THE SONY BLU-RAY FORMAT IS NOW THE CONSUMER STANDARD FOR HIGH DEFINITION DVDs.
The format war between Blu-ray and HD DVD is over, and the Blu-ray format is the winner.  More and more Hollywood movies are now being released as Blu-ray disks.  At Mainstream, we are delivering corporate videos as Blu-ray high definition DVDs.

WHERE SHOULD I USE HIGH DEFINITION?
Any time the finished video is being displayed on large Plasma or LCD monitors, High Definition will look markedly better than standard video.  Most people think standard video looks “fuzzy” when played back on a High Def monitor.  High Definition Video that is projected on a large screen in a meeting environment or convention hall also looks amazing.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRODUCTION?
First, your project needs to be taped and edited in high definition.  That sounds simple enough, but unfortunately, the term “high definition” has come to mean different things to different people.  There are several “compressed” (or lower quality) formats that have the “HD” in their name but are not full High Definition.  These formats are highly compressed (which means they delete critical picture data) in order to conserve storage space.  At Mainstream we use the highly acclaimed Sony XDCam cameras, which yield spectacular results.

DOESN’T IT COST MORE TO USE MAINSTREAM'S HD SERVICES?
Our HD location rates are very close to the “highly compressed” competition.  And when you consider our post production efficiencies, your finished video may be less expensive at Mainstream.  In these challenging economic times, we see many of our customers trimming internal budgets, but maintaining or expanding their customer-facing media efforts.  That’s what most of our High Def projects are right now.  The question really is: Does the quality of your finished project reflect the brand image that you demand in the marketplace?

WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL I NEED FOR PLAYBACK?
Blu-ray HD DVD players can be found in any big box store.  Prices are under $400, but holiday season prices are rumored to be at the $250 price point and will include added features.  Any Sony PlayStation III also includes a Blu-ray player.

WILL ANY WIDE SCREEN MONITOR WORK?
Most plasma and LCD monitors sold today are full high definition, but there are some flat screen monitors that are not high def.  If you are renting a monitor, be sure to ask for High Definition.  The connection between the player and the monitor is critical.  Using an HDMI cable to connect the components ensures full high def playback.

In a crowded marketplace where everyone is maneuvering to improve their image and increase sales, High Definition is one way to separate your company from the crowd.  Are you ready to produce a project in High Def? Just Ask Mainstream.