subject: Why Adhering To High Definition Footage Is Essential? [print this page] Audience is now used to HD video, so if a producer wants them to respond well to their production, it is essential that they use high quality footage. Right-managed footage usually has better quality than royalty-free footage though the latter provide the user more freedom to use the footage.
With the advancement in technology and the television screens getting larger, high definition video has become a norm. When you have adhered to high quality standards throughout the production process, there is little reason why would you compromise on it when using a couple of videos procured from a video library. Your audience wont appreciate it and you know that well.
HD footage is instantly better than standard DEFINITION footage and even someone who is not very sure of the technical meanings will clearly be able to tell the difference between the two kinds of pictures. HD footage 1920 x1080 (Divya: see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_television for background info ) has crisp appearance, distinct edges and bold colours which are more visually appealing compared to the standard definition 720 x 576 (PAL) or 720 x 480 (NTSC) (Divya, see http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Definition_Television) format. The video is as clear as if you are viewing it in real life. Quality of the footage becomes even more important when the footage has to be shown in slow motion like in sports or natural scenery.
A few years before, HD footage was hard to find and expensive, which kept producers and other users from using it regularly. However, the prices of the equipment used to shoot in high definition have come down steadily, making the footage widely available. Anyone who does not want to put in money in the equipment yet wishes to use HD footage, can visit a reputed video library, browse through the available footage and find one which suits their requirements.
If your audience is likely to use larger screens for watching your production, it is imperative that you use HD footage. Differences between standard and HD videos are sometimes not very noticeable on small screens, but as the screen becomes larger, the difference becomes clear. Standard definition videos will seem to be lacking quality when shown on larger screen.
If you are making something for commercial use, HD videos will always get better result. In fact, viewers today expect every video to be HD and any video that lacks the standards wont find many takers. If you stick to quality, you will also help your own reputation.
There are two ways you can get stock footage royalty free and right managed footage. When you seek license for a royalty free HD footage, you pay a price to use the footage as often and in as many productions as you like with some conditions. You may need to discuss things with the cameraperson to arrive on the terms for royalty free use of the footage.
Rights managed footage, on the other hand, is limited to intended use. Though it is much more expensive than royal free footage, you are likely to get better footage, the reason being that the camerapersons are not very sure of getting the right price that way. They also feel that once broadcast on the media, the value of their product will suffer. Hence, they will limit the use of the footage.
In fact, royal free or right managed footage is all about your individual choice. For instance, a corporate team that wants to produce the video for in-house audience may opt for royalty free video, while a producer who desires to produce an award-winning documentary will settle for right managed footage.
