First, we never send tape. Of any kind. Anywhere. +++
One or two clients like a DVD, usually they are the less-savvy ones. One
asked me if I knew anywhere good enough to duplicate DVDs without
generation loss. You know, going down a generation by copying the
original DVD. He was amazed when I told him...
I've discovered that clients will find their own preferences.
Here's what we use from most common to least:
send mpeg1 or wmv or small mov using www.wetransfer.com
put mp4 onto a youtube unlisted link and send link to client.
put FLV on our "backpage", link sent to client.
put FLV onto our site but "backdate" so it doesn't pop up, send
link to client.
Use FTP - ours or theirs. Hardly ever for approval clips. Editors
send edits to us though.
Why do we send MPEG-1??? Because people can play it.
I don't care if it is as uncool as, um, as... you know, as uncool as
anything.
We once had a client asking for a QT MOV. I think DV Anamorphic 48k. Our
Editor "knew better" and insisted on sending H264 mp4. Client would
complain she can't see it, it won't play on her computer. We'd always
have to send again in QT.
Our Editor sniffed haughtily and said "she must have a weak computer
with all the wrong codecs" - "she should upgrade".
He didn't see why he should degrade HIS output.
He was partially right; she DID have a crappy computer, she DIDN'T have
the codecs. BUT!!! She worked in a Big Broadcaster and HER ridiculous IT
department refused to upgrade or give her a better computer or fix or do
anything to allow her to play ANY videos at all.
Seems IT had decided video-playing was for time wasters.
(Ironically, their suggestion was we send to their FTP, the IT Dept
would download and check the file was OK and she could email them to
arrange a time for them to show her the file. Wasting far more of her
time than just letting her watch it!)
Never mind they were idiots. She figured out what she COULD play - and
that's what she was asking us to provide.
Almost cost us the job. She couldn't figure out why we didn't give her
what she asked for.
I couldn't figure it out either.
So I routinely transcoded that Editor's output and sent her what she
asked for.
Radical idea, give the client what they ask for...
BTW we are careful not to give clients anything they could easily use
until the editing and billing process is complete. Sending *some*
clients a DVD is asking for trouble IMHO. Unless you heavily watermark
and I consider that insulting to the client. So, low quality or locked
away on our Server (they can download from youtube but not from our
backpage).
Sometimes it's not all about the client's convenience.
john
+++ never sending tape may change later this year.
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