What format to give to client ?

alltheseworlds wrote on 9/20/2010, 2:21 PM
I'm shooting a 30-minute "beautiful scenes" video of a national park. The client says that the potential market for the video will be mostly older people and (older) tourists from Europe & Asia, and that they will also play the video in their visitor center on loop.

They simply said they wanted a DVD that would play in most players, but that would mean standard -definition (they definitely don't want blu ray)

I'll be shooting 1920x1080 and am wondering what format I should suggest to them.

Should I just stick with standard DVD resolution (for their older audience), or suggest something like a 1280x720 Mp4 and give them a data DVD and SD card ?

Standard definition DVD feels so low-res considering how beautiful the scenery is...

Advice please !

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 9/20/2010, 2:41 PM
They told you what they want. Give them that.

If you want to also make suggestions and give them samples of higher res then by all means do so. But, definitely give them what they asked for first.
alltheseworlds wrote on 9/20/2010, 4:32 PM
Yes, I should have learned by now: just give 'em what they ask for. I think I'm often guilty of "over suggesting".
Rory Cooper wrote on 9/21/2010, 2:08 AM
“Over suggesting” is much better than “no suggesting”

After the Client has given you the brief you can make a suggestion based on what their needs are, this will go a long way in building a good relationship with your client. Be aware of ego’s. suggestions should always be put forth in a manner that the Client is still in control.
musicvid10 wrote on 9/21/2010, 7:30 AM
Put yourself in the client's shoes.

DVD is universally deliverable. HD isn't going to impress their customers if they can't play it out of the box.

Making a HD version available is a nice option but you won't get many takers.
ushere wrote on 9/21/2010, 11:26 PM
i ALWAYS supply my clients with what they want,

and (on separate media):

a. web version (usually mp4 suitable for youtube / vimeo)

b. hd version (most of my client progs are max 20mins or so)

i explain the purpose behind giving them the 'extras', and more often than not, they not only use them (they / marketing hadn't thought of it - duh! mba's!!!), they recommend me to other people because of this....

keep the client happy and your bank account will be too!

alltheseworlds wrote on 9/22/2010, 3:00 AM
I think perhaps I'll just give them the DVD they want and then slip in a 1280x720 mp4 as a bonus ....