DVD Demystified

DVD in Business and Education
■ Familiar development tools. There is no need to switch from a
programming language or multimedia authoring package already in
use. And most will support the improved audio/video capabilities of
DVD in future versions.
■ Memory. Unlike DVD players, computers can store information such as
preferences, scores, updates, and annotations.
■ Interface. Computers allow keyboard entry and point-and-click graphic
interface.
■ Connectivity. Computers can be connected to networks, the Internet,
hard-disk drives, and so on.
Additional advantages and applications of DVD-ROM are covered in
Chapter 11.
Sales and Marketing
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DVD-Video can be an excellent sales and presentation tool. Imagine a complete
sales presentation system contained in a portable DVD-Video player.
For example, home sales presentations could be enhanced greatly by professional
video supplements provided on DVD. The presenter simply would
plug a portable player into the customer’s TV (or put a disc in the customer’s
player). Unlike videotape, which must be watched straight through,
a DVD can contain different segments for different scenarios, answers to
common questions, and so on. The need to train sales and marketing representatives
up front can be reduced by having them rely on carefully prepared
presentations that can be called up as needed.
Advertising representatives can make presentations to clients using a
portable DVD player rather than lugging around a computer and a videotape
deck. Hundreds of 30-second ad spots, along with DVD-Video based
presentation slideshows, can be put on a single disc. If the client already has
a DVD player, the rep needs nothing more than a disc and some breath
mints. Alternatively, the DVD-Video disc can be integrated with a laptop
computer. A custom PowerPoint presentation can include ad spots that play
instantly in full-screen mode from the disc.
A point-of-information station or a trade show video presentation is
vastly improved with DVD. The disc can be set to loop forever—customers
will not be lost because of a black screen after the tape runs out or while it
rewinds. If someone is working the exhibit, he or she can respond to customer
questions by quickly jumping to appropriate sections of the disc.