LeTV, Youku, and iQiyi TV APK horizontal evaluation: LeTV TV version leads in all aspects

After years of battles among all parties in the field of online video, the boundaries of competition have continued to expand. This year, with the development of smart TVs and large-screen Internet, more and more video websites have entered the TV field and started their own competition for home Internet.

Video website clients have evolved from PC to mobile, and now to TV. Competition is becoming increasingly fierce, and both content and experience have their own advantages and disadvantages.

In this issue, the editor specially selected the LeTV TV version, Youku TV version and iQiyi TV version, which have the greatest influence in the market, for evaluation.

We will start from four aspects: UI design, content, functions and performance, to see what changes have taken place from PC to TV and who can better grasp the needs of TV users.

UI Design

Home page (recommended page)

LeTV TV version

The homepage adopts a multi-screen, sliding screen design. The first screen is for recommendations, playback records, and searches, etc. The second screen is for TV series, movies, and parent-child, the third screen is for animation, sports, NBA, and variety shows, the fourth screen is for entertainment, music, documentaries, special topics, and 4K, and the fifth screen is for guessing what you like. Except for the first screen, which has a large recommendation position, the other screens are designed the same, with the overall components mainly in block structures, all of which are rectangular posters with text, neatly arranged, and flat design. Between screens, a horizontal interactive design is adopted, with bright colors focused, which is very consistent with the visual experience. The entire screen slides between the two screens.

recommend

TV series, movies, parent-child

Animation, sports, NBA, variety shows

Entertainment, Music, Documentary, Feature, 4K

You may also like

Youku TV version

The homepage consists of two screens. The transition between screens is rather cumbersome. The entire screen cannot be scrolled, but switching is done by constantly moving buttons. This experience tests the user's patience.

On the left side of the homepage are three shortcut keys, search, watch history, and favorites, arranged vertically in square light-colored blocks, and on the right are some large and small rectangular posters with pictures and texts, arranged horizontally or vertically. It adopts a horizontal interactive design, and the recommended movies are not classified by channels.

iQIYI TV version

iQiyi does not have a dedicated homepage. The first page after booting up is the recommendation page, which has only one screen and no channel classification for recommended movies. The interface uses a mix of color blocks and graphic posters to highlight the three-dimensional focus. In addition to movie recommendations, there are also functions such as search, play history, and latest updates.

Comments:

The homepage of LeTV TV version presents rich content, combining pictures and texts, which can meet the needs of users to enter the playback directly with one click. There are many recommendations; Youku TV version recommends movies without classification, which is a bit messy, and the number of recommendations is second; iQiyi TV version recommends movies without classification, and the number of recommendations is limited. In order to meet the user's independent experience, they all put the playback records and search on the surface for easy search.

Channel Page

LeTV TV version

Except for the three brightly colored rectangular blocks on the left side for movies, TV series, and parent-child, the rest of the channel page is mostly squares with white text on a gray background, with a few blocks of lighter colors here and there.

Youku TV version

On the left side of the channel page, the TV series and children's channels are square posters of the same size with pictures and texts, while the other channels are light-colored square posters with icons, arranged in two rows and four columns.

iQIYI TV version

The channel interface has two types of color blocks: rectangular and square. The rectangular color blocks are matched with the movie characters of the corresponding channel, while the square ones are simple color blocks, expressed in the form of icons + text. Although the animation channel is not in the brightest position at the front, it is still conspicuous.

Comments : The three channels mostly use icons + texts, Youku and iQiyi use colorful blocks, while LeTV uses large gray blocks, which is unique. But the same thing is that the interface is very neat and intuitive, each with its own merits. In addition, LeTV TV version and Youku TV version highlight children's channels, while iQiyi TV version does not have children's channels.

mine

LeTV TV version

Mine: The main component is the bright color blocks, with the text options on the right, and the layers are distinct. The most attractive thing is the large advertisement space in the middle.

There is a lot of information in my account, including renewal, viewing of playback records, and viewing of downloaded videos. I think the most considerate feature is the network speed test, which allows users to choose the appropriate playback clarity and avoid lags.

After the speed test is completed, you can enter the playback settings to select the video playback clarity, and you can also adjust the screen ratio, set whether to automatically play the next episode, and whether to skip the opening and ending credits. This is essential for people who are accustomed to the fast pace nowadays.

Youku TV version

My: It consists of two large and four small light-colored rectangles, with light and clean colors, and is accompanied by icons and text. There are my favorites, viewing history, my subscriptions, my uploads, etc.

iQIYI TV version

Mine: Also the same color block, expressed in the form of icons + text, including playback history, my favorites, my offline, etc.

Comment: Youku and iQiyi are just blocks of color, while LeTV has added large advertising spaces, which can be said to be commercialized everywhere. At the same time, LeTV and iQiyi have added official communication channels, such as WeChat and QQ, to facilitate user consultation and communication.

Featured

The interface of the LeTV TV version is very simple, with uniform rectangular posters, pure pictures arranged in three rows, and the same horizontal interactive design, allowing more "off-screen" content to be seen.

The special interface of iQiyi TV version all adopts rectangular graphic poster design, but the height is different.

Featured

Comments: Compared with the two, the posters on the special page of iQiyi TV version are of different sizes. Although they are neatly put together, there is too much white space. The special page interface of LeTV TV version looks simpler, and the poster design is also very attentive. Youku TV version has no special page.

other

LeTV TV version-Live

Live means live broadcast. The English version is chosen instead of Chinese. I think it may be affected by the policy. This live broadcast is different from other live broadcasts. It is not the programs of various satellite TV stations, but LeTV's own sports programs. The interface design is reasonable, with picture recommendations on the left and program lists on the right.

Youku TV version - Ranking

The ranking interface is very simple, just three vertical rectangles, a light background of red, yellow and blue, and an image, but there is a lot of white space in the background. The categories include playback ranking, search ranking, and feature ranking.

summary

The overall background of the LeTV TV version UI design adopts a gradient black to highlight the content in the middle. The color blocks are bright and colorful, and the design adopts bright color focus, flatness, horizontal interaction, parallel switching, etc., which fits the human senses.

The overall background of Youku TV UI design is dark blue, and the color blocks are light colors, which looks cool and elegant. The same block design, such as the combination of large and small, horizontal or vertical rectangles on the homepage, looks a little inconsistent.

The overall background of iQiyi TV version UI design uses gradient black, the same block design, and reasonable arrangement of rectangles and squares.

In addition, the interface design styles of the three are similar, but they have their own advantages in matching. In comparison, the interface design of LeTV TV version and iQiyi TV version is more reasonable and more user-friendly, while the interface design of Youku TV version is a bit rough.

List page (taking the TV series list page as an example)

The TV drama interface of LeTV TV version has category navigation on the top and film information on the bottom, arranged horizontally in a rectangular shape.

The recommendation interface recommends movies according to the types of TV series. The TV series categories are marked with color blocks, which is clear. Of course, there is also the big poster, which is equally attractive.

The TV series category list page has the same design, with multiple screens interacting horizontally. One screen has three rows and five columns of pictures + text posters, integrating pictures and text.

The left side of the Youku TV version of the TV series list page is the category navigation, and the right side is the movie, which is arranged vertically in a rectangular shape, using the form of pictures + text, with pictures and text separated. The movie list is in the form of a waterfall flow, with pages turned up and down.

iQIYI TV version has no category navigation. Movies are arranged vertically in rectangular shapes, presented in the form of pictures and texts, with pictures and texts separated. Movies are listed in the form of waterfall flow, with pages turned up and down.

Summary: In actual use, the recommendation function of LeTV TV version combines data analysis of user viewing behavior, so that the recommendations are closer to user needs.

As for the arrangement of movies, it should be different according to the user's usage habits. However, in terms of category navigation, iQiyi needs to call it out through the menu key, which adds one more step in the operation process. The editor thinks it is better to do it in the open for easy search.

Content Page

LeTV TV Version-Content Page

LeTV TV version - content page related content recommendation

Youku TV version content page

iQIYI TV version content page

Summary: Compared with the content page, the content page of Youku TV version still has a traditional design, while the content pages of iQiyi TV version and LeTV TV version have their own advantages. For example, LeTV TV version directly launches options of different resolutions on the page, allowing users to make one-click selections based on their bandwidth. For Youku TV version and iQiyi TV version, users need to press the menu button to select the resolution during video playback.

Content

Channel categories (exclusive content is marked in red)

Program Type (Take TV series as an example, classified by region) (Red indicates exclusive content)

The iQiyi TV version has exclusive Japanese dramas, the LeTV TV version has exclusive Thai dramas and Singaporean dramas, and the 4K area is also a major feature.

LeTV TV version 4K area

4K content can only be played on 4K devices

In comparison, the iQiyi TV version has unique Japanese dramas, which is also a major feature of its content.

iQIYI TV Japanese Drama Zone

live streaming

Among LeTV TV version, Youku TV version and iQiyi TV version, only LeTV currently provides live broadcast service, although this live broadcast refers to live broadcast of sports events and entertainment.

Live

During full-screen playback, the event program list on the left side of the screen is arranged in chronological order, which is easier to find. In addition to the events currently being broadcast, there are also program replays and program previews.

Tennis Live

Norway Music Festival

Homemade drama

LeTV TV's self-made dramas cover a wide range, including TV series, movies, entertainment, etc. Self-made dramas include "Xiaojie Knows", "STB Super Teacher", "Beijing Aoke", "Micro-Elephant: Believe·Premonition", etc. Self-made drama topics include "Youth Confessions", "Opening Music", "Weekly TV Drama Talk", "Bao Xiao Court", etc. Self-made entertainment columns include "Star", "God Woman", "Xingyue Private Talk", "LeTV Big Brand Party", etc. Self-made music programs include "Close-up Time", "Live Life", etc. Self-made sports programs: "World Cup-32 Nights", "Sports Morning Bus", etc. Self-made micro-films: "This Life Fate", "I Want to Get Married", "One Person One Flower", "Xiaomian", etc.

IQIYI TV's self-made dramas are hard to find because there is no separate aggregate navigation. You can only search by the name of the film. In the upper right corner of the self-made drama, it will show "exclusive broadcast". There are self-made dramas such as Incredible Summer, Cantaloupe 7 Brothers, Hello Alien, High-tech Girl Cat, and Waste Chai Brothers. There are also variety shows such as Xiaosong Qitan and God Drama Brightens.

Youku’s self-produced dramas include "Never Expected", "Report to the Boss", "Hip-Hop Quartet", etc. Similarly, in terms of self-produced variety shows, there are National Topic Club, "Ace Play within a Play", "Focus", etc.

Youku TV Version-Original Column

Summary: LeTV TV version is relatively superior in terms of film and television resources, and another highlight is the live broadcast service of sports events and entertainment. LeTV TV version has a separate entrance for self-made dramas, while Youku TV version has an original column, but the editor did not find Youku's gold medal program in it. Similarly, the self-made content of iQiyi TV version is only marked with the word "exclusive broadcast" without aggregation, which makes it quite difficult to find. Since it is your own self-made drama, why not highlight it?

Function

search

LeTV TV version - Search

LeTV TV version-Voice Search

LeTV TV version-Voice search results

Youku TV version - Search

iQIYI TV version - Search

Search results for LeTV TV version GM

Youku TV version GM search results

Search results for iQIYI TV version GM

Comments: The search interface of iQiyi TV version is the best looking, but in terms of function, the search of LeTV TV version has the upper hand, because LeTV TV version supports voice search, although if you want to perform voice search, you must use LeTV's voice remote control. At the same time, from the search results, LeTV TV version's search is more in line with the needs, and the search results are not repeated, while Youku TV version has a higher repetition rate.

recommend

Recommended startup for LeTV TV version

The startup recommendation of LeTV TV version only takes a few seconds and does not affect the user experience.

When you enter each channel of LeTV TV version, you will see the recommendation interface of that channel.

Parent-child channel recommendation

The TV version of LeTV also has a separate recommended movie interface on the content page, which is more comprehensive.

Content page related content recommendation

At the same time, LeTV TV version will intelligently push programs you may like based on your viewing habits. For example, if you often watch cartoons, LeTV TV version will push animation series to you after big data analysis.

Youku TV version homepage recommendation

Although the recommendations on Youku TV are a bit messy, they are numerous and varied, including popular TV series, Youku's own dramas, and children's dramas.

Youku content page related video recommendations

iQIYI TV moderator interface recommendation

Although the number of recommendations on the iQiyi TV version is small, it covers different categories such as self-produced dramas, popular dramas, animations, special topics, etc.

Comment: As for recommendations, among the three, Youku TV version only has some recommended content on the homepage and content pages, while iQiyi only has a recommendation interface on the main interface.

Multi-screen interaction

In addition to the original projection from small screen to large screen, LeTV TV version also adds the bullet screen function, which allows users to input their own opinions on the video on their mobile phones while watching the video, and share them with other users through the large TV screen. Everyone can chat while watching the video. The "bullet screen" function does not require the download of other additional software, and can achieve cross-screen communication by scanning the QR code.

Press the menu key to set the barrage switch

Scan the QR code with your mobile phone and log in to post comments

After the comment is posted, it will appear at the top of the screen.

In addition, LeTV TV version has introduced a multi-screen consistency function, which uses the cloud to synchronize personal video records and complete linkage on the four major screens of PC, mobile phone, Pad and TV. The data of the four screens will be unified, and users can watch seamlessly. For example, in the car, users may choose to watch the content of a TV series on their mobile phone, but when they return home, they don’t want to continue watching on the small screen. They can log in to their own account with one click and jump to the relevant content through LeTV TV version to continue watching, which is significantly more convenient.

There is no obvious entrance for multi-screen interaction in the Youku TV version. The switch option for multi-screen interaction is in the settings. You can also choose the name of the multi-screen interaction, including Youku Big Screen, Living Room Youku and Bedroom Youku.

There is no operating instruction for the multi-screen interaction of Youku TV version, which may be difficult to use for users who are not familiar with the multi-screen interaction function. In addition, the push method is not innovative.

The multi-screen interconnection of iQiyi TV version is still relatively traditional, projecting videos on mobile phones to the large TV screen for viewing. However, the user experience has been greatly improved. In the past, projecting videos on mobile phones to the large screen was a step-by-step process. In iQiyi TV version, you only need to long press on the movie image, a small TV icon will appear, push it up, and the movie will play on the TV.

In addition, the operating instructions for multi-screen interaction are very clear and user-friendly.

Comment : In terms of multi-screen interaction, Youku TV version still needs to work harder, iQiyi TV version has also made improvements, and LeTV TV version has introduced some innovative models.

Summary : Whether in terms of search, recommendation, or multi-screen interaction, LeTV TV version has the upper hand, iQiyi TV version is also good, and Youku TV version needs to keep up the good work.

Performance

Playback Effects

1. Normal image quality

Playback effect of LeTV TV version　　

Youku TV version playback effect

iQIYI TV version playback effect

In terms of the broadcast effect of the TV series "When Mother-in-law Meets Mother: Joyous Enemies", the Youku TV version is obviously weaker than the LeTV TV version and the iQiyi TV version.

2.1080P

LeTV TV version 1080P playback effect

Youku TV version HD (this drama is not available in 1080P)

iQIYI TV version 1080P playback effect

The playback effect of 1080P is much higher than that of standard definition, and the picture is very clear. Similarly, the effect of LeTV TV version and iQiyi TV version is slightly better. I wonder what the resolution of Youku TV version can reach?

Comments : In terms of picture quality, Youku TV version is inferior, while LeTV TV version and iQiyi TV version are comparable. But between LeTV TV version and iQiyi TV version, I prefer iQiyi TV version because the playback picture is cleaner, while LeTV TV version has too many embedded ads, which affects the viewing effect.

Content Updates

The content updates of LeTV TV version are displayed on the channel interface, and only the update numbers of the three channels, namely TV series, movies and parent-child, are displayed.

The TV series, movies, and parent-child videos on the left have updated numbers.

Search TV series channel for "Latest Updates" results

Youku TV version has the latest category navigation in each channel, such as TV series and movie channels.

Youku TV latest TV series

Latest movies on Youku TV

The TV version of iQiyi also has the latest category navigation in each channel, such as TV series and movie channels, and quantity information is displayed.

iQIYI TV series updates

iQIYI TV Movie Updates

Comment: Everyone has done a good job in updating, and the quantity is guaranteed to a certain extent. What the editor wants to complain about here is that the iQiyi TV version does not have the popular "Gu Jian Qi Tan".

Members Area

If you want to watch all the programs on LeTV TV version, you need to pay a service fee of 490 yuan per year. There is no separate membership area, but there is a free area.

LeTV TV version free zone

The member area of ​​Youku TV version has a very eye-catching position on the channel interface. The position is very high-profile. The member area has three types: free membership, half-price membership, and 1080P.

Youku TV Member Zone

The membership area of ​​iQiyi TV version is equally high-profile, in the "My" interface.

iQIYI TV Member Zone

Comment: If you want to see good content, you have to pay for it. After all, this is an era of paid services.

Summary: Nowadays, the requirements for video quality are getting higher and higher, and there are also more and more requirements for the number and update of videos. However, there is no free lunch in the world, and good things all cost money.

Review Summary

In UI design: both user-friendly operating experience and aesthetics of the interface are very important. Most interfaces nowadays are divided into sections. To enhance user experience and senses, we need to consider how to innovate on these sections.

In terms of content: For video websites, "content is king" has remained the same for many years. Behind the continuous rise in copyright fees and copyright disputes, video websites continue to increase their investment in self-made content. In terms of self-made dramas, Youku TV version obviously does not have as much content as iQiyi TV version and LeTV TV version, and is not outstanding enough. In terms of other content, the quantity cannot be counted, but in terms of types, LeTV TV version covers a wider range of content.

Functionality: Search - When users browse videos, they are often not satisfied with the recommended videos. They may also sort the videos according to multiple dimensions, such as update time, viewing popularity, and good or bad reviews. Users will also filter according to release time, category, region, etc. Therefore, a reasonable and user-friendly search experience is also very important. In terms of interface aesthetics, iQiyi has the upper hand, but in terms of experience, LeTV TV version is more user-friendly. Multi-screen interaction - Traditional multi-screen interaction methods are no longer sufficient to attract users. More and better multi-screen interaction methods will be the focus of subsequent research by various companies.

In terms of performance, the video source is a relatively important comparison factor for video applications. This is because many users use TVs below 40 inches, and the TV is viewed at a certain distance. Therefore, these users do not have very high requirements for the clarity of the video source. Even if the video is not 1080p, it can still achieve a relatively good effect. These users are more concerned about the number of video sources. Another part of users has higher requirements for the quality of the video source. The simple quantity cannot meet their needs. What they need is 1080p video, 3D video, 4K video, etc. In this regard, LeTV TV version and iQiyi TV version do better.

In the age of video and big screens, television is constantly increasing in value. Who can truly gain users may still depend on the little details of the user experience.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.