What type of videos do you prefer?

[Anderton]

At the Frankfurt Messe, we added a new type of video to the roster: long-form videos, where "hosts" (at Frankfurt, it was Mats Nermark covering the guitar halls, and Dr. Walker covering synthesizers) would take you to different booths, interview people, and give their own expert commentary. In other words, it was a little more like a TV show, and less like the usual single-product videos. And while longer than standard videos, we could squeeze more products into the time that was available.

At Winter, we also went heavy on "celebrity" videos, where various celebrities talked about gear. Based on traffic, both types of videos have been quite popular, but we'd like your opinion.

Please vote in the following poll and let us know what type of video format you prefer. Your participation will help us as we prepare for shows in the future. Thanks!

[MikeRivers]

I rarely watch on-iine videos because they rarely give me any new information, and the quality (at least at my download speed and resolution) is pretty poor. If I got a DVD in the mail, I'd probably watch, or at least browse it.

Celebrity videos do me no good. What I'd find useful is a tour of a piece of gear that goes into further depth than what's on the product web page. If it has unique features, I'd like to see them demonstrated. Show me how the controls work. Show me how it's constructed. Show me what the screens look like when doing practical stuff. Interview the designer and let him tell me how he implemented special features and how important specifications that everyone will want to quote were measured and why they're important. Unfortunately it's rare at NAMM shows that the people with this level of knowledge will be at the booth, other than for the very small companies. But then they're the ones with the new ideas and deserve the recognition of a video.

[Anderton]

What I'd find useful is a tour of a piece of gear that goes into further depth than what's on the product web page. If it has unique features, I'd like to see them demonstrated. Show me how the controls work. Show me how it's constructed. Show me what the screens look like when doing practical stuff. Interview the designer and let him tell me how he implemented special features and how important specifications that everyone will want to quote were measured and why they're important.

You mean when you go to a NAMM show, you see actual working things instead of prototypes that were cobbled together the night before the show? Wow, I'm following behind you at the next show!

[MikeRivers]

You mean when you go to a NAMM show, you see actual working things instead of prototypes that were cobbled together the night before the show? Wow, I'm following behind you at the next show!
Come on along and I'll tell you what the original Mackie d8b was, and Alesis ADAT, and TASCAM DA-88. Exhibit pieces, for sure.

[Gilgators]

I've never been to NAMM, but I've been to a boat-load of trade shows. And as an exhibitor in many cases.

In my experience, most videos should be about 3 minutes max. After that, they lose effectiveness unless they're REALLY engaging. People have short attention spans at a trade show. There's a lot to see, touch, feel. And in most cases, they don't have enough time to do it all.

Some people would rather interact and talk with someone rather than being talked to.

Video has it's place, to be sure. Personally, I'd rather see a lot of quick-hitters than a full-length feature film.

Hope than helps.

[Armin]

It's nice to have an overview video - but my main interest is to see and hear the new stuff.

[wheat]

I cannot get your video player to work correctly on Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger or Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, neither in Safari nor in FireFox. FireFox 3 just came out, and it doesn't work their either.

I'm using the latest Flip4Mac WMV 2.2 plugin, if that makes any difference.

On the Mac, when I try to play one of your videos, I get about 45 seconds into the video and the video player locks up and displays and endless revolving circle. Every time. I can't watch any video past about 45 seconds to one minute.

I don't like having to find a Windows computer with Internet Explorer 6 or 7 to watch your videos.

I think you need to switch to a different brand of video player that provides proper cross-platform support for Mac systems.

[sryk]

I just voted celebrity videos. And what about you all guys???

[D Carroll]

I like single product.

[stevenchenster]

Longer videos with a host, commentary, and multiple products

[Merriadok]

i'd definitely have a look of a video i would get.

[directoryxd]

Longer videos...with good humor

[dr5euss]

Probably not helpful, but I like and appeciate all types :)

[peter250]

I like Single-product and long-form videos