Rob Glaser is returning to his roots. The well known Seattle entrepreneur who founded RealNetworks in 1994 today is launching a new online video startup called SocialEyes which allows users to record and send video messages to friends. It also allows users to engage in instant messaging chats related to video. The startup, which is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by Bellevue's Ignition Partners and Maynard Webb, is launching this week at the DEMO conference in Palm Desert, California.

Glaser is serving as a co-founder and chairman of the new company, with former Avogadro CTO and Microsoft veteran Rob Williams listed as CEO.

“SocialEyes is a category-defining product,” said Glaser in a press release. “It brings together four powerful elements for the first time – the Facebook Social Graph, no-download Flash Video, a group system that lets people easily connect with other people in meaningful ways, and a twitter-like feed – to create a brand new kind of social video experience.”

SocialEyes has raised $5.1 million, with Ignition's Brad Silverberg serving on the board.

Glaser stepped down as CEO of RealNetworks last year, and shortly thereafter joined with Accel Partners as a venture partner. In that regard, it is kind of interesting that Accel didn't participate in the first round of financing.

Williams tells paidContent that they could have done the deal with Accel, but they decided to go with Ignition because they could get the deal done faster.

The startup employs 10 people, and is based in San Fran since that's where Williams lives. The company also has staff in Seattle and other locations, using the SocialEyes video chat tool to communicate with one another.

Glaser remains chairman at RealNetworks, but he has alluded to the fact in recent months that he's been kicking around some new ideas. SocialEyes is obviously one of those.

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