Discussing Delivery & Duplication
One of the most confusing parts of completing the video production process is determining how you want your video delivered. There are two primary options:
1. Online
2. DVD
If you opt for Online delivery, you need to decide what format you will be posting the video to your website. Will you be using the “embed” tools from YouTube or would you prefer to host the video yourself? YouTube has come a long way in the quality department. At one time, I strongly urged people NOT to use YouTube for putting videos on their site. The quality was awful & it was a very poor representation of your company. Now, it’s not as bad as it was. However, there are still many good reasons for choosing to host your own video (or using an outside source to host the video & creating a custom player for your site).
1. You can control the LOOK & FEEL of the player to match your site.
2. You can control the BUFFER time (the amount of video that loads before it starts playing), allowing for better playback.
3. You can control the QUALITY. Most settings on personal computers default to the standard definition YouTube setting. In order to see the better quality High Def version, they would have to choose that option.
4. You completely control the BRANDING of your video – no YouTube logos to detract the viewer, making your site look much more professional.
5. YouTube often puts videos “like” yours on the same page as yours or after your video, and you have no control over them! They could be something that goes against your company’s values, or even a link to your competition. One click takes a potential customer away.
6. If you embed a YouTube video, and the person clicks in the wrong spot, they are taken away from your page to the YouTube website. Another lost customer.
If you do decide to go with a YouTube video, make sure that you upload a FLASH version of your video. YouTube videos are played back in Flash format – if you upload any other version, it will go through extra compression, taking away the quality of the video.
If you decide to go with your own player, you have to decide which player you’d like to use. The most common is FLASH. The following is an example of a Flash player.
Other good options are Windows Media and QuickTime. Once you decide the player, determine where on your page you want the video to live, and what size is optimal for that space. A web designer or video producer can help you determine this.
The second type of delivery is DVD. It seems easy – figure out how many you want & order that amount. But wait, what about packaging? What about those cute little DVDs that fit in a pocket?
Step 1: Choose your media – DVD, CDRom or miniDVD (business card size) – Many people ask about the small DVDs. Unfortunately, they are becoming less & less popular – primarily with laptop users! Take a look at your computer. When you put a disc in, does it go in a tray or do you insert it into a slot in the front or side? If it goes in a tray, you should see a small indentation in the tray perfect for these little discs. However, if it goes in a slot, the computer doesn’t have the ability to handle the disc & the disc could get stuck in there! Make sure you consider your users before you choose this type of disc! Regarding CDRom – remember, there is a lot of extra encoding involved in this option, so it might be a bit more expensive than a standard DVD.
Step 2: Choose your quantity – how many do you need? Remember, the more you order, the less they are per disc. Ordering 500 now is much more cost effective than ordering 100 now and 400 later. If you have multiple discs, consider putting them together in the same packaging to cut down on unit costs.
Step 3: Choose your packaging. Here’s where it gets tricky!
- Paper window sleeve – this is a white paper sleeve that the disc slides into. The disc has full color printing that appears through the clear window as an attractive label.
- C-shell – A c-shell case is a hard plastic clear case that is exactly the right size to fit the disc. It is round like the disc and, like the sleeves, allows the disc label to show through the case. This is more durable than a sleeve.
- DVD Case – this is the most common type of case – like the ones that Hollywood movies come in. It is tall in design and typically comes with a full-color wrap around label that can hold a wealth of information. You can also get full-color inserts for the interior of the case to provide additional information. These typically come shrink wrapped for a completely professional presentation.
- Clear Vinyl Sleeve – this is typical for the business card DVDs or miniDVDs. It is clear to allow you to see the artwork on the disc.
- Cardboard Mailer – this is a case and mailer in one! It allows you to provide full color artwork on a sealed cardboard case that protects the disc while giving you room for address information. The case is square & about the same size as a typical CD Jewel case.
There are other options available. Don’t hesitate to ask your producer or duplicator for a custom option as well! I hope this has helped you get through some of the maze-like areas of delivery & duplication!
Hi…
Thanks for this informative post about completing the video production process.
I think flash player for online video is better than other like is Windows Media and QuickTime.
Thanks for above points regarding video productions.