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Datavideo Corporation

7048 Elmer Ave
Whittier, CA 90602
United States
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How do you decide which video switcher to buy? (part 2)
Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009

 

How solid is your budget?
 
We’ve also spoken to quite a few customers who have budgets to spend now and are concerned that those budgets may not be available in the future.
Making premature HD purchases in reaction to potential budget cuts may not serve you well in the long run, especially when the money could be better spent elsewhere in the company. If you are in this position, discuss your concerns with the gatekeepers of your budget. Propose not spending this year’s budget in full, thereby saving the company money in the short term and delaying your HD purchases until the equipment costs have come down.
In overall cost considerations, take into account the amount of time it takes your team to master the HD workflow (a positive in learning new information and negative in taking more time to complete the project), as well as the marketing value of having HD capabilities (a major positive, as many prospective customers perceive HD as a high-end level of production).
 
THE CASE FOR BUYING SD NOW
 
SD is common and the cost/value ratio is high.
DVD’s that we make from our own productions must be SD because there is not (yet) an encoding system for making Blu-Ray DVD’s that most of us can afford to purchase. This means that today for low volume duplication, HD programs must be scaled down to SD. We hope this will change soon!
In web delivery, compression is often more significant. While HD can be displayed on the web, common aspect ratios of online video are 640x480 or lower to expedite download and facilitate smooth playback. Online video platform companies such as Vimeo, Brightcove, Blip and Youtube are only now starting to offer HD streaming to customers, typically as a pay for service. In-house corporate intranets face the same speed / data volume issues.
Many HD cameras also have SD shooting capabilities. If you already have an HD camera, you may use the SD settings in the camera to speed the production process. You can shoot in HD for the NLE edit situations.
 
The argument for SD: Cost
 
Standard definition video prices are becoming market driven rather than technology driven. Many SD cameras shoot at 4:3 or 16:9 (widescreen), such as the Canon XL-2 or the Panasonic DVX-100B, while offering high quality images very sufficient for webcast, SD broadcast, or DVD.
Hands down, SD production equipment is less expensive and will continue to be an even better value until HD production equipment, distribution and viewing solutions (such as Blu-Ray players) come down in price and enjoy wider adoption.
The Datavideo SE-900 switcher or MS-900 mobile studio is an affordable and very productive answer for those not quite ready for HD. It has eight SD inputs configurable to use any of the SD formats DV, Composite, Component, S video or SDI. It has multi view output, a multiple input chromakey and it works with Datavideo’s Character generators and intercom/ tally light combinations. The Mobile Studio version is compact and very portable.
 
How does Datavideo fit in all of this?
 
Datavideo makes SD and HD switchers and related hardware. Our product development and marketing philosophy takes advantage of the forward movement of technology and decreasing production costs. Each new product is packed with the maximum value we can give, knowing what chips and components are in the marketplace and what’s coming. Our definition of value is more quality, more reliability and more features than you would expect for the price.
We manufacture our own products. Product designs are the result of collaboration between our engineers, marketing sales people and video producers from different countries and different market segments. A church producer needs different things from the NASA engineer who tracks astronaut training sessions, school children need something else and so do corporate producers and university producers. Every Datavideo product is optimized for user needs with the best blend of technology and features at an affordable price.
 
 
Copyright Datavideo Corporation -17 Jan, 2009
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Douglas Fearing- Co-Founder / President

A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.

Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.

Lois Fearing- Co-Founder/Accounting, Human Resources

A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.

Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.

Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.

Ehren Tresner-VP of Technology and Innovation

Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.

Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.

Ben Voeck-Director of Commercial AV

With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.

By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.

Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.

Chris Matson-Senior VP of Sales

Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.

Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.