#Help on CD Interactive
3 messages in this thread
Rich:
It use to be in the industrial sector of this business that clients wanted
the highest quality, fastest turnaround and creative project. They werev
willing to pay for that. Today they want faster turnaround, equal quality,
average creative and they want it for the lowest possible cost.
So it turns out there are two main considerations in choosing a media.
First is what does the client need and want. The second is can you make
money providing that media.
So far as I can see CD-I does offer what many clients seem to want.
Interactivity (even though most don't require complex interactivity),
simple to use technology, inexpensive hardware and average creative. I am
not sure about fast turnaround, unless you buy the disc recording system
and whether money can be made producing for this format I just don't know.
As far as Photo CD, at least at this point, also fits into this category.
My experience in the progress of other media such as multi-image slide
programs and video has told me that applications are eveything. I agree
that the client will dictate those applications. We producers, however,
will provide solutions and demonstrate the proper media to be used. If we
cannot make enough money to stay in business we won't be offerring any
solutions.
Rich, the call to get into this media, at least for me, may come down to a
"gut decision". I have had to make many over the years and generally when I
feel it in the pit of my stomach the outcome has been good.
Right now I feel that excitement abouy CD-I and Photo CD. Or is that caused
by the four cups of coffee I had this morning?
Thanks for your input.
Harry Hallman
Harry:
Watch out for that coffee! It'll turn you into a bug-eyed hacker!!
Just one comment: >> (customers want) Interactivity (even though most don't
require complex interactivity), simple to use technology, inexpensive
hardware and average creative.<<
Note that these features are not constituents of any single *system*, they
are defined by the designer and the programmer. Just because Philips
called it CD-I, does not mean that CD-I has a lock on interactivity (in
fact, just the opposite) — or simplicity, or cost (this can engender long
discussions), or the creativity of the product. Philips, IBM, Apple et al.
want to sell you iron: YOU have to make it work!
All the best: Rich Bowers
Yes Sir! That's exactly waht I mean when I say the producer is going to
have a lot to say about which media is used. After all we are suppose to
have the ear of the client and we have to make money to stay in business.
We also haave to listen, listen aand listen and then provide solutions.
From a making money stanpoint. I remeber spending $160,000.00 for a
computer graphics system eight years ago. It was the best that could be
bought at the time. Within two years (just as we learned to use the system)
the MAC came out. Neddless to say the $160,000 was never re-captured. Now I
never invest in technology unless I know I can recapture the investment
within one year are shorter. In fcat I have been making these investments
based on jobs in house latley.
The Philips CD I production system seems to fit that criteria. For under
$20,000.00 you can get all you need to produce. Given the right customer
aapplication I can recoup that in one project.
Still I am carefull!
Harry