Video-the time has come

In May 2006 Google started its click to play video ads. Users click the play button and view the ad.

TV advertising has moved billions of dollars since the masses had the opportunity to get a TV.

The beauty of google ads is the viewers get the chance to hit the play button or not. With TV you had no choice. It just came at you while watching a channel you enjoyed. We were a captive audience.

Online video has really only just started to pick up pace. You are here. At the beginning.

The estimate is that over 50% of homes have broadband. Bandwidth is penetrating the market in huge numbers and rising rapidly.

Mass online viewing in a few years will be like the start of the web.

You must get in on the act.

Experts talk of a full screen, full motion HD video on demand straight to your home. Also noted is the fact there will be a dramatic increase in the number of devices for watching these ads, besides your cellphone and the like.

High speed wireless data will eventually mean you won't have to sit in the front of a computer screen to watch these videos.

Only a few years ago it cost an arm and a leg to get a video up on the net. Its all been opened up so much you can upload a video to youtube and don't have to use the space yourself.

So let's help you on the way a bit.

I have talked about all sorts of ways to make your video but only briefly mentioned the equipment itself.

I shall deal with cameras in this article and deal with other kit in later writings.

Choosing a DV format is similat to choosing what type of film to use when making a movie for the silver screen.( I discuss this fully in my Make a Movie book shortly due for release in ebook format)

You have to research the cost of various formats.

So start with your budget. If its low keep and use the camcorder you have now. Once you've made a few bucks from your initial start and learn't more about the game, then upgrade.

Four categories need to be looked at.

Consumer DV

Lowest image quality. One video chip(CCD) For home videos but being used successfully.

Prosumer DV

Cost twice as much as the consumer. Image a lot higher. Three CCDs.

Professional DV

Anything in the $3-15,000 range. Includes cameras such as DVCAM and DVCPro

You can go higher in this range such as Digital S, Digital Betacam and DVCPro 50. Round the $20-100,000 range.

High definition TV

Highest image quality but out of reach for those with smallish budgets.

Out of that lot above and having the budget of course go for something like the Canon XL1 and SonyVX1000 under 4 grand and in the Prosumer range

New stuff is landing all the time. When buying mention one of those above and ask for any updates.

Thats it folks.