From a business point of view, can I justify the purchase of an Avid adrenaline instead of an FCP system? Discussion

[Mark Raudonis]

You’re correct in guessing that we’re all “in house”. However, all we do is longform, “network” reality television shows. Hours of it per week. Our “clients” are network programming executives who don’t give a hoot about what we cut on . They just want ratings.

I acknowledge that we are in different ends of the business, but the principle remains the same. If you’re basing a business plan soley on a “brand name” NLE, then you’re selling the wrong thing. Talent and experience will always prevail. The box is becoming a commodity. So… if it’s a commodity, then go for the best price and figure out how else to “add value” to your service. The days of high priced room rates are over for all but a very small slice of the market.

mark

[Mark Raudonis]

[Mike Most] “I think you and I know that on a purely business level, it’s not that simple. Things that might on the surface appear equal are not always equal.”

I think you and I know that you’re implying that the “Avid Status quo” is a safer business bet. I disagree. Look at all of the post houses that have gone under/sold out or consolidated in the last few years. Why is that? The economics of this business are changing. Gone are the million dollar on-line rooms. Gone are the high room rates that supported them. Gone is the “if we build it they will come” business model. In my mind, what appears to be equal is not… it’s better than equal.

mark

[Peter]

The thing Samuel keeps refering back to is, “from a business perspective”, although I think he’s missing the point of his own question.

The true answer to this question has been touched on a few times in this thread. Forget Avid vs. FCP. “From a business perspective”, It’s about your clients needs and wants. Send out a survey and ask your clients what they think about Avid vs. FCP. And while you’re at it ask them a host of other questions about what’s important to them. It’s possible that Avid vs. FCP is the least of their concerns.

As a service provider it’s about seemless execution with the tools of your trade, the quality of your work, and client service. Do you care if your plumber uses a Stanley as a brand? I don’t. I care that he calls me back in a timely manner, does excellent work, shows up on time, is an expert in his field, etc.

If you have a $150,000/year client that will go someplace else that has an Avid if you switch to FCP then your Avid purchase may be justified. So ask them what they think. Take your big clients out to lunch and ask them, instead of a survey if you feel more comfortable that way. It all comes back to your clients. “From a business perspective”, they’re the ones that should dicatate which way you go.

[Peter]

By going FCP, will my clients or potential clients think that I am a “B” company because I don’t have either Avid or discreet (the 2 daddies of high end stations) on offer?
Will I find more difficult to bring new clients by offering FCP instead of Avid/ discreet?
What’s the general perception of FCP as a high end system?
Will I be considered a low budget facility?
How many serious budget productions would consider doing post on FCP compared to Avid/ Discreet?

Ask your clients. Ask your prospective clients.

[Bob Woodhead]

I think the business model of “service bureau” (providing ingest, output, etc) will have a short lifespan when continuing technology changes are factored. Look at all the interest the new Panny P2 camera is generating. Starting this fall I can produce HD (not HDV) content without it once hitting videotape! Shoot onto P2 cards, field offload to portable HDD, dump onto editing RAID, print to DVD9. (OK, broadcast will still require tape.)