newbie video question
 

I have filmed about 30 videos that I want to put on a mini site. The films are on tape now but I'm about to edit them using Adobe Premiere.

What format is best to save the final videos? What do surfers like? What will be least expensive in terms of bandwidth?

Someone told me to turn them into Flash movies - is that good advice?

(This has probably been asked a million times but I searched and couldn't find anything.)

Big thanks to everyone in advance.

Hi. I would say NOT flash, if it's for members. Avi if they are really long, but mpeg is also not a bad choice. It depends on what compression you are going to use.

In terms of bandwidth, the best will be the smallest file size, of course. The video's should be at least 320x280 in dimension. (that is really small). The smaller the dimensions, the smaller the filesize. Surfers are not members, remember.

Oh sorry yeah, I meant members not surfers.

They might get a preview before they pay but the ones I'm doing now are for the members area.

They're about 10 mins each.

I have some old ones I did last year and they are .mov files. Is that Quicktime? Any good?

Bump. Can anyone help point me in the right direction?

hornychris... icq me.. i am dealing with the same thing..

and BUMP BUMP BUMP

cheapest for you is to stream it... mpeg or wmv

some members would prefer to download but thats more costly for you, either way do mpeg or wmv :upsidedow

what about quicktime?

i hate quicktime, it sucks and always has problems and files are usually larger... usually a very very small percentage of memebrs will use it :upsidedow

Is it easy to convert from Quicktime to AVI or MPG or WMV?

WMV, and mabye MPEG as a 2nd option

Quicktime != good idea

I see NO problems with Quicktime whatsoever. I have some members areas with strictly Quicktime that do very well.

Go to Starwars.com or any other movie trailer site. It's all Quicktime. If Hollywood thinks it's okay to use then so do I :)

Just finished this trailer last night in Quicktime: http://www.facialpeek.com/movie.php?...ailer_0001.mov

Do you guys offer various sizes or just one 'medium' size?

I only offer one size.

I think that movie site surfers are mostly on high speed. You have to be pretty patient to download vids on 56k. + the modem quality vids are so poor I wouldn't want them junking up my site. I use a medium high compression format at 320x240.

Thanks Brad! I appreciate the advice.

Export from Premiere as MPEG & WMV formats- 320x240 size is typical. The bitrate can vary- 700 Kbs or 800Kbs is a decent tradeoff in file size and video quality. Good luck!

Out of interest, what size do you guys size your photos too?

Bump

Any more advice? Is Quicktime MOV files, 320x240 at 800Kbs a good way to go?

For us we use the several formats several speed method with streaming as well as download.
It is primarly WMV and MPG with compressions for 56k, 128k, 500k, & 1000k.
We break them into pieces, and also offer the full scene in all the formats and speeds as well.
For pictures we do a compressed for low bandwidth version roughly 640x480 screen size, then a large screen version for those with larger monitor settings and faster speeds.

great info. Thanks, all!