While we get Pipopak's point, to follow it to its logical conclusion then MRH, being done as a professional publication, is also a waste of resources.

YouTube trains on the carpet videos and typical hack websites should be good enough, right?

MRH's success shows this isn't true - people appreciate well-vetted, cleanly edited content with a deliberate focus brought about through effort to make it all hang together well.

What happens if you're a pro is you develop methods for saving time and still getting a quality product. We're not producing the next big Hollywood production here, so we're not going to spend oodles of person years doing a single video - at $5 (or less) a pop, we just can't afford to do so.

That said, good focused content doesn't happen by accident. You need to develop a good outline, provide tight direction and coaching of the "talent" (the modeler on stage) and execute using well-considered camera angles and graphics to get the point across as clearly as possible.

We're not wasting weeks doing meaningless eye candy with this stuff. We're pretty lean and mean already - and in order to keep from losing our shirts, we must remain so.

That all said, we're talking professional quality stuff - not over-engineered, but clean, crisp, clear video that gets in close so you can see the action happening as if you're there. Done right, good video is as much about shooting it right up front, not fixing it in post-production.

Joe,

Just wondering will this replace the bonus content for the MRH E-Zine intself?  That is, no more videos that go along with the articles done for MRH?  Or would such bonus features now be shown in this new venue? 

Would that also mean then, the bonus content have to be done by this professional crew you are employing? 

Hope you are enjoying Atlanta!

Ken L.

Joe: I'm afraid you misunderstood me. I am not against quality and I am very happy with MRH. I am not against "eye candy" if it fits well within the context, just don't like or want it when it is slapped in place because "it just looks nice". THAT I hate. If I am watching a construction video I don't want to be distracted from the main point. And I never said anything about carpet videos or hack sites. Jose,

Ken, this does not change how we do the magazine.

We still want authors to produce video content to go with their articles. We still will put video content we produce in the magazine.

But in almost all cases, we edit down video destined for the magazine. You will still be able to download DVD and HD versions of the magazine video in the bonus extras area on the website.

What's new is TrainMasters may have a full length uncut version of the video available, or if the topic merits it we may do something extra just for TrainMasters-TV.

The moment you announce your early adopter program, I'll click the PayPal button.

   Yeah, I feel the same way. I'm more interested in the content than the packaging. I'd rather watch a modeler who knows what he's doing even if he's not a production pro than a guy who's talent is looking good on camera. Something like Lisa Gade's Mobile Tech Reviews videos is a perfect way to pass on the important information without a lot of production costs. ..DaveBranum

What I don't want:
Relentless music
Eternal introductions
Swoosh dissolves
Cute animated trains pulling the captions across the screen.

What I need:
Closed captions or subtitles
Well lighted and focused camerawork.

With that, I'm in.
pqe

on Tuesday night when my layout was taped for an upcoming segment. As someone (one of only a few at this point from what I can tell) who's been in front of the camera for this venture I can't see how it can be done without being professionally produced and edited. Believe me, you don't want to hear everything I said - it would be too boring!! I found the questions to be insightful and at a level that would appeal to a modeler with a modicum of experience in the hobby. There's isn't any "What do you get out of the hobby????" type questions.

I'm thrilled a professional editor will be putting this thing together -The raw footage I saw Tuesday night in the little viewfinder screen was amazing. Like model building, or still photography video is a skill that requires a certain amount of talent and knowledge. Any idiot can "point and shoot" a camera - video or otherwise. But to create dynamic, interesting video content is a practiced discipline. 

Marty

I absolutely agree with Pelsea's "Needs" and "Don't Wants".

If that's the product, then I'm an early annual in.

Pickle question:  riveted or welded?  (Seriously, that intro was the best laugh I've had all week.  Thanks).

Oh Eric, I don't know, but I like to get down to eye level and get those views in person, so I think they are fine in video. Railfan view!