“The Web video site Vimeo goes after an audience tired of the poorly lit basement aesthetic.”

I’ve been waiting for a site to finally challenge Youtube and bring some design and taste back to online video.

While some people may like it, I’m personally tired of wading through all the video blog babbling and the insane gutter comments on YouTube. Plus it’s always a good thing to have alternatives and options in media distribution.

While YouTube feels utilitarian and boxy, Vimeo feels fluid, pretty, and shows videos in higher quality without as many ads all over them.

This amazing video on the credit crisis shows the different type of experience you get when watching on Vimeo.

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

Also check out the new Art Video site Artbabble.org which takes the idea even further but for professional art videos from museums, pbs, etc…