Posted: 7/1/2008 12:10 PM
Post subject: TASVideos Subscription
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Nach
Emulator Coder
Joined: 3/9/2004
Posts: 4588
Location: In his lab studying psychology to find new ways to torture TASers and forumers
So I was thinking, would it be feasible to start a subscription service? Would anyone be interested? Basically each month, you'll receive a DVD in the mail with all the videos that came out that month, and perhaps the latest version of MPlayer and FFDShow or something for Windows users. Each DVD would have the TASVideos logo on it and the month/year. Money can be broken down into 3 groups, 1/3 supports the service itself and whoever is running it, 1/3 goes to Bisqwit for the site, and the other 1/3 is divided among those who had video(s) on the DVD that month. People still on dial-up would probably like a subscription service, and those with small hard drives, or don't want to be bothered downloading each new video may be interested. It'd also be a good way to fund the site, if people aren't too stingy. If you're interested, what price do you think is fair to all? I was thinking maybe $36/year, although if international shipping applies, a different price may be in order, or perhaps we'd only cover certain countries. Thoughts?
Warning: Opinions expressed by Nach or others in this post do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or position of Nach himself on the matter(s) being discussed therein.
Posted: 7/1/2008 1:58 PM
Post subject: Re: TASVideos Subscription
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Bisqwit
Editor, Active player (296)
Joined: 3/8/2004
Posts: 7469
Location: Arzareth
I've also considered something similar. That is, mailing DVDs to people for a nominal fee. Especially for those who have limited bandwidth. As for making money -- I don't know what to expect. My network connection is currently sponsored by my employer, but if it were not, the profits I get from Google's AdSense would hardly cover even 20% of it. And I cannot reasonably expect such mailing service would yield much better.
Posted: 7/1/2008 2:19 PM
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Nach
Emulator Coder
Joined: 3/9/2004
Posts: 4588
Location: In his lab studying psychology to find new ways to torture TASers and forumers
Depending how many people were interested, maybe it could help. I don't know what people would go for, $3 a month? $5 a month? Canonical (Ubuntu) seems to ship a CD anywhere for an average of $1.2, add on the DVDs themselves, as well as the packaging is probably another dollar or so. If the subscription was $5 a month, you'd basically get $3 profit a month per subscriber. If it's 50 people who subscribe, you should have your hosting fees and hardware covered right there.
Warning: Opinions expressed by Nach or others in this post do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or position of Nach himself on the matter(s) being discussed therein.
Posted: 7/1/2008 5:09 PM
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ZeXr0
Joined: 8/27/2006
Posts: 883
It would be nice if it was playable on a DVD player and it would be nice if it could include some extra. Like High quality video and maybe a WIP section. If the videos were of higher quality and if I could play it in a DVD player, I would subscribe.
Posted: 7/1/2008 6:35 PM
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alden
Player (120)
Joined: 2/11/2007
Posts: 1522
Yes, they could be higher quality, perhaps provide optional input display (I always miss that on the AVI's) -- commentary? subtitles? It would definitely do better if it provided something not available free on the site. Also, don't pay the TASers, they already get all the glory ;) I would pay up to $50 a year personally, and would be more likely to do that than, say, just donate $20. I think I would still pay $50 a year even if it were for as few as 1 every 3 months.
I make a comic with no image files and you should read it. While there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a criminal element I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free. -Eugene Debs
Posted: 7/1/2008 6:44 PM
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ZeXr0
Joined: 8/27/2006
Posts: 883
Along with Subscription (which would cover only the next movies) you could make Theme based DVD that you could sell like 10$ each. Which would be a compilation of Action based movies, RPG movies, etc... or NES movies, SNES movies. I don't know how much job it could be, but maybe people could choose the run they want to see on a DVD and just buy it. That way, it would be custom DVD. I would certainly like to buy a DVD with the 100% run of Super Metroid (with the Input)
Posted: 7/1/2008 8:07 PM
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Nach
Emulator Coder
Joined: 3/9/2004
Posts: 4588
Location: In his lab studying psychology to find new ways to torture TASers and forumers
If these were to work on DVD players (yuck), we wouldn't be able to pack them with nearly as many videos. Although if people were willing to buy just a single video on a video DVD, that would definitely help the site out. I personally though hate waste, and would like each DVD packed with as much video as possible. What type of commentary or subtitles is wanted exactly? There's also no reason why something like that couldn't be available on the site.
Warning: Opinions expressed by Nach or others in this post do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or position of Nach himself on the matter(s) being discussed therein.
Posted: 7/1/2008 8:57 PM
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alden
Player (120)
Joined: 2/11/2007
Posts: 1522
True, if something existed there's no reason not to put it on the site as well. I just thought more people would be willing to part with their hard earned cash if they thought they were going to get some benefit.
I make a comic with no image files and you should read it. While there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a criminal element I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free. -Eugene Debs
Posted: 7/1/2008 11:01 PM
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mmbossman
Experienced player (822)
Joined: 11/18/2006
Posts: 2426
Location: Back where I belong
GBx TAS of 2008
I enjoy the idea, and think it would be interesting to think about some more. However I would suggest making it 1 DVD for every 2 months. 6 DVDs a year would be easier to deal with, and if there's a month with only a few movies published, the next month would probably make up for it. But keep talking guys, I'd be interested.
Living Well Is The Best Revenge My Personal Page
Posted: 7/1/2008 11:31 PM
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Mitjitsu
He/Him
Banned User, Experienced player (532)
Joined: 4/24/2006
Posts: 2997
TAS of 2007 N64 TAS of 2007
I think SDA tried to do this some time ago and found in the long term that is wasn't profitable.
Posted: 7/1/2008 11:31 PM
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ZeXr0
Joined: 8/27/2006
Posts: 883
Every two months would be nice. For the DVD part, it could be done on the side. The best that could be done, is to setup an ecommerce section to this site, selling the DVD. It would be easier for those who don't want to pay a montly fee or a one shot deal.