Intro Video as a Brand Video or Brand Statement

This week we discuss the benefits of an intro video.  Should we add one to our YouTube videos. We look at some samples from oztablepc (http://tabletpc.com.au/) and Ben (http://mechanicalmashup.tv/)

Converting Video for YouTube

Converting Video for YouTube is this weeks blog topic. Specifically a real world example from a client this week, we encode a wmv file on the MAC to the H264 CODEC for YouTube.

This article by Phil Cooke confirms what I have experienced with creating video for the online and mobile market.  Attention spans are shorter online.  You need to grab your audience early and keep the video interesting so people wont click away.

One of the questions I am often asked is about when and how to compress videos for encoding to DVD.  While the "how" will have to wait for another post, I intend to discuss the pros and cons of compressing files prior to authoring and during authoring.

When I started this blog my intention was to come up with original content, I intend to do that but I also feel it is important to highlight great answers written by other bloggers.  I dont want this site to become a pointer to other sites rest assured I will continue to comment and write my own articles.  One of the most common issues I hear when it comes to editing, shooting and encoding (in fact a student here at TAFE just said "Why is this still picture flickering on the monitor)  comes back to interlacing issues.

Problems present as "shimmering" still pictures, jerky or jumpy moving shots to footage that "doesn't look right".  Usually it is caused by multiple software packages treating footage or stills differently or more correctly interpretting the interlaced image differently.  I wont keep writing about this as a far more intelligent and eloquent blogger than myself has written an excellent page of information with diagrams etc on this subject.  Check out http://www.100fps.com

Just finished reading this article about Microsofts plans for Windows 7, the update to Windows Vista due ......well whenever they get around to it.

Interesting the supported formats that the new windows will bring, it will hopefully simplfy the playback and encoding of video, removing the need for lots of individual programs like virtualdub, windows media encoder, quicktime pro etc etc.

It would also seem to be a bit of a snub to the movie industry that has always seemed to dictate Microsofts decisions on these matters. The movie industry HATES transcoding and Microsoft is going to make it easier.  Maybe with the release of Windows 7 my Mum will be able to copy videos on to her iPod without having to give me a call!!