Promotional video - What resolution?

[artdog]

I have to produce a promotional video for a consumer electronics chain. They want to run it on a computer connected to several monitors rather than from DVD on televisions.

I am not sure what the best resolution to create this video should be.

Can anyone off a suggestion?

[FulciLives]

I would use a resolution of 640x480 and make it MPEG-4 aka DivX or XviD format.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[OmegaSupreme]

What is the resolution of the source?
What kind of monitors are we talking about? Computer? HD? Resolution?

[artdog]

I guess I wasn't very clear in my post.

The client does not want to run this on televisions. The location in their stores they want this to run in the computer department. They have a window based computer, which can be changed to better hardware if needed, connected to a hardware box that lets them show the output from the computer's graphics system on a bank of computer crt and lcd monitors. They can switch to any one of the monitors or all of them.

I am assuming I can have them set the windows system to any supported resolution so I am wondering what the best resolution to create this video in.

At this point they have stated they do not ever want to run this on a TV so the standards are not applicable here. Those I know. I have never created a video piece solely for use on computer systems so I am a bit lost as to what resolution to choose.

Any video player should be able to run what I give them be it mpeg2 or divx.

[FulciLives]

I still say that 640x480 is a good choice using DivX or XviD (with a very high bitrate of course). I would use 192kbps MP3 audio (CBR encoded).

Also you want to make sure that you deinterlace the footage. Normally that is a NO NO but considering this is ONLY for computer and LCD TV playback ... you really have to deinterlace as the video needs to be progressive.

However to make sure that I and others have a full picture ... can you go into more detail about the way the playback computer is being used i.e., the type of output being used along with more info on the distribution box being used.

I'm asking to make sure that you get correct information.

I should point out that I am basing my comments on the fact that it sounds as if the composite/S-video outputs of the graphics card is the type of output ... if true ... then no need to go above 640x480

However if everything is hooked up a different way, i.e., via DVI for instance ... and if that hardware distribution box keeps the quality ... then you might want to use a higher resolution.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[OmegaSupreme]

What is the source? Are you re-tasking some VHS footage? Shooting new DV or HDV Footage? Animation? Maybe a Flash or Powerpoint movie...

[artdog]

I will be creating all the material in After Effects. Some text and product shots.