General Questions

1. Why should I use a video to promote my business?

   Simply put, you need to use VideoAFX to promote your business. It’s been fully researched by multiple marketing firms and the conclusion that continues to surface is “On Demand Video.” With this marketing medium, you not only have the ability to promote yourself 24/7, but you also have the ability to cut marketing costs, go green, tell your entire story, grab your customers attention, and move your company into the next phase of online video advertising.

2. How do you explain the range in production prices for each Video?

   We provide you with various production options, such as: Integrating photographs, music, additional client testimonials, graphics, and additional company spokespeople. Your VideoAFX sales director will go over all the options with you in order to select the production options best suited for your business.

3. Why use a website video to greet website visitors?

   The average website visitor takes less than 60 seconds to decide whether to continue browsing your site. Research shows that a video holds their attention much longer and keeps them more involved with your site.

4. Do you produce for TV too, or just online video?

   We produce for television, feature films/documentaries, internal communications and traditional marketing.

5. What kind of business is a good match for VideoAFX?

   Any business where the owners and management are involved with the customers, and have pride in the services they provide.

6. Why should I pay to produce a video for my website when plain text is cheap?

   Plain text doesn’t communicate the way video does.

7. Will my website need more bandwidth if I add a video?

   Not necessarily. No extra bandwidth will be needed if you use our video players, because we include the first 6 months of hosting/streaming your video for free. At the end of the term, you can either choose to stay with us or host the video on your website, which typically would require more bandwidth. It all depends on the amount of traffic to your website and your current hosting capabilities.

8. How else can I use my Video, other than having it live on my website?

   You can show a DVD of your video in your business, at trade shows, or distribute it directly to prospects. You can also upload it to YouTube or Facebook, as well as many other social networking websites.

9. Do people visiting my site have fast enough internet connections for video?

   Probably. Broadband internet access is more and more prevalent these days. Even if the video viewer has a slow internet connection, VideoAFX & many other video hosting networks now use bandwidth detection. This means that the video is delivered in a quality (bit rate/data transfer) that the viewer's internet connection can process with limited playback issues.

10. Does VideoAFX work with or without a script?

    We work with scripts. However, sometimes its to your benefit to go unscripted or on the fly in front of the camera.

11. What is the first step?

    Upon a down payment and a signed agreement, we will provide you with everything you need to get started.

12. Can changes be made to my Video in the future?

    Yes, of course this will be considered an additional production, but because you already have the footage in the can, it will be much cheaper.

13. Who stars in the video?

    You, the business owner! However, if you do not feel the need to get in front of the video camera, VideoAFX has a deep roster of actors and actresses to choose from to promotoe your product, service, or message perfectly.

14. Why are website videos 2-3 minutes?

    2-3 minutes is an appropriate amount of time to cover the ins and outs of your business. The attention span of the typical internet user tends to be limited.

15. What if I already have existing video?

    We can review it with you and determine how best to use it. Whether we choose to use the video you already have, depends on the format and quality it was originally filmed with and how the video was actually edited in post.

16. Why do some businesses choose Studio versus Location productions?

    Studio productions are ideal for companies where the focus is on the owners, managers or partners, such as lawyers, accountants, realtors, contractors, etc. Location productions are ideal for companies that will benefit from strong visual support for what is being said, such as facilities and products.

17. What is the difference between VideoAFX and a Virtual Tour?

    VideoAFX uses HD camera’s, captured to a tape and uploaded to a computer, which then receives a healthy dose of editing from the most powerful video editing software currently on the market. Our platforms, both Windows and Macintosh enabled, allow us to perform and lead the way through this ever changing industry. VideoAFX is different in many ways from a Virtual Tour because we add perspective, interactivity, and most importantly, Video.

    How does a Virtual Tour develop? Still imagery is used to capture the essence of the subject and “stitching” is used to create the ability of a panoramic view. There’s really nothing wrong with panoramic views, pan and zoom movements, and the QuickTime software the majority of these illustrations live on. However, the ability to modify and customize these “Virtual Tours" is limited to the software that feeds on still imagery. Currently, many various software providers are striving to take the Virtual Tour to the next level and by all means, many of them are successfully accomplishing this task.

18. What is streaming video?

    Streaming video is a term that has been widely accepted throughout the internet, but what exactly does it mean? In order to understand this concept, a quick look at the history of computers, networks, and servers is needed. In the mid 1990’s, as personal computers began to increase in CPU power, the internet began to commercialize. With the advent of standard OS’s (Operating Systems) and the ability to deliver the streaming media through bus bandwidth, the personal computer brought to life a medium of advertising never before thought possible.

    On demand or streaming video, allows a request to initiate an immediate response from a more powerful application, commonly referred to as a dedicated server. Condensed video, usually buffered as a flash video file is then “streamed” from the server to the user’s personal computer. During this phase, important applications allow the video to be seen immediately, on demand, before the video fully downloads. And while the video is being “pushed” from the server to your computer, you are able to watch it, typically quicker than your personal computer can receive the full FLV file.

19. What is the average length of a Video?

    The average length of your video production depends upon which product you select. Next to each of our products, you can find the average length of the video production.

20. What websites do you distribute to?

    This is a very good question. In order to give this FAQ an answer, please see the section devoted to video distribution. It may take a while for you to become familiar with the value being offered, but in due time, you will say, “I Love VideoAFX!”

21. If I shoot today, how long will it be until I get my Video?

    We “shoot” for a five business day turn around. As long as we get your payment and there are no revisions to be made during the approval process, we will meet this target.

22. Where are we located?

    We are located off of Greenbrier Parkway in Chesapeake, Virginia. Please view our Contact page for more information.

23. Who owns the video?

    VideoAFX has the right to display our video products, content, and work at our discretion. You, the customer have license rights to your video for the life of the video product.

24. Can I leave a testimonial?

    You can leave a testimonial. If you have something nice to say, by all means, please submit your comment by using the following form located here (Customer Feedback Form).

25. What if I have more questions?

    Give us a call at 757-512-5055, we’re happy to talk to you. You can also submit your comments/questions by clicking here.

Ordering & Billing

1. How much do these online video products cost?

   Between $399.00 - $8,000.00 and every number in between and over. No two customers’ needs are the same, so we certainly won’t treat you like you came out of a “can”. Delivering your needs are the most important part of our success.

2. What do I need to do to order?

   First, you should select one of our products. After you determine a budget and select a product, VideoAFX will work with you to write a script and schedule the video production.

3. Now that I've purchased a video, what is the process?

   From pre-production, to production, and finally to post production, there are many steps involved in the delivery of your video product. Of course, it depends on which product you have purchased, but in general, the process can be viewed by clicking here.

4. How do you accept payment?

   We accept all major credit cards, cash, personal checks, and money orders. In order to schedule your video shoot, we need half of the payment up front and the other half of the payment is due upon delivery.

5. When is payment due?

   50% of the project is due up front and 50% is due upon delivery.

6. What is your cancellation policy?

   Please refer to your VideoAFX contract.

7. What is your refund policy?

   Please refer to your VideoAFX contract.

8. Do you have payment terms?

   Yes. One-half upon scheduling the shoot. One-half upon delivery of the finished video. All payments are C.O.D.

Distribution

1. So once we’re finished with the Video(s), will you put it on my website for me?

   If you need us to, for a small fee. In many cases, we empower our clients to do it themselves. However, if you want to "spruce" up your website by adding the video(s), we can make suggestions, implement/embed the video(s) on your website and make sure the video player(s) is the correct width, because maintaining the quality of your video is very important.

2. How do I place my video on my website?

   There are two ways this can be accomplished. Your video can be added to your website as a link or you can upload the file to a folder within your website and “stream” the video directly from your server through various flash applications.

   How to add your video as a link:

   Once your video is finished, we deliver a link for your approval. This link can also be used to market on the internet and will be available for the life of your video. When adding the link to your website, unless you have a built in text editor, you will have to use html. Use similar code to this to display a link on your website:
   
   <a href="http://www.videoafx.com/yourvideofile.wmv"> View My Video </a>
   
   “View My Video” will become the link to your video. When clicked, your video will begin streaming from our servers to the default Windows Media software installed on your PC. You can also keep it simple and add the entire link http://www.videoafx.com/yourvideolink.wmv.

   Playing your video on your website:

   There are a few tricks to make this happen quickly. You can upload your video file to YouTube and then simply “embed” the code they give you onto your website. Other ways are more complicated and intricate and should be discussed with your web developer.

3. Can or do you host our video(s)?

   Yes. We include 6 months of free hosting with each video product. Once the six months is up, you can choose to continue with us by paying for hosting/streaming on an annual term.

4. Is my video "Cell Phone Active?"

   Yes and no. We deliver your video file as a Windows Media Video (.wmv). In the wmv file format, your video will typically not be able to play on your cell phone. However, depending on the package you ordered, we may also deliver your video in two other file formats to include use on a cell phone or pda device. You must have a newer cell phone (or the video software required to play a video on your cell phone) and a “writable,” removable memory card with at least 50 mega bites of storage.

5. Where should I market my video?

   Video is extremely engaging and emotionally powerful. What industry is your business in? It all boils down to becoming highly visible on the internet for whatever niches your consumers are searching. Feel free to browse through our distribution section and try to relate our distribution packages to the relevant aspects of your business.

6. Is there a link to my video that I can email and market online?

   Yes. When we email you with the final approval link, you can use this link to send to friends, family members, business associates, and any online distribution points you wish to syndicate your new video link to. Keep in mind to check our video packages for the “request limits” your video link is allowed to have before it becomes invalid. We base the life of the video link over the impressions the video receives. In most cases, by the time you have reached your impression limit, your business will have evolved and you will likely be in need of an updated video. Allowed impressions range from 10,000 to 30,000 and are viewable within the details section of our Video Packages.

7. How do I get my video on a CD or DVD?

   To put your video on CD, you must have a writeable CD-R disc. A CD-R disk will allow you to copy your wmv formatted video and play it on any computer with a CD drive. Unfortunately, the CD-R disk can not display your video through a DVD player.
   
   To put your video on a DVD, you should have a writeable DVD-R disk, software to convert your wmv formatted video, and the ability to burn the finalized DVD conversion to the DVD-R disk. DVD-R’s are usually more expensive than CD-R’s.