Automatic downsizing

Quote from a Curator mail:
for future uploads, please only upload the highest-res version. (we will be implementing automatic conversion soon.)

So I guess it's officially coming "soon". :)

While that is nice, I've got a few question. I've seen this handled badly on other sites and I'd love to see this site make a difference (i.e. be better) in these things as well.

So...
1) What format gets auto-converted to what?
2) What about pricing of downsized clips?
3) How will current multi-format uploads be handled?
4) What about 16:9 format to 4:3 format - I have quite a few clips with both formats, both rendered from the same original material. I believe doing this manually will result in much better clips that doing that automated.
5) Is there and opt-out option, if we don't like the answers? If so, is it per clip or per portfolio/submitter?

I'll leave it at that for the moment - but I've got a lot more questions, should these be answered...

Hey Varius, great points...
Here's where things are at now:

1) tbd... we're working on maximizing quality right now
2) pricing will be done using an algorithm, based on the price set for the uploaded clip (eg the max resolution one)
3) in most cases, we will use the current downres'd versions that have been uploaded, and folding them into the new system (unless the artist requests otherwise).
4) for automatic downconversion, lower resolution clips will maintain the aspect ratio of the parent... for uploaded versions, we will most likely allow for a mixture of 4:3 / 16:9
5) you will be able to opt-out of the conversions (or at least of the automatic pricing of them)... probably per clip, with an option for the entire portfolio.

Feel free to ask away if you have other questions!

Hmm...

There's so many things to consider. ;-/

Frame rates, aspect ratio, pixel aspect ratio, interlaced vs. progressive...

So... Would you convert a HD1080i60 clip to HD720p30? Other places do that, and you don't even get to know if the resulting clip is interlaced or progressive. I really hope you're going to handle that better. :)

Another thing I've seen is downsizing to web resolutions - not sure I'd want that for my clips.

I think I wouldn't like downsizing to web sized clips either...

I'm thinking that there are many potential buyers who may want to use a clip on their website but have no knowledge of how to downsize a larger clip. They may just want to buy a web sized clip and upload it as is to their site. I definately want to offer multiple sizes of clips and am looking forward to that being a feature at Pond5. Maybe that could be a user preference?

Yep - we will be offering lower resolution clips for web / multimedia use, but you'll be able to opt out of this if you'd rather not have your clips downsized.



A 1080i to 720p conversion will get de-interlaced - there's not much of a choice here, unfortunately.

I agree that different sizes should be made available. The thing I also believe is that a person or company that needs DV720 size and another that needs 1080i both have real needs and both clips are equal value to the different companies. I feel that the price difference between downsized clip should be but only a minimal amount. A HD 1080 to 720 of any size should not be reduced in price but taking a HD to a DV should only be minimal, maybe something like going from $49 to $39 maximum. I could be persuaded to loosen up once multiple sales start but giving the farm away might not be the right answer.

Well this has not come up for a while. I hope that the idea of selling "down sized" clips for less money is dead. Heck Pond5 clips are already a bargin basement value and prices. From other places, I see that most buyers buy lower size and quality clips and still pay way more. If it is a problem of some users not knowing how to downsize clips then offering downsized clips at the same price is more what I believe is a great service. Let's keep the prices stable until some time after the grand opening and see what happens. Lowering prices before 1.0 is a desperate act that may not be needed. Let the sellers set the price and quality they upload at the beginning. So Admin ... what are the plans?
.
Oh by the way this is the best sales month I've had here at P5 ... Thanks guys and gals ;)

I am wondering if and when P5 is planning to implement the automatic downsizing

thanks,
hans

Yes we will be doing automatic downsizing, in relatively short order. But as I indicated elsewhere, we've learned our lesson when it comes to putting dates on things, so all I can say is - soon. :)