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| I have been working on these things for a couple of weeks now, really trying hard to get the quality where it needs to be, playing with alot of different formats but mainly getting the production process down. Here is what we are going to end up with; good news is I am now REALLY happy with the quality I am getting on these things.
1. The clips, in fact ALL future clips on the site, will be available in 2 different media formats: Windows Media 9 and QuickTime. It came down to a quality vs availability issue. Players for these 2 formats are readily available, free, and cover the spectrum of platforms and browser types.
2. The clips will always be encoded with the best available codec for these 2 players. Right now that is Sorensen 3 (QT) and Media 9 (Windows). This may mean having to keep your players regularly updated etc, but that is a good thing to do anyway. We will help by always having the latest information and links posted at http://www.muskiefirst.com/media/ .
3. We will only provide clips encoded at broadband bit rates, normally around 350 kbps. The reasoning is that the quality is so low on a modem stream that disappoinment with the clip is inevitable. To get around this for modem users, in addition to the streaming version we will always provide a downloadable version that you can save to your hard drive and play locally. If the content warrants it, we will also provide an audio-only alternative that anyone can stream.
Media Players
Windows Media Player 9 - If you have Windows 98 or newer, do yourself a favor and download Media Player 9 from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/ . After installation, in the skin chooser select "corporate" and then click "apply skin" . this will give it the nice compact look of the old 6.4 version. Only PC's with Windows 95 and newer will be able to view the Media 9 version of the clip.
QuickTime - All other OS's (Win95, Mac, etc) need to download OuickTime 6 at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ .
I am cranking a number of these out over the next 2 days. Zalt, Holcombe, and River Run are completely finished. RiverRun was my test clip, I think I've viewed it a thousand times by now, but that Manta still looks better every time I watch it. Slammer, VooDoo, and ERC are in encoding right now, and the rest are sill being edited, with any luck, in time for the weekend.
Finally, stop by the MF booth at the show this weekend, we have some great sign ups and giveaways. I may have a machine set up with all of these bait demos on DVD, to help everyone choose what they would like to buy at the show. Word also has it that the new MF hats/sweatshirts/tshirts will be there as well.
Thanks,
Zach
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| I did get a sneak peak.....and WOW!!!!
I think the vendors and members of this site will be amazed at the quality of these videos. Very educational, and a great way to shop for the style of lures you are looking for.
Excellent job ZACH![:bigsmile:] |
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Posts: 145
Location: Eau Claire, WI | How about an update on the status of the pool demo videos. |
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Posts: 429
| MuskyTrap just went up this evening, Tinsel Tails is on deck, and I think my guys are getting me Slammer and Bucher tomorrow. As I do these, I am just amazed at the quality of Windows Media 9 video vs file size. MuskyTrap Windows Media was half the size and double the quality of the QuickTime6-encoded version. If you can download the Windows 9 player do it, is is worth it for the higher quality.
Zach |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Very Cool Zach....look forward to seeing them.
Thanks for the update. |
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| What is a VECTOR GRAPHIC RENDOR(ER)??? Thing comes up and says I need a cd rom or something to download the 9 set up. The computer is a 98...should I wait until the spongette arrives, or should I attempt to do this...I cannot afford to screw this thing up! |
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Posts: 429
| Sponge,
You need to upgrade to Media Player 9.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/player.aspx
Should be the second link for Win 98.
Zach |
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| Ok thanks Zach, I'll call the wife to make sure it's ok!  |
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