SmugMug Adds Larger Image Sizes, HD Video

Got bandwidth? Photo and video sharing site SmugMug recently added support for new extra-large image sizes, along with HD video hosting.

Photo and video hosting site SmugMug wants users to get into the holiday spirit—and exploit more of the megapixels in their cameras—by offering new extra-large image sizes in its photo hosting option, and a new HD video hosting option that enables users to share 24p videos up to 1,280 by 720 pixels.

"Since 2002, SmugMuggers have chosen us because their photos-and now videos-look outstanding here," said SmugMug president Chris MacAskill. "I’ve never met a person whose face didn’t light up when they saw their photos and videos crisp and SmugMungous."

The new image hosting sizes originally went online in mid-October under the name "SmugMungous:" dubbed XLarge, X2Large, and X3Large, the feature enables users to post images at sizes of 1,024 by 768 pixels, 1,280 by 960 pixels, and 1,600 by 1,200 pixels, respectively. SmugMug added the option as it noticed user’s average screen sizes are creeping upward: according to SmugMug, 1,024 by 768 pixel displays are now the most common, but even entry level desktop displays are boasting resolutions of 1,680 by 1,050 pixels. Old-school 800 by 600 pixel displays now account for only 8 to 10 percent of the market.

On the video front, SmugMug accepts "every common video format" and converts it for h.264 for playback via Web browser and devices like iPhones, PlayStations, and Xbox 360 consoles.

SmugMug claims 3.6 million monthly viewers, and has long been a favorite photo sharing site of professional and semi-pro photographers for its ease of use and uncluttered viewing options.