3rd party developers? A: they are licensing 3rd party games.