[Craig Seeman]

It’s a longish shot but try changing the buffer size when doing CBR encoding.

[Craig Seeman]

I use Mac most of the time for my encodes but have done DV AVIs on WME on Windows often enough.

I will say your data rate is low for full frame size and frame rate. When doing CBR encodes adjust the Quality setting, sometimes called Smooth/Sharp to a low number (even Zero if needed).

I’d try dropping the frame size to 384×288 (maybe smaller depending on content). You’ll get a much nicer looking encode.

VBR encoding won’t work for streaming. Progressive download is another matter.

These data rates are VERY LOW for that frame size and frame rate IMHO.

[Craig Seeman]

The On2 FLV encoding in Episode is blazing fast compared to Squeeze. I do like Squeeze’s including FLV player though.

[Craig Seeman]

Hi Don,

Your source is “known” so that’s good.
You need to define your target(s) as a next step. There may certainly be more than one answer but here’s some of the questions:
Desktop presentation, what computer power and how projected.
Web presentation, connections speed and decoding power of typical targeted viewer.
Will it be a 40 continuous piece on a streaming (mms type) server or will you break it into multiple parts for progressive download (http type).
What is purpose of the video – business to business or high end target, consumer with less expensive slower broadband, public service or in regions with heavy dial up or slow broadband access.

One you define your target test and time the encode at the given target settings for a 2 minute section and you’ll have a good idea what 40 minutes will take, give or take.

[Craig Seeman]

Working in DV?

You can export DV .avi using Quicktime Conversion in FCP. You can also do DVCPro50 .avi. The one thing missing is the ability to do DVCPro100(HD) .avi.

The above wraps the DV in AVI so there’s no significant loss in quality. I often do this to compress files with WME on XP. I have no NLE on my XP machine and it has no problem handling the above (well I have Avid Free to play around with).

[Craig Seeman]

I was able to start playing with it a few days before its release. I’d use Compression Master and had been a beta tester for Flip4Mac Export. Episode Pro adds support for GXF, MXF and IMX output and MPEG2 transport streams (.ta). Pro also includes unliimited batch processing and the ability to work in server based situations although I haven’t tried the later. I think there’s also some additions to “mobile/cell phone” type support. It’s not a major major change. It’s gone from version 4.0.2 of Compression Master to 4.1.1 of Episode. Episode is around $400 and Pro is in the $800 to $900 range so the later seems geared towards facility/large scale processing as a big selling point. All in all it’s a .1 update with major improvements in scalability.

[Craig Seeman]

[Nick Griffin] “And then there is Head On – obviously repetiton works.”

The “Plan 9 From Outer Space” of TV Spots.

[Craig Seeman]

Ron, it’s the get it in writing part that’s important. Exactly what is good wording? I’d NEVER leave this to a phone conversation. I don’t mind going under 15%. I actually expect it for this kind of client (low budget) which, in the grand scheme of things, is not a big sale for the cable companies but is for the client.

BTW part of the services I’m rendering is getting the rates. The client has NEVER done this before. Has no idea what the costs are. Doesn’t have the time to gather the info and learn how to do this. I know what the rates are around the state so I’m helping the client with the budget. I’ll be able to match the budget with the rates and help them spend efficiently so they hit the target the best they can given their budget.

[Craig Seeman]

Keep the thoughts coming. I’m gaining some good insight at this end of the business.

Interesting how Nick new this involved politics. He must have remembered that from my previous posts.

Locally, I’ve done cable spots. Sometimes the cable company send me business on spots that are unprofitable for them to produce. When I’ve done local cable spots I either send them to the sales rep or I help them do the buy and simply add that to my package price.

Recently some people have been contacting me just to help with the buy (they usually have “self produced” ads (one might imagine the quality). I had been turning this business away since the buy was often small (on par with the fact that they “self produced” the ad) and taking any percentage wouldn’t amount enough to make it worth the phone call and paperwork time.

I have been approached recently by someone who wants to advertise statewide. It was through a recommendation (we know word of mouth works). It’s a lower budget client of course but higher budget than the others I’ve mentioned above. They can certainly afford a targeted statewide buy.

I’m curious about being a “recognized” ad agency though. Ultimately the cable companies want to sell their time so I can’t imagine them saying no to a buyer (unless it’s unprofitable of course). Obviously the bigger the volume (as “recognized” agencies can do) the greater potential for discount/markup. Keep in mind that political candidate ads are already “discounted.”

Wouldn’t worse case scenario would be that I get the client the “book” rate and charge the client for my services based on the buy?

Additionally, does one create a contract (and what does it look like) if the cable company gives you the percentage vs a contract with the client.

I see three business models (maybe more?).
1) Client pays me and I write check to cable company, taking my cut.
2) Client hands cable company check and another check made out to me for my fee and I hand check to cable company (assuring I get paid).
3) Client hands me check for cable company and the cable company writes me a check for percentage (how the “kick back” – I hate that phrase – works?).

It seems that since I’m not a “recognized” agency and this is not a local buy (those folks know me and certainly want me to bring them regular business) that (2) seems to make the most sense. In this case I would assume the client signs contract with cable company, I do the administrative work, and have a separate contract with the client for such consulting work.

BTW, I agree with Nick, since I am experienced in dealing with politics/political campaigns one always gets paid no later than on(before) delivery with such campaigns. Never allow a political campaign to owe you money.

Feel free to keep chewing at this. Thanks for your thoughts. Please do tell me about the various forms of contracts for such things too.
Given the nature of the beast, I won’t be able to monitor the airwaves for delivery but I would get (and have to trust) the cable reports on when aired (as I have done for local spots). I’m concerned about being in the middle of any discrepancies that may happen.

[Craig Seeman]

How important is quality and accesibility for you?
Can you do WMV (Flip4Mac, Compression Master)? Do you have Sorenson Pro 3 (you have to buy it and use in Cleaner for best quality or buy Squeeze)?
Is the video for “home” viewers or is it a demo that you want to land you work? For the later I’d use at least 320×240, full frame rate, 500kbps (depends on content and your target market).