Val's Snow Special; Price Falls With The Snow

Rockville's 12" of snow fall in this latest version of blizzard hell brings you some relief in the form of a 24% (2% per inch) discount on Video Labs creative services (http://tinyurl.com/yejzv6w)(postproduction, authoring, graphic design) through the end of February 2010.



Contact Valerie Yoscak for your discount.



301-217-0000 ext. 115

valerie@videolabs.net

http://www.videolabs.net/

Use All Forms Of Media To Communicate

Let Your Message Evolve. . .

Communicating Your Message
At Video Labs, we love it when a customer stops by to regale us with nostalgic tales of the good old VHS days. The typical comment is, "Can you believe we used to work with VHS?"

We know, we know. Things were so simple back then. These days the media landscape is a vast frontier with many options for communicating your message - online delivery, webinar, social media, high definition videotape, and, of course, optical discs like Blu-ray, DVD and CD. Planning a marketing strategy in this changing economy can be a challenge. So, how should you spend your valuable marketing dollars to convey your message and effectively hit the target audience? Which screen is the best for your message?

Good News - There are Many Eggs for All the Baskets
The American appetite for consuming media has never been greater - Nielsen reports that the average user logged 140 hours of TV, 27 hours of Internet and 3 hours of mobile screen time per month; 57% of consumers reported watching TV while simultaneously online at least once a month. Industry experts have a name for it - "The Three Screens" - TV, computer and mobile device. Based on that, smart marketing includes a comprehensive approach - one version for each screen. Thus, your strategy to convey an important message would be served best by using
multiple media formats, increasing your chances of reaching the audience.

Industry Update - Discs Get You Noticed!
Not so fast! Slow down ! Don't pull the plug on discs yet! While some might say that online delivery of corporate presentations offers the most cost-effective approach, consider some of these recent industry studies.

> For video, DVD is still an industry standard for quality, accessibility and ease of use. While it's been thrilling to see the increase in quality of web-related video, viewing can still be compromised by slow to intermittent connection speeds. In addition, it's difficult to determine if the viewer has proper software to view your video for optimal quality and functionality.

> Standards of quality for online hosting sites have increased as these sites have started to generate revenue from ad sales. Still, most sites restrict video into a browser window where it may sit side-by-side with plenty of other 'stuff' - all of which distract and detract from your message. For educational and training materials, you'll want to keep your viewer's attention as long as possible.

> Industry research indicates that cross-platform users will opt for the'best screen available' when given a choice, making their selection based on quality of screen experience, convenience and availability. Sales of HD TVs are still strong despite the slow consumer market for electronics.

> High quality packaging for disc media offers you an additional opportunity to enhance your message, providing a tangible look and feel. Social media messaging and emails can be easily lost and overlooked in the onslaught of messages that are received but a hard copy disc, nicely presented, may stay on someone's desk with your message front and center.

Communication Connection
The staff at Video Labs advises clients to consider all factors when communicating messages. Before settling on a particular type of media, consider the audience and what action is being asked of them. Video Labs will work with you to ensure the most effective forms of media are being used to communicate your message.

http://www.videolabs.net/
(800)800-8240
(301)217-0000
sales@videolabs.net
15237 Display Court
Rockville, MD 20850

Happy Holidays from Video Labs

http://www.videolabs.net/video-production/index.htm

Online Video Production

Got a Message? We Can Help!
Video Labs Online Video Production

We all know how quickly an entertaining video can makes its way around the web. Effective online video marketing is fast becoming the premiere advertising vehicle, thanks to high-speed connections, no cost hosting sites like YouTube and the popularity of social networking sites. Smart marketers are taking advantage of these cost effective methods of spreading their message - now you can too!

Check out the latest statistics:
> In effectiveness, online video beat TV ads in both product recall and brand awareness by more than 35%. Experts believe that online viewers are more actively engaged than TV viewers. So, product demos and information pieces tend to have a better response online.

> Compared to other forms of web ads, viewers click video ads twice as often. And, click-through rates are 4-5 times higher than ads with traditional text and images.

> Viewers tend to watch a video two-thirds of the way through - so, keep the message short and keep it up front.

With the right presentation, online videos can entertain, inform and ultimately bring visitors to your website. Whether you've got a product or service to demonstrate, a branded corporate presentation to post or a training seminar for your employees, Video Labs can help you plan, produce and shoot an effective web video. Contact your Video Labs Account Representative today!

(800)800-8240
(301)217-0000
sales@videolabs.net
www.videolabs.net

Captioning for the Web

It's moving fast - very, very fast. Can you imagine the world without the web? It's easily the most important invention of our time. And, it's changed our industry for good. But, for the hearing and vision impaired, web sites present all kinds of new challenges - consider how many times you need to click a mouse, read a monitor or listen to instructions just to navigate. And, according to the US Census, close to 20% of Americans have some form of disability that may require specialized technology for ease of use. Video Labs can help you navigate the world of Captioning and Alternative Media Description so that all users have access to your video and ultimately, your message.

Closed Captioning - One "Size" Does Not Fit All
Most of us who work with the federal government are familiar with the 1973 Rehabilitation Act (Section 508) and the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 that requires accommodation for the hearing and vision impaired (www.section508.gov). With this legislation, the government ruled that all televisions 13" or larger be equipped with devices that capture and decode the closed captioning on Line 21 of the broadcast video signal (www.videolabs.net/multimedia/captioning.htm) and this is still the industry standard for broadcast media.

For web video, it's a whole new ballgame. Government agencies must be compliant for Section 508 for all video posted on the web, but this can get a little tricky. When planning your project, it's best to find out in advance what format best suits the needs and standards of the web site administrator.

Compression Session
Unfortunately, when you digitize and then compress from video tape with captions, the caption signal is not consistently recognized by software used for viewing (like Windows Media Player, for example). So, specific data files are used depending on multimedia programming software being utilized. Someone using Flash to create a website may need a file called .xml in pop-on style, while Windows Media video files can be closed captioned using a data file called .smi. Some prefer English subtitles or open captions that cannot be 'turned off,' ensuring ease of use. For high quality videos with a frame size of 720 x 486, it's possible to preserve standard captions from Line 21 in a Quicktime or Windows Media files for posting on some websites.

For Low Vision and Vision Impaired - Let's "Hear" it for Alternate Audio
We're receiving more requests than ever about Alternate Audio for web site videos - it's a sign of the times. But, how do vision impaired users navigate a computer-based environment where a mouse click is so necessary? Computers are outfitted with specialized screen reader software and refreshable Braille displayers so that the users can find their way. For web programmers, it means allowing for keyboard short cuts for a Braille keyboard user. Alternate audio embedded in the website can help a vision impaired user to navigate through a web site by sound. For more on this subject, Utah State University has provided an excellent website to support and explain these technical standards (www.webaim.org) for compliancy.

For video, Video Labs provides 'media description' services (aka - "alt-audio" or "audio description") so that actions on screen are included as an additional track of audio. For disc media like DVDs or CDs where a menu is used for navigation, our authoring specialists can include extra audio files that, when engaged, instruct the user on how to access the content. Alternatively, a "Read Me" file can be included so that screen reader software installed on a computer can explain needed information. For more information on these enhanced interfaces, check out the article about 'talking menus' pioneered by the Media Access Group at WGBH in Boston. (http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/mag/services/description/).

To view samples of the different types of web videos in this newsletter - http://www.ada.gov/videogallery.htm

Please view our new brochure which depicts Video Labs multitude of media solutions. You may also want to follow us on Twitter as our staff has much to say and you may even find some of it valuable.

Video Labs Welcomes the DTV Evolution

Despite setbacks, the latest industry news predicts that the DTV 'big switch' will be flipped on June 12, 2009 (www.nab.org). High- quality digital television will be more readily accessible across the country and, at the same time, broadcasters will have more High Definition capabilities. While many are already accustomed to the optimal viewing experience of digital television, this transition still presents a milestone in our industry. At Video Labs, we're here to help you be ready for the "Evolution" of broadcast delivery.

SpoTTrac DigitalCertified for Nielsen Tracking Services
Video Labs has added a Nielsen-certified SpoTTrac Digital encoding system to its host of broadcast services, replacing the outdated analog Sigma encoder. Producers, advertisers and broadcasters have long relied on Nielsen Tracking Services to verify audience exposure to its messages. With SpoTTrac Digital, we'll help you make the transition to TV's next big milestone. SpoTTrac Digital features the latest tracking mechanism for PSAs and commercials - an embedded watermark in the audio that transfers to all formats including broadcast tapes, DVDs and even digital video files (like Quicktime files for the web). During the real-time encoding process, SpoTTrac Digital embeds Nielsen's patented ID into both the video and audio content and does not affect the quality. As an extra efficiency, Nielsen's tracking information is sent automatically via the Internet for overnite reporting.

High Definition Closed CaptioningIt's an HD World We Live In
What's next, you might ask? You guessed it - captioning and subtitling for High Definition formats. Our new HD captioning encoder has been polished, tested and is presently ensuring broadcast projects are fitted for HD closed captioning. We chose the HDE-3000 from Link Electronics as it meets with the strictest requirements for broadcast while also allowing us to insert slates, bugs, TV rating icons and subtitling. Count on us to support you with captioning services for 1080i, 1080p, 1080sf and 720p HD deliverables as well as captioning services for all your standard definition tape formats, DVD and web-based compressions.

Printing Processes

What is Your Color Space? RGB vs. CMYK
One of the leading causes of production delays is working through problems with digital artwork files. By setting up your artwork in the right color space, you will achieve the quality that you're looking for while saving time and hassle. Chroma key work is a function of the RGB Color Space

What is RGB Color?
Computer and TV monitors emit light in a color spectrum known as RGB color (short for Red/Green/Blue) named for the primary colors of light. Video cameras, scanners and digital photographers all capture images using this color spectrum - and computer monitors use the same. RGB color space allows for special effects techniques like chroma key compositing or "green-screening" (see this month's cartoon) where one image is layered over another by manipulating aspects of color and light - so, an actor in front of a green screen can be superimposed on a different background for visual effect.

"But why don't they match?" -- The CMYK Color Space
We're often asked this question -- why doesn't my printed wrapper match what I see on my monitor? It's simple - inked paper absorbs or reflects light, rather than emitting light, so the range of colors is not the same. Thus, when you see color on your computer monitor (RGB) and a then see a printed version, a variation is seen.

Graphic design for offset printing uses a color scheme known as CMYK (Cyan/Magenta/Yellow/Black "Key") or PMS so color matching between these two environments is often needed. In printing inks on paper, transparent pigments are used to filter out the RGB wavelengths in proper combinations to create the desired color. These filters are known as CMYK or four-color process printing.

Tips and Suggestions
Because offset printing, silkscreen printing and most digital color processes use CMYK as a reference, digital artwork that is created in RGB (like still images, screen captures, or digital photos) should first be converted to CMYK prior to printing. Color-matching, when needed, is much easier when working in CMYK color space.

Adobe's website has an excellent tutorial that discusses how to convert RGB to CMYK for use in a design. (RGB convert tutorial - click here).

For short run projects, our high-quality thermal disc printers use RGB color. Submit your artwork as a .bmp image with a resolution of 300 dpi.

Submit matching artwork for packaging elements in CMYK color with text and lines as vector graphics.

Offset printing (four color process) calls for CMYK with Pantone for spot color. This type of printing is best if photo images have a lot of detail and the colors are soft in tone. The end result is a smooth finish on the disc face.

Silkscreen printing is an excellent choice for solid and vibrant colors, but the end product is textured and photo images can sometimes have a coarse appearance. However, it is much easier to match colors between the disc face and packaging elements using silkscreen printing.
Whenever time allows, request a hard copy proof if you need to check for color matches. We offer this for all of our printing processes.

Our website (www.videolabs.net) includes templates for preparing your artwork for submission and helpful tips for graphic designers.