3 Main Reasons Why Video Advertising Is Becoming More Popular

Video advertising is the new way to get the message out about your business, services or products. Here are the three main reasons why video advertising is currently one of the most popular internet marketing methods.

With increasing access to broadband connection, online video streaming as a form of advertisement is becoming increasingly popular. Different types of videos abound in the internet – video emails, video instant messages, video broadcasts, and video blogs.

The idea is to create videos that could put out effective advertisements without alienating viewers who have not yet jumped into the online advertisement viewing bandwagon. Internet video blogging sites like YouTube get millions of hits a day so companies are beginning to consider every possible way to get these people who visit these video blogging sites to buy their products or avail of their services.

There are a lot of reasons why video advertising is becoming increasingly popular; here are some of these reasons.

Reason 1: Wide Coverage and Reach

With video advertising, you will be able to reach different people, young or old, male or female. Your advertising will reach millions of people, regardless of their age, sex, and race.

Thousands of websites generate interest from people worldwide. People, especially the younger generation, are cutting off on their other pursuits to give time to online social networks like MySpace and YouTube. YouTube alone has millions of viewers daily.

This opens a whole worldwide market for every business. It is no wonder why an estimated $400 million was spent for video advertising in 2006 alone. This figure is expected to increase in the coming years. With the majority of internet users preferring to purchase products online, more and more videos are created each year in response.

Reason 2: Videos Get the Message Across

Video messaging uses the audio-visual approach, so it's more effective in getting any message across. People would generally respond more to both visual and audio stimulation.

If your video captures your viewer's interest, you could expect a call, an order, or a hit on your site. Scientifically, it has been proven that the probability of people remembering any message is higher if the message was received through both sight and hearing.

Video messaging is a form of a personal communication to your target market. You can create all kinds of videos and send them via email or post them on your websites. You can create video instant messages, emails or blogs. It depends on what form of video marketing would be most effective for you.

Reason 3: Relatively Inexpensive

Online video advertising is not expensive. It is cheap yet it works. It means good business and more profit. It is cheaper than print ads or TV ads. You spend little for the worldwide market. You don't need to have millions of dollars just so you can launch an effective and competitive video advertisement. This levels the playing field for home-based e-business owners like you.

Virtually all kinds of businesses can create their own online video advertisements, upload these videos on YouTube, and embed the streams into their own websites. In an instant, without even paying for a million dollar worth of video ad, small businesses can have video streaming and market to millions of users worldwide.

Capture Cards and Video Editing

I am interested in editing old videos, so I can print pictures from them. At the moment I am looking at Belkin (USB VideoBus II), so I am wondering if this would be a good buy. I am using XP.

Answer: It's hard for me to know if I'm making the right recommendation because I have to make some assumptions about what you're trying to do (I'm not certain whether your main purpose is to edit videos or generate photos). I'm also not a photo editing expert.

Since you mention "old" videos I'll assume VHS, and that you want to capture these videos directly from a VCR to your PC. This is important, because it limits you only to ANALOG capture devices, like the Belkin VideoBus.

If you had a digital camcorder with an ANALOG IN jack, then I'd tell you to get a digital video capture device and capture your video through the camcorder. Because all capturing methods are not equal, and this would allow you to capture your footage in the DV format, which gives you an extremely high-quality AVI capture. This would also be convenient if you ever want to edit and convert footage to digital.

ANALOG devices, by contrast, usually capture in a lower-quality MPEG format, which means you start losing image crispness immediately. Furthermore, with analog technology you lose a bit of quality with every generation of copying/capturing.

But wait. USB makes it worse. Because of the slow connection, USB limits your capture resolution to 352 x 288. That's fine for streaming small video scenes on the Internet, but it's inadequate for archiving. So as you can imagine I'm advising against the Belkin Videobus.

To get the best capture quality, look for an PCI analog capture card - that is, a card which fits into an open PCI slot on your desktop computer and adds the familiar red/white/yellow RCA video jacks to the back of your PC, so you can connect to a VCR (If you've never opened up a PC before, don't be intimidated. Installing one of these is as simple as plugging in an appliance.) Again, if you have a digital camcorder, you'll want a fire wire capture card instead, which operates at higher speeds/higher quality.

Ideally you'll find an analog capture card that captures in a very high resolution format, such as the DV format or DVD-MPEG format (with resolution of 720 x 480). You'd also ideally want a card that comes with software that can capture video, edit video, and produce still image photo output.

A close second choice would be to get an analog capture card that uses USB 2.0, which is much faster than the old USB standard. You can get DVD-MPEG quality from USB 2.0.

I am not familiar with the range of analog capture devices out there. The Dazzle Video Creator 100 is a USB 2.0 device that should get you high-quality images, but I'm not a huge fan of the accompanying software.

Pinnacle makes very intuitive capturing/editing software, but you have to spend over $200 to get their Pinnacle Studio DeLuxe if you want to capture analog video in the DV format. If you want to do photo editing, you'll have to use a separate program, because Studio has only capture capability -- no photo manipulation.

By the way, if you want to print pictures, be aware that even 720 x 480 isn't going to get you the world's most crisp photos. Video images just aren't as fine as photo images. You'll be ok with small printouts, but enlargements might be (so to speak) a stretch.

A Few Words About MP4 Players for the Average Consumer

Just when you thought you were getting a handle on MP3 players and the sea of file formats that you might potentially need supported on any device you purchase, along comes MP4. What are MP4 players and why would you be interested in buying one? In reality an MP4 player, also often referred to as a portable media player, is basically a MP3 player with the added capability of using video format in addition to audio.

MP4 players allow users to store movies, TV shows, music videos, and photos along with songs. Some of these devices even have FM tuners, voice recorder functions, cameras, and built-in TV tuners. The ability to view e-books, play games, access the internet and record from TV are available on some models.

The pricing of an MP4 player varies widely; from under $100 to as much as $2,000. The functions and number of file formats supported however varies widely. It is important to know what audio and video formats you will most often wish to use and which the particular device you are considering will support.

Portable Media Centers are generally the most expensive types of MP4 players and are targeted for an audience with Media Center PCs. The major drawback to portable media center devices is that they don't support DivX and XviD files.

Hard disk MP4 players offer many more features and are more popular due to this and their lower price tag. They offer a built in screen and support for WMA, MP3, DivX, and XviD files as well as others. For anyone searching for a smaller and more durable device, solid state/flash memory type MP4 players are a good choice as they have no moving parts. Files are stored in flash memory or RAM. Pricing for flash memory MP4 players tends to be higher than for the more common hard disk type players.

If cost is the primary consideration, CD/DVD players are probably a good choice. These devices offer large screens and the most reasonable pricing. They do tend to be more bulky however and can skip when jostled around.

When shopping for a MP4/portable media player, new users should put hands on several devices to determine the quality of both the video and audio playback. These features are core to a buyer's satisfaction. Screen size, resolution, and brightness can vary significantly among brands. Some screens offer widescreen viewing and others have screens which reduce glare. When looking at audio quality, the headphones on the device should also be tried. In many instances, purchasing higher quality headphones is worth the purchase price.

Memory capacity of course is also a consideration as video files in particular take up a great deal of space. A half hour TV show for instance may take up 200 MB of space. In case additional storage will be needed in the future, buyers should determine what type of storage can be used and how much it will cost.

Certainly another important factor when making a purchase is to determine which features will be most desired. For instance, will the user want to see lyrics for songs displayed during playback, would they prefer to have HD or widescreen viewing capability, is the ability to connect to the internet important, or would they make use of their MP4 device for playing games? Shoppers should think through how they want to use an MP4 player before making their selection to avoid any disappointment after their purchase.

What is Better - LCD or Plasma TV?

Which flavor of ice cream do you like better: chocolate or vanilla? The flavors are essentially the same but they're also worlds apart when you compare the two part by part, aspect by aspect. And that's what you're facing as well when you're shopping for a new TV. LCD or plasma TV? It's a question that's sure to set your head spinning if you don't possess the right information.

What Makes LCD and Plasma TV Sets Alike
Before we get on with the various differences between LCD and plasma TV sets, let's first take a look at the things they have in common.

To begin with, LCD and plasma TV sets are absolutely a better choice over CRT (cathode ray tube) TV sets. There are various reasons as to why both these new technologies are superior over the one that we had to make do with for generations. Firstly, LCD and plasma TV sets make use of flat screens whereas CRT TV sets make use of rounded screens. If you compare your viewing experience between the two, you'll realize that you enjoy and see more with a flat screen.

Secondly, CRT TV sets are a danger to your health because it emits radiation while LCD and plasma TV sets don't.

LCD and plasma TV sets can also display both standard and high-definition TV formatting. Whether you're watching a program that uses normal or advanced formatting, you're sure to enjoy them both with either a LCD or plasma TV set.

Prices are falling for both LCD and plasma TV sets. Although they don't cost like peanuts, they are certainly much more affordable now so buying either one won't be a pain to your pockets as much as they could have been if you had bought one in the past.

And there ends the similarities between the two. Now, it's time to differentiate LCD and plasma TV sets from each other.

The Battle between LCD and Plasma TV Sets

Most of the differences arising from LCD and plasma TV sets are due to the different process each employs in producing high quality images in its screens. LCD TV sets make use of two liquid crystal panels that react to and against each other to display the appropriate images. Plasma TV sets, on the other hand, make use of a gaseous substance called plasma and which are contained in bubble-like cells of glass. Each glass contains RGB (red, green, and blue) phosphors. When electricity flows into these cells, the colors react accordingly to produce the appropriate images.

Brightness - If you're looking for a TV set that can handle the brightest images, an LCD TV set may be more suitable than a plasma TV set. Brightness is often a concern for aging people as their eyes can only discern images accurately if they're displayed in a brighter setting than usual.

Size - For near-sighted people, a larger TV set is better because it allows them to see images more clearly as everything is magnified by the screen. With regard to sizes, plasma TV sets can offer you more large scale options than LCD TV sets ever could. Generally speaking, plasma TV sets are built to be BIG while LCD TV sets are built to be compact.

Energy Conservation - Because of how LCD TV sets work, they will enable you to save more on electricity costs than plasma TV sets. But the difference between both energy costs is minimal so this must not be considered as a primary factor in the decision-making process.

Contrast Settings - How black is black, and how white is white? That's the question you're asking when talking about contrast. In a black-and-white movie, contrast is everything. Plasma TV sets will offer you better contrast than LCD screens. The margin between LCD and plasma TV sets is huge, so LCD TV sets are definitely second-best in this category.

Burn-In Images - Plasma burning is a somewhat common occurrence while burning is unheard of in LCD TV sets. But since manufacturers are continually come up with better and more effective ways to solve this problem, this shouldn't be a primary factor in the selection process as well.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you. As cost is not a factor between the two, you'll have to mostly depend on your opinion. Just as there's no right answer between chocolate and vanilla, there's no right answer as well for determining which is better between LCD and plasma TV.

Camcorder Lens Filters - What Can They Do For You?

After investing in a good camcorder, a sales person may suggest a lens filter for your new purchase. You wonder, are they just trying to make another sale or is there a justifiable reason for considering adding on a filter? Most of us aren't professional videographers and have no intention of producing a feature film with our camcorder, but lens filters do have a purpose even for those of us who use a camcorder only for recreational purposes.

There are many types of filters for camcorder lenses, each with their own purpose but some of the most common may be of interest to the average consumer as a way of assuring better films and protecting their investment.

Protective filters

A clear filter can be used over the lens of the camcorder to protect it from dirt, fingerprints, and other debris which may scratch or otherwise damage the lens. Replacing a damaged filter is far less expensive than replacing the lens. Using a UV lens filters can also protect against damage from ultraviolet light. Protective lenses are often attached and remain on the camcorder throughout its lifetime.

Polarizing filters

A polarizing filter can act to reduce glare caused by reflected light that bounces off of surfaces such as glass, snow, and water. These camcorder lens filters are particularly useful when filming outdoors where it can be particularly difficult to control reflective light or when shooting a film through a window.

Neutral density filters

Attaching a neutral density filter on your camcorder can help to reduce over exposure in shots as they decrease the amount of light entering the lens. The darker grey the lens filter the more light they filter out and thus the darker the resulting images in the film.

Color correction filters

There are a variety of color correction or color compensating filters that can be used to create different effects. For instance, to make a sunset more red or an ocean more blue. As these tend to be used for more creative or artistic purposes these lens filters are used less frequently by the average consumer.

Diffusion filters

Both diffusion and fog filters on a camcorder can soften images. Diffusion filters in particular are used when filming up close shots of people to flatter their faces by softening any lines or imperfections on the skin.

Although many consumers do not opt to purchase additional accessories for their camcorder, lens filters can be very useful. While some provide a very affordable alternative for protecting expensive camcorder equipment, others allow users to produce better films with less overexposure and more creative effects.