I have an idea ... mutimedia 'how to do model railroading' over the internet

[jfugate]

So here's an idea. How about a web site that has short 5-10 minute streaming video clips demoing various model railroading how-to techniques? A grand central station of model railroading how-to video clips on any and every topic.

To make such a venture work commercially, it could have a few free samples, but would likely need to typically charge to view a clip, like maybe 2 bucks per clip? Would you pay $2 to learn how to install DCC headlights, for example? Or how to lay flex track with caulk? Or how to get started operating your layout with car cards? Or any number of other how to topics?

The how-to topics would need to be fairly narrow in scope to fit into a 5-10 minute demo. For example, "how to do model railroad scenery" is too broad, but maybe, "how to do model roads using stryrene" is narrow enough to fit in a 5-10 minute video clip.

What do you think?

[Anonymous]

Don't personally care much for the idea, but I've got a fair amount of experience and many model railroading videos on hand too.

In a recent subscription MR there was a separate cover promoting one of their specialty books - I forget the name - that is coming out in December. With it will be a DVD on beginning model railroading, maybe the contents of the book? ( I threw out the cover ad). This sounds like a great idea for under $10.00. You can stop the DVD at any point and play it over as many times as you want. And the price is right!

Bob Boudreau

[jfugate]

Bob:

I'm thinking this idea might appeal most to the younger generation and not so much to those of us (like you and me) who have been in the hobby for a while.

I think it is more encumbant on us more experienced ones in the hobby (old-timers?) to be the "producers" of this material, rather than really being consumers. Passing on the knowledge in the language the younger generation understands, as it were.

[dano99a]

I know I would be into something like that, If I had a video to look at on how to install a decoder in a proto SW9 that would have been great and would have made the process A LOT shorter.

Let me know I could lend a hand in getting it produced as well as editing teh video down.

[Anonymous]

I think that might be a good idea.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jfugate

Bob:

I'm thinking this idea might appeal most to the younger generation and not so much to those of us (like you and me) who have been in the hobby for a while.

I think it is more encumbant on us more experienced ones in the hobby (old-timers?) to be the "producers" of this material, rather than really being consumers. Passing on the knowledge in the language the younger generation understands, as it were.

Joe:

Don't know if other readers of this forum know of the video series being produced of your layout, so you are already a "producer" of the info!. I was at a friend's place just last week with members of our local club visiting his layout. After the layout tour, we adjourned to his living room where he played one of your DVDs - it was especially interesting to see you demonstrate your method of operating turnouts with a door latch!

This was the point of my previous post, that such instructions on DVDs would probably be more beneficial that through online videos. But I guess it would be a crap shoot in either manner. [:p]

Bob Boudreau

[CNJ831]

I'd tend to doubt its practicality. As Bob B. suggests, a DVD might serve the concept better. Few modelers can fully grasp a new method/concept in a single brief viewing and how many times will you be willing to repeatedly view a clip to get things clear in your mind at $2 a pop? Personally, having the reference right next to me in the layout room in hardcopy form while I work has alway proven superior to running back and forth to look something up.

CNJ831

[railman]

I'm on the fence on the DVD, but I guess another question would be, how many of us have a DVD player in the train room- I don't. Mine is enshrined in a place of honor in the living room. If you were watching it, (like a cooking show) I'd think you'd have to have the model (or cake mix) in front of you, step for step.

I guess I wouldn't mind a video shot of a DCC installation into a Athearn or something. Longer than 10 minutes but worth it.

[jfugate]

The one thing paper has at the moment is portability, that's true.

But beyond that, multimedia is much more in line with how people learn ... by seeing it done while it's being explained. Ideally, a hardcopy summary with photos of key steps would also be available as part of the "package" to meet the "study it offline" need -- which can also be a key part of learning.

And the $2 ought to open up that clip to you indefinitely, so you can watch it over and over if necessary, come back to it in 6 months for a refresher, or whatever. I'm thinking of it more like a video magazine and the delivery medium is the internet. If you pay for it, you "own" the viewing rights indefinitely, just as if you bought a DVD.

Great discussion, guys!

[jfugate]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FundyNorthern
... it was especially interesting to see you demonstrate your method of operating turnouts with a door latch!

This was the point of my previous post, that such instructions on DVDs would probably be more beneficial that through online videos.

Bob Boudreau

Bob:

True, DVDs are a wonderful medium, with random access to chapters and the ability to add computer files to the disk.

BTW, congratulations on making the current cover of Scale Rails with your Fundy Northern swamp scene. I've always found that scene with the rails in the water to be very cleverly done. Certainly not one of those scenes you see done a hundred different ways on other people's layouts!

[darth9x9]

Hey Joe,

The problem with streaming video is that it can easily be captured and it can be distributed for free. It's hard to make a buck that way.

[jfugate]

True ... but DVD burners are getting ever more available these days with the price of a PC DVD burner now well under $100.

If someone wants to steal material, they will. I have no doubt there are pirated copies of the Siskiyou Line video volume 1 already floating around. Even if it's someone saying, "I'm your buddy, here let me burn you a copy ...", they're out there.

Streaming can have some protection put on it to make the file harder to get at. But hackers will still figure out a way ... file protection only keeps the honest people honest, as they say.

[darth9x9]

Yeah, as my grandfather always told me, locks only keep the honest people out.

BC

[jfugate]

Yeah, MyMemoirs Video considered putting copy protection on their DVDs, but then there are products out there like XCopy that let you copy DVDs even if they are copy protected, so why not just price the DVDs at a reasonable price ($29.95 for 80 minutes of hands-on demo material).

With many model RR DVDs selling for this price or more ($45 for a Keller Layout tour DVD) then pirating should be less of an issue. If the material is any good, word will get around that it's worth the money, and that should be sufficient.

Plus if you can pay a couple of bucks and get to immediately watch a streaming video demo that shows you how to do what you need to know, that certainly ought to be worthwhile.