Profits In The Era Of File Sharing

This post about Comcast's COO playing the "Damn Kids" card kinda misses the point:

"An entire generation is growing up, if we don't figure out how to change that behavior so it respects copyright and subscription revenue on the part of distributors, we're going to wake up and see cord cutting."

The comments set the story right, especially "Schmoker":

"It has long been established that once a network broadcasts a show for free over the airwaves (and cablewaves) it is fair game. You could videotape it and share it to your hearts content so long as you did not charge for it. That's been the law ever since the VCR was introduced. Now, thanks to the internet making modern "tape sharing" so easy and widespread, they want all sharing to be made illegal."


Schmoker then goes on to cite the dozens of cable strips that make money both when broadcast and on DVD. (BSG anyone?) He nails it in his close:

"They simply want the laws changed in order to try and recreate a scenario that is never coming back: being able to make money off of failure."

Audiences will pay for quality. Online exposure through piracy can help you if you are smart.

Peter

Loser

I think recognizing a music cut on ESPN as one you have used in your day job defines one as a loser.

Guilty as charged.

Peter

Why is a Center Cut so hard?

I'm working on a project for a client that uses 16:9 source material. They need a 4:3 output.

On a PC Avid Newscutter that is pretty much an impossible task.

The path of least resistance is actually to export 16:9 Same as Source, import into After Effects, and let AE do the math. You export whatever size raster you want.

Amazing that the market leader falls down on something that seems that simple.

Peter

Support

Word is working its way down the chain that Avid will soon (if not already) sell tech support for Final Cut Pro in addition to the myriad of Avid tools. I think this is smart and long overdue.

First, since nobody really does paid support for FCP, its a market waiting to be exploited. While we all have had our complaints about Avid Tech Support, the do have the infrastructure to take on another line of service. Hire some experts and away you go.

Second, I think it is a smart strategy to take with a product that had been eroding your market share. You become a one stop shop for all of those facilities that have both programs in house. You may even develop ways for the two programs to work together.

The biggest advantage to the new service (besides cash) may be in product research. Providing tech support for a product will give you tremdous insight into what it does well and where the weaknesses are. You will gain an intimate understand of how users apply FCPs features, and you could develop your Avid product line in the long term to take advantage of those weaknesses. You can build a product that competes with FCP head-to-head if you want to, or at least understand where your tool is "Pro" and where theirs is "Toy" if you want to market that way.

Both programs have much to learn from the other. For the consumer, Avid Tech Support is a good option, considering the alternative.

Peter

Skills

It should go without saying, but anyone who can do NASCAR race coverage using a jib has serious, serious skills.

Example #384 of how average I am.

Peter

Sign of the Times

One of the trade mags I receive gave me the following choice: Pay us $20 to renew your print version, or let the electronic version fill your in box for free.

Another step forward in the decline of print.

Peter

The Right Tool

I feel like I need to give a tip 'o the hat every single day I edit to whoever thought up the "Fit To Fill" tool. It gets me out of so many editing corners. Nice work, anonymous software coder!

Peter