High definition video is overkill for the Internet and websites

High definition video gives me a headache. Every once in awhile, we receive HD footage to add to a standard definition video production OR a quick edit for a client’s website. HD video is great when you are watching television, but a pain when trying to edit simple Internet marketing video. This may sound funny coming from the owner of a video production company, so let me explain.

We just finished searching and locating a video supplier in Columbus, Ohio for a client who wants her presentation video recorded next week. During our search, something hit me like a ton of bricks. This story includes this painful realization which is happening more often.

The quality of high definition video is good because it provides a very detailed picture (a lot of dots; which is how I explain this when I speak to groups) on a high definition video system. However, high definition can cause a lot of problems and unnecessary expense for businesses:

•HD video files are huge! When you are working with a high definition video source, you need a lot of hard drive space to store and edit the HD video file. This can be a problem; especially with longer videos. Not only is storage a problem, but so is rendering and exporting (activity that can drive your editing bill through the roof). Bottom line, these large files take a lot of studio time to process for both Internet and DVD use.

•HD is overkill for Internet video. The reason being that most HD video requires a production company to convert the raw HD files for editing; adding an extra step before editing. So in addition to the size and time restrictions we now have monetary restrictions.

•HD complicates things. Another concern worth mentioning, that has to do with square and widescreen video, is the problem with aspect ratio (screen size). High def and standard def both have 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios. When a video production company receives video that is both 16:9 and 4:3, serious adjustments need to be made so both formats can be used in the final video production. You don’t need to add high definition video to this equation, as it will just increase the difficulty and price of the process.

•HD footage can be difficult for the consumer to view. As a production company, often times we have to download software in order to convert raw HD files for editing. Most HD camera manufacturers have software that has to be downloaded and used to convert their proprietary files before raw HD video can be used for editing in Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro. To make matters worse, as a consumer, once you receive the HD files recorded on an HD camera, won’t be able to view the video. This is due to the file size and format, and more often than not, a consumer’s personal computer does not have the power to view the huge HD footage. This fact ties in with the last point:

•HD can be very costly. As a result of hidden costs, the price of an HD video can steadily creep up. Although you may pay a certain amount for the actual shoot, you could end up incurring extra studio costs that was not discussed previously. This may change in the future, but for now, it is unfortunately a big problem.

The company I spoke to in Columbus told me they shoot everything in HD. He then attempted to sell me on the quality of HD video, insisting on how good my client would look. Since I have experience with raw HD video, I asked if he could convert the file to a regular 16 X 9; standard definition video (since the file size would be more reasonable and it would be faster to edit in the studio).

His response: the cost for a 90 minute remote recording was $1600.00; however, the additional studio conversion was an extra $400.00.
Next, I spoke to Gene at Warman Productions http://www.warmanproductions.com/. He completely agreed with my HD concern and that it was overkill for this application.

Solution:

Gene offered to shoot with their HD camera, but instead of recording in HD, they would record using their HD camera on to a DV Cam tape (which is standard definition). That way, no HD files would need to be converted (via downloaded software). We would be able to view and easily work with this standard definition video in our system (Final Cut Pro and Premiere Pro).

oGene’s price for the same professional service: $600.00 TOTAL!

Sure, HD video looks great, but extra steps and tools, time and space, are necessary for use in the editing room.

Now, if you are producing a video and you plan to have it broadcast over the television or Blu Ray video, then consider high definition. If you are producing video to help grow your business and or entertain clients online, then stick to standard definition. The quality will not be compromised and the cost will be far less by avoiding HD video. However, always make sure that you spend a sufficient amount of time investigating different companies to find a plan and price that works best for you.

Death of a Video Foramt

Death of a Video Format
By Ed Primeau and Brandon Keilman


I was standing in line at the Secretary of State last week to renew a license plate and saw a video playing on a flat screen in the lobby. The quality was brilliant; very high quality, rich and robust in every area of sight and sound. The source was produced using high definition video tape and digitally edited and formatted onto Blu-ray DVD.

For a few years now, I have been preaching about the importance of Internet marketing with digital video distribution (which is still very important) while discounting DVD as a worth while marketing tool. The Internet aspect to video still holds true, except we now have to re-look at DVD from a fresh perspective.

There is an ongoing debate over DVD format that is worth understanding so you can apply this medium to your business.

In a knock-out, fall-out battle, Blu-ray DVD is the official champion and High Definition DVD has gone by the wayside, in a similar fashion to consumer grade laser disk and beta. In this article, we hope to clear some of the confusion and explain the impact to you personally as well as on your business.

Let us clarify an important point before we move on. High Definition digital video is a format video cameras record and High Definition DVD is a format of delivery or medium to deliver the video on. High Definition video recording is still the best way to video record. It is High Definition DVD that no longer exists and what this article is about.


Here is how the war was lost:
The Toshiba Company was the main developer and backer (with the support of Microsoft) of what could have been the next “big thing” in video delivery, High Definition DVD. While Microsoft favored the “High Definition DVD” format, Sony favored the Blu-ray DVD format.
Blue Ray was and is supported by many different companies including Sony as the next “big thing” in video formatting. High Definition was the choice of Microsoft and Toshiba until recently.

So, now that the war is over, I guess the demise of the HD DVD video format should not come as a surprise when the two formats are compared and closely examined. First, the quality of both in terms of picture and sound are a huge step up from a regular DVD in resolution. However, when further investigating Blu-ray, the storage capacity is four times greater than that of High Definition DVD. In our opinion, this is perhaps the largest deal breaker for High Definition DVD.

The Blu-ray storage advantage means less need for multiple DVD disk box sets. Companies such as Fox who are always looking for a way to minimize cost and increase profit love the storage advantage Blue Ray offers.

To the consumer it means we can go out and buy a Season of our favorite show in a much smaller package, instead of a big clunky box full of DVDs. As for the sound and picture quality, there is a noticeable difference between Blu-ray and High Definition DVD. Even on the best of televisions the HD DVD still remains a bit grainy where as the Blu-ray has very crisp rich looking images.

Another influence in the decision to kill HD DVD was the backing of the Sony Corporation. Sony is the leading edge developer and implementer of Blu-ray players into devices their consumers use on a daily basis. Their PlayStation 3 models are considered one of the best Blu-ray players on the market. Price-wise, not only do you get a Blu-ray player; you get a video game console and audiovisual storage unit all rolled into one.

Also of note: Sony Vaio computers have the option for a Blu-ray DVD drive upgrade.

Microsoft put their money behind the HD DVD format by offering an external player for their Xbox line of products. However, upon hearing the news that Toshiba was canceling its HD DVD line,
Microsoft discontinued their HD DVD external player; they’ve yet to release an external Blu-ray player. There is a rumor that the external Blu-ray player for Xbox is in the works.

Unfortunately, the adult film industry also had a great influence over these decisions. Whether we chose to ignore it or pretend it doesn’t exist, The adult film industry still has a large influence over the Blu-ray decision. Even with its apparent loss of revenue to online video, the industry still has some sway in regards to the format its line of adult videos will be on.

Since 2007, and early 2008, the adult film industry put its backing behind the Blu-ray DVD format. This, combined with the other reasons mentioned above, seems to be the straw that broke the camels back for HD DVD.

What does this mean for you and your business of DVD products? We are entering a time that future video products should be recorded on High Definition video tape and released on Blu-ray DVD.

So, now that you know Blu-ray DVD is the future of DVD video delivery, what type of product can you develop on Blu-ray DVD? Consider that Blu-ray will deliver graphics and still images that look more brilliant and video images of much higher quality because they are recorded on High Definition video. In addition, the length of programming time is greater on Blu-ray than standard DVD.

We highly recommend Duplicating your Blu-ray inventory in low quantities as just-in-time delivery…because it will not be long before the next “greatest advancement” in digital video comes out to further confuse us and, once again, change everybody’s thinking, including ours.

800-647-4281

Protect Your DVD Content from Pirates

The below is reprinted from a recent newsletter from The Tape Company. Excellent article worth passing on! Three Steps to Protect your DVD Content from Pirates Three Steps to Protect your DVD Content from Pirates Elmhurst, IL (October 20, 2009) – Protecting copyrighted material has been the bane of creative industry for years. Particularly vulnerable are the videographers and others involved in creating original DVDs for purchase. The nature of digital media makes it particularly vulnerable to piracy. The Internet has also contributed to the spread of DVD piracy. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of online forums dedicated to ripping DVDs, including active discussions on which software is needed to cut through current means of copy protection. It takes only minutes to rip a DVD of its contents and make copies for distribution or upload it to a bit torrent site. This free and easy access to your content cannibalizes your profit. It also creates an entire generation of would be consumers who expect your content to be free, which devalues the creative professions. There are basically three types of people who are ripping your content: 60% Amateur Rippers: They probably have software that removes the most basic of DVD protections. They can copy the majority of DVD titles (but have no active desire to do so), and are likely to skip the titles that would require a lot of effort. 35% Midlevel Rippers: They have more than one piece of ripping software at their disposal and belong to a ripping forum or two. If their software balks at the prospect of ripping a particular title, they know where to look for hacks to get around it. The amount of effort they put into ripping a title is proportional to how much they want a copy of that title. 5% Committed Rippers: This group aren't just members of ripping forums, they are answering questions from newbies. They have an arsenal of ripping software (primarily freeware) at their disposal and are beta testing new software as it becomes available (and writing reviews of those tools). There is no way to provide 100% protection for you DVD content. Your best option is to discourage as many of the amateur and midlevel rippers from stealing your content as you can. Try using a multi-layered approach to protecting your content: Make some sharable content. Use copy protection software. Watermark your content. Sharing Your Content Event videographers seem particularly vulnerable to social incentives for stealing content. Rogue brides purchase a single copy of their wedding DVD and then burn copies for all their family and friends. A PTA will hire you to record the school's spring musical, then create their own copies and sell them to parents for a fraction of what you would have charged. Could you educate them; tell them how their actions affect you, the creator of the video? Sure, but it would probably fall on deaf ears. Many event videographers have accepted that their clients will make copies of their DVD and have adjusted the rate for filming and editing accordingly. They are simply charging more for their services and providing their client with the edited masters. Another option would be to make a portion of your video free and accessible online via YouTube or your business' Web site. This provides two benefits. The first is it removes some of the social incentives to copying your content illegally. A bride doesn't have to tell her mother or members of her bridal party that a DVD of the wedding can be purchased for $30. Instead, she can provide a link to the shared content you provided. Then, if someone is interested in purchasing the DVD, all the information they need to make the purchase is right there, online. It removes the client from the middle. Making a portion of your content available online is also a strong marketing tool. Friends and family pass the link around so more people can see your work. Some of those people receiving links are going to be potential clients. This is a solution that would work well for other content producers as well: the professional trainer/coach, independent producers, marketing professionals. The key is to provide valuable content that will satisfy those just looking for free stuff, but will pique the interest of potential clients who are actually looking to purchase a video title. Copy Protection Software Content Scramble System (CSS) is dead. OK, maybe not completely dead, more like a zombie. CSS will discourage the handful of people who only know how to drag and drop files from their DVD to their hard drive. Most ripping software sees right through the CSS protection and renders it useless. With content protection, you want something that will effectively stop a large number of people from copying your DVD title, but will still allow maximum compatibility with a large number of players. Currently three large manufacturers who create DVD publishing equipment are offering DVD-R protection software. MicroBoards is employing the HexaLock system and Rimage and Primera are using that encapsulates data files on a DVD disc causing access to the content by common ripping programs to be controlled.. According to the literature on the Microboards Web site, "HexDVDR-Video is a preferred choice because of its very fast protection detection and 100% compatibility. Each signature check is performed in a fraction of a second and is 100% transparent, meaning the user won't even realize protection detection is taking place. The burning of the protected DVD can be done on any duplication system, including Rimage." HexaLock DVD-R protects against the duplication of a DVD-R by direct copying or filed-based copying. The copy program will either stop immediately or take many hours to complete, and even then the copied DVD cannot be viewed in a consumer player or any consumer software. When viewing the copied DVD on PC, the viewer will see an error message that asks the user to insert the original DVD. HexaLock creates an autostart file called starthere.exe on your DVD. This file restricts programs that directly open the files from saving to drives, printing, or copying to clipboard. Because of this, ripping programs that have successfully worked around the Hexalock system have a two-part program. The first half tricks HexaLock into decrypting the files to be read, then the second half of the program copies the data to another location. There have been several upgrades to HexaLock since that fateful post, causing consternation among amateur and midlevel rippers as they wait for upgrades to their favorite ripping programs. And, if it's any consolation, there are still forum posts across the Internet from people looking for hacks to the HexLock system. The Rimage Video Protect (RVP) System and Primera PTProtect System are essentially the same solution. Each claim extremely high compatibility based on a player test of 103 systems and the only failure from this test was the Xbox 360. The RVP and PT-Protect systems are "play-per-burn" technology. These systems are licensed on a per disc basis, consuming one protection credit for every disc burned with RVP or PTProtect. Rimage Video Protect is a feature in Producer Software Suite version 7.5 and later. PTProtect is built into Primera's PTPublisher duplication software. The license credits are through a security device called a "dongle." A dongle is a USB flash drive that connects to the publisher to authenticate and decrement the credits as they are consumed. Because of the Dongle method, this is not a mass-production option but is one designed for the small user: the event videographers, training companies, any distributing pre-releases of a video. Because this is designed for small scale use, this may fly under the radar of the midlevel and committed rippers – the effort required to create a ripping process may not be worth the rewards (in terms of quantity). Watermarks An interesting method of deterring illegal copying is to watermark the DVD with the name or customer # of the individual receiving the DVD. The concept with watermarking is not to prevent people from making copies but to track down the source of the copies. Put an image with the customer's name, account number or other unique identifier on one of the video frames before encoding the DVD. (Don't forget to save the frame number so you can find it later.) Re-encoding the DVD won't remove the watermark and it can only be found when searching the DVD frame-by-frame (or dumb luck). Conclusion No content protection method is 100% foolproof. The best you can do is try to reduce the number of people who are willing and able to copy your content for "personal" use or profit. By adding three layers of protection, you're making it harder for the casual ripper to steal your content and making it easier to track illegal copies. Create Sharable Content. It creates an atmosphere of good will, removes your client from the role of salesman and is an invaluable marketing tool. Use copy protection software. Rimage Video Protect is probably the best option, closely followed by Hexalock. These will not prevent everyone from copying the DVD, but it will make it difficult for people who aren't committed rippers. Finally, watermark your content. Watermarks don't prevent theft, but they help create a trail so you can identify the responsible party.

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