FAQ

PROJECT FAQs

Why produce a video?

Video allows your audience to see, hear, and connect with you. A promotional video is valuable marketing tool which can be highlighted on web sites, distributed on DVD, shown at trade shows, and played in corporate lobbies. Training videos are an efficient way to provide consistent, effective training while saving significant training dollars.

What determines the cost of my production?

Every video project is customized to your objectives and budget. The cost is determined by:

  • Length of finished project
  • 2D & 3D Graphics
  • Hired talent (actors/voiceover talent)
  • Music
  • Video shoot location(s)
  • Delivery formats (DVD, CD-ROM, hyperlink, etc)
  • Editing hours required
  • Script writing
  • Producer and/or director
  • Subtitles and/or captioning
  • Translation and transcription services

 Please contact us to discuss your project and we’ll provide a customized quote.

How does the production process work?

We first meet with you to determine your message and objectives. This gives you the opportunity to express how you envision the end result and what you want to accomplish. From that point, the production process generally flows like this:

 

  1. Detailed project description and estimate provided
  2. Estimate approval
  3. Pre-production meeting and introduction to your Project Manager
  4. Schedule created
  5. Production: shoot, voiceover sessions, music selections, etc.
  6. Post Production: editing, programming, DVD authoring, compression, etc.
  7. Final approval and delivery

 

What ways can you deliver our company video?

Your project can be delivered in various file formats, including files for your website, on DVD or CD-ROM. Website files are used to engage viewers with facility tours, CEO welcomes, company overviews, training, or product demonstrations. DVDs can be distributed at trade shows and used in any DVD player. CD-ROM files, which are played in a computer, include electronic press kits, video and company catalog hybrids, interactive virtual tours, and video players for multiple video selections.

TECHNICAL FAQs

What is Sony XDcam-HD tapeless media work flow?

Compared to typical tape-based production, XDCAM tapeless production delivers a host of powerful benefits:

  • You can view recorded scenes immediately on the camcorder's LCD monitor, with no need to fast forward or rewind. Then you can return to shooting immediately, without first cueing back to the end of the last shot.
  • Proxy AV enables you to quickly transfer relatively small files to a laptop for immediate viewing, logging, selecting takes and cuts-only editing.
  • Proxy files can be transferred at far faster than real time from the field to the studio.
    This enables proxy editing to begin before the full-resolution assets arrive.
  • XDCAM assets are data files that can be stored on any PC storage device and
    transferred over any data network.
  • XDCAM assets can be browsed across a data network, enabling a producer sitting at a PC in New York to view the contents of a disc loaded into a deck in Moscow.
    -Answer supplied from Sony’s HDCAM System FAQs
What is the difference between standard definition and Sony Blu-ray High Definition?

Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD) is the name of a next-generation optical disc format. The name Blu-ray is derived from the underlying technology, which utilizes a blue-violet laser to read and write data. The name is a combination of "Blue" (blue-violet laser) and "Ray" (optical ray). The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data. The format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 25GB on a single-layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc. Over 9 hours of high-definition (HD) video can be put on a 50GB disc. If you have standard-definition (SD) video content, you can fit about 23 hours on the same size 50 GB disc.

Blu-ray discs are not just for high-definition video. Blu-ray also supports greater audio quality as well. These include Linear PCM, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD as well as DTS, and DTS-HD.
In addition to the greater video and audio quality, the extra storage capacity also means there will be plenty of room for additional content and special features. This combined with the new BD-J (Java) interactivity layer adopted by Blu-ray will bring the menus, graphics and special features to a whole new level. The advanced interactivity combined with the networking features of Blu-ray will also allow content producers to support new innovative features such as downloading extras, updating content via the web, and watching live broadcasts of special events.

At first glance, Blu-ray and DVD discs look the same. What you don't see is within that shiny plastic disc. Here are some key differences between Blu-ray and a standard DVD. The first major difference is disc storage capacity. A Blu-ray disc can store 25GB on a single layer and 50 GB on a dual layer disc. Compare that to 4.7 GB on a single layer and 8.5 GB on a dual layer standard DVD. As stated previously, this storage capacity is needed to handle the higher resolution 1920x1080 (1080p) HD content. The standard resolution of a DVD is only 720x480. Also, to handle the higher resolution video, the data transfer rate is almost 5 times that of a standard DVD. Not only is Blu-ray capable to handle HD video, but it offers a level of interactivity not found on a standard DVD thanks to BD-J.

Should you upgrade to Blu-ray? If you've have HD content or have ever seen high-definition (HD) video on an HDTV, then you know just how incredibly sharp the picture is and how vivid the colors are. In fact, HD offers five times the amount of detail compared to standard-definition (SD). This is where Blu-ray comes in. Blu-ray satisfies the storage capacity needs of HD. Thanks to the greatly enhanced HD video and audio quality as well as the advanced interactivity and networking features, Blu-ray represents a huge leap forward in the DVD viewing experience and will offer consumers an unprecedented HD experience.

COMPANY FAQs

What sets digital OutPost apart?

Because all our services are under one roof, we are able to maximize our flexibility, communication, and consistency, while still maintaining competitive rates. digital OutPost offers broadcast quality award-winning video production in high definition, and we are the only production house in San Diego that can author high definition footage to a Sony Blu-ray disc. digital OutPost has been involved with video production and Internet technologies before “internet” was a buzzword. Although we provide all forms of delivery, we specialize in compression for video. We have won national awards for providing the best size to quality ratio for online distribution with no extensive download times or stuttering video.

Can you travel?

Yes, we can. Our crew and equipment have traveled all over the United States, as well as internationally to create training, marketing, and PR videos.

How big is your company?

We are the largest video production provider in San Diego, with over 20 full-time employees. With all necessary employees under one roof, we do not have segmented communication lines, enabling us to maintain total quality control and communication during the production process. We welcome you to visit our Carlsbad facility.

What types of awards have you won?

We have won many Aurora and Telly awards. The Aurora Award recognizes those in the video and film industries who have tackled innovative subject matter in an effort to raise the level of consciousness of their audiences. The Best of Show is the highest honor given.

The Telly Awards were founded in 1980 to showcase and give recognition to outstanding film, video, and non-network television programming. The Telly has become one of the most sought-after awards in the commercial video industry and symbolizes a significant creative achievement for winners.