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

Death of a Speaker

Death of a Speaker
By Ed Primeau

It was 1998; the professional speaking industry was receiving national attention thanks to the leadership of Dr. Terry Paulson CSP, CPAE and the National Speakers Association Board of Directors.

CBS news was at the National Speakers Association Convention in San Antonio interviewing members for a 60 minutes television segment on the business of professional speaking. Professional Speaking was off and running as a legitimate profession. Unfortunately the show didn’t turn out as we thought but American’s (and many other countries around the globe) were all officially introduced to the professional speaking profession using a very impressive message delivery system, television. What they failed to cover was the difference between professional speakers and experts who speak professionally.

Ten years later, our nation survived a terrorist attack and is in the process of recovering from a recession. Both continue to stun the meetings industry. Professional speaking, as usual, will never be the same ever again!

The industry known as professional speaking is dying. It is dying because professional speakers are not evolving with the marketplace and for that matter the business world at large!

We see it first hand ever day as professional speakers are now looking for jobs. Former school teachers who jumped on the professional speaking band wagon years ago and made a decent living are now unemployed. The main reason this is happening is those professionals have not done anything to evolve. They are waiting for the old school industry to return.

Those professional speakers who are “experts who speak professionally” and know how to be visionaries are the platform orators who will survive and thrive as the industry heals itself.

Fact: Experts, who speak professionally, not just professional speakers, are a vital commodity to corporate America because they can teach, motivate and change the attitude of hundreds of people anywhere in the world in an hour or less.

Fact: The professional speaking industry will never be the same again. Professional speakers whom are not experts who speak professionally will eventually perish and die. The meetings industry can see right through the old fake it till you make it mentality.

Fact: Professional speakers are starting to come outside their heads like a refugee coming out of a bomb shelter after an air attack looking around to see who is left alive. Experts who speak professionally are realizing that they have to reinvent themselves.

Primeau Productions LLC and I have seen a lot of professional speakers come and go. In the following items, we hope to communicate a non arrogant description of a surviving professional speaker. These activities are a collection of items written by Primeau productions staff that experts who speak professionally engage in today.

So, what are the characteristics of a surviving speaker?

Humble
Professional speakers are survivors because they know how to make it through the tough times. They are not arrogant and reluctant to negotiate fees and add value when necessary. They are not insistent on limousines and first class tickets.

Education
Survivor professional speakers continue to learn and grow. They are not broad in subject and able to speak on just about any topic that a client willing to pay for. They are experts and continue to learn and grow rather than remain idol and passive.

Instead, a survivor professional speaker is willing to adapt to market conditions, trends and do whatever it takes to get the job done and impact lives.

Fee structure
Professional speakers are willing to have a fee range instead of a “fee”.
Professional speakers who are experts who speak professionally understand value and negotiation and are not arrogant about negotiation. They shop for the best price when looking for a service and understand their prospects also want to shop around negotiate.

Unique
There are way too many speakers who call themselves “professional speakers” and way too many bureaus who call themselves “speaker’s bureaus”.

Professional speakers who have a brand which is a clear statement prospects remember them by are survivors. Who do you think of when you hear Spreading Contagious Enthusiasm, Attitude is Everything, The Fred Factor?

Speaker’s bureaus that represent a few select professional speakers who are the best of the best will survive. They fill have evolved and provide a service for corporations who need help discovering the speakers to best deliver the perfect message for their organization.

Self Promotion
Survivor professional speakers have a professional website and of course have a world class preview video. They do not rely on speakers bureaus alone to bring them business, but also know how to promote themselves using social media to publish and promote their knowledge.

They are willing to consider alternative marketing strategies like viral video and social media as well as blog’s. They know how to pick and choose the outlets that will help them promote their message and distribute it professionally to those appropriate outlets.

The bottom line is that this industry was built on people helping people to succeed. If some have been fortunate enough to earn a living from helping people, that is wonderful. Napoleon Hill, W. Clement Stone, Earl Nightengale, Og Mandino and Cavett Robert all delivered a message to help people succeed and made a wonderful living from their efforts.

If you are reading this and feel that you do not have anything different to contribute to help people success, get out while you have time before you deplete your life savings. If you are a bureau and have no vested interest in helping people succeed, time to but a fast food franchise.

Rather than just sell every speaker without knowing whether each speaker you represent is still in the business or not, then get another occupation. Make room for those speakers’ bureaus that really have a purpose and mission of helping other people succeed. Yes, there are speaker’s bureaus who still list retired speakers, speakers who have left the industry, and speakers who have even died on their websites. How arrogant to think companies will buy from them!

Be a caring individual with a definite purpose and you will be a survivor.

The Video Revolution

The Video Revolution Continues
Screen capture program aids in forensics, training and marketing




Video is a useful tool that has become woven into the fabric of our day to day lives. At Primeau Productions LLC http://www.videoproductionprimeau.com/ we help our clients create and develop video that helps their businesses grow. One of the software programs we use as a tool is Mac and PC compatible, Camtasia Studio by TechSmith. Camtasia is a screen capture program that turns any computer screen into a marketing and educational experience. It allows the user to record a video of any computer screen while narrating instructions of what you are demonstrating in the video.

Businesses are using video more and more for sales and support, as well as information and training. Software programs like Camtasia help production companies produce high end videos that help businesses and professionals create video products and add video to their websites.

As the Internet continues to grow and the Video Revolution expands, computers will become more widespread as our main video viewing mechanism replacing cable television. TV advertising will be reduced and Internet advertising will skyrocket.

Camtasia is an excellent software program we use as one of our tools to produce training videos for our sister company http://www.ouraftercare.com/, a suite of web solution modules for the funeral industry. We also use Camtasia as a screen capture program for video forensics.
I help my coaching students understand how Camtasia works and we create training and marketing videos they use in their business to help increase efficiency and perceived value.

I also use Camtasia in my forensic practice. I recently had an assignment where the digital video was provided to me for clarification on a cd embedded in a CCTV surveillance proprietary digital video player.

As an aside, security companies who provide digital surveillance video use proprietary video players to keep their surveillance footage secure for later use identifying crimes. However, when I am asked to clarify security footage, it is necessary to have that video outside the proprietary player so other supporting software programs like Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro and Photo Shop can aid in the clarification.

Digital security video is created to be secure and the manufacturers that make digital CCTV systems use technology to encrypt the digital video footage so it can not be manipulated and is reliable in court as authentic. However, as a forensic expert, often times I am asked to clarify events that were not captured clearly so the appropriate outcome can be achieved.

Most CCTV digital video manufactured today has alternative export options in addition to the secure digital video players such as MPEG and AVI. Once the video or images are exported using MPEG or AVI formats; the video is no longer authentic or secure. The video forensic expert has to qualify the work performed and justify to the court why forensic processes are necessary.

So, this recent forensic assignment provided CCTV surveillance footage from a digital CCTV system that did not have the capability to export MPEG or AVI images. Only the predatory video player could be used to view this footage which needed clarification.

Camtasia was a tool I used to capture crisp clean footage from this surveillance system and identify the information necessary to aid in the investigation.

How can you use video in your business to increase your perceived value?

Drop me an email anytime and I would be happy to help you brainstorm ways or answer any questions you have regarding video and The Video Revolution!