We're shooting a talking head in front of a green screen. The web designer, to whom the video will be delivered, wants the video "compressed" before he does the compositing.
Why?
Why Compress Video...?
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Jay Gladwell
wrote on 8/2/2006, 3:35 AM
Sorry, but I need to clarify a couple of things:
I guess I misunderstood Winrock's question. The final file type (when it's all done) will be Flash. The web guy did not ask me for Flash. He simply said "Compress the video so the files won't be so big." He wasn't even aware of file types for video. When I tried to pursue his line of thinking is when the communications began to break down. There was no "common ground." It was like I was speaking English and he was speaking Chinese. He just wanted the image/files "smaller" so they weren't too big.
Insofar as "backups" are concerned, whenever possible, I always bring the video back here and make a dupe in case there are any accidents.
Bjorn, if what you suggest is what he is doing, he never said anything that came close to that. That I would have understood. However, as Dave mentioned, the price quoted was for the work asked for. After much discussion, they refused to follow my counsel. So they get exactly what they asked for and what they paid for. "You shoot the video, then send it to the web guy. He will take care of the rest."
If that makes me a jerk, then I am certain this will confirm it in the minds of those who had their suspicions.
TheHappyFriar
wrote on 8/2/2006, 5:48 AM
if all he wants is compressed, DV is compressed. It's smaller then uncompressed. :?
deusx
wrote on 8/2/2006, 12:49 PM
File size makes no difference. I've been hearing the same thing with audio, people importing MP3s into flash instead of uncompressed.wav files, which is wrong.
The end file size will be the same when flash compresses that wav into mp3. By starting out with an mp3 you will most likely just have problems, things not looping properly and worse sound, and will save nothing file size wise.
It's a rule that should be followed. Always import the highest quality possible, then let flash compress it on export. If you are exporting video only, then obviously you would use a third party compression ( Sorenson or ON2 ) for better quality.
It is very unreasonable to ask for compressed files whether this is to be imported into flash or imported into after effects for keying. I don't see how client would save any money no matter what he uses. It can only result in better quality, and actually if he's charging by the hour it should be cheaper since he should be able to get a good key faster with uncompressed video ( as opposed to never gonna happen with compressed video ).
And if as suggested you are to send him a compressed file with an alpha channel, that would definitely make it more expensive because then you have to do the keying before sending it to him.
It's pretty obvious they plan on keying this and compositing everything for final flash output. But they don't really know how it's supposed to be done.
The end file size will be the same when flash compresses that wav into mp3. By starting out with an mp3 you will most likely just have problems, things not looping properly and worse sound, and will save nothing file size wise.
It's a rule that should be followed. Always import the highest quality possible, then let flash compress it on export. If you are exporting video only, then obviously you would use a third party compression ( Sorenson or ON2 ) for better quality.
It is very unreasonable to ask for compressed files whether this is to be imported into flash or imported into after effects for keying. I don't see how client would save any money no matter what he uses. It can only result in better quality, and actually if he's charging by the hour it should be cheaper since he should be able to get a good key faster with uncompressed video ( as opposed to never gonna happen with compressed video ).
And if as suggested you are to send him a compressed file with an alpha channel, that would definitely make it more expensive because then you have to do the keying before sending it to him.
It's pretty obvious they plan on keying this and compositing everything for final flash output. But they don't really know how it's supposed to be done.
bakerbud9
wrote on 8/2/2006, 8:22 PM
yeah, that's exactly what i was thinking: DV is compressed :)
rmack350
wrote on 8/2/2006, 11:57 PM
Exactly. I really doubt that they know what they're doing. But, you give your advice and then do what they insist on.
Rob Mack
Rob Mack