Food for thought - talk amongst thyselves: I'm messing with the idea of not just writing up the installation of the rock sliders on my XJ, but video taping it, editing it, and posting it on youtube as well.

My thinking is to edit it down and make it like a mini video/tv segment, with the "higherground4x4.com" address on the bottom of the screen, and at the end of the video, run a screen that details the parts, the vendors, and directs people viewing the video to the site for a written, downloadable version with still pictures (maybe a PDF version that is downloadable - is that a word???- from the product review/installation pages).

On the tech write-up on the site, there would be a link back to youtube if someone who finds the write-up through search engines wants to see video of the install also (or if we want to get fancy, embed the video, but my thinking was to utilize new traffic from peopel searching youtube and drive them to our site).

Of course the video would be edited nicely, etc... and (if possible) begin and end with some type of standard "thing" that could be used at the beginning and end of each installation video. You know, basic safety stuff, information about HG4x4, tips for any good installation, etc...

So, my questions to you all are these:

a. Would you (personally) like to see video in addition to just still pictures when you are researching an installation or modification.

b. Do you think it would drive traffic to the site for the reviews and the video aspect.

c. Do you mind if I take a shot at testing this, then run it by Michael and Chris, then the group here prior to posting.

d. Finally - is this something any/all of you would be interested in doing each time we make a modification or installation that we want to post on the site?

Now my first install I'm testing this on is a set of rock sliders from AJ's Offroad Armor. Pretty straight forward, but something that should be easy to edit and explain, and I was planning on referencing tips and tricks (with the authors permission) that had been learned through other installs posted on the site (i.e. the silicon bead on Chris's install vs. the weather-stripping on Dana's, etc..)

So, feedback/enhancements/suggestions welcome. For me, I like to see the still pictures, but if i can see it actually being done, that helps me with perspective and technique a heck of a lot more. I'm kind of slow that way! LOL

Thanks for listening.

- Alan

Alan could you post up a picture of the sliders your going to use / install?

I think its a good idea... too bad for me as Ive done SO much to my XJ it would of made for some good footage :/

When Chris wakes up I'm sure he'll chime in. He's actually been wanting to do that as well.
So while yeah, I'm more a picture guy too, I think it would probably be cool and at least add content. I'm excited to see what you come up with.

alanzona wrote:Food for thought - talk amongst thyselves: I'm messing with the idea of not just writing up the installation of the rock sliders on my XJ, but video taping it, editing it, and posting it on youtube as well.

My thinking is to edit it down and make it like a mini video/tv segment, with the "higherground4x4.com" address on the bottom of the screen, and at the end of the video, run a screen that details the parts, the vendors, and directs people viewing the video to the site for a written, downloadable version with still pictures (maybe a PDF version that is downloadable - is that a word???- from the product review/installation pages).

On the tech write-up on the site, there would be a link back to youtube if someone who finds the write-up through search engines wants to see video of the install also (or if we want to get fancy, embed the video, but my thinking was to utilize new traffic from peopel searching youtube and drive them to our site).

Of course the video would be edited nicely, etc... and (if possible) begin and end with some type of standard "thing" that could be used at the beginning and end of each installation video. You know, basic safety stuff, information about HG4x4, tips for any good installation, etc...

So, my questions to you all are these:

a. Would you (personally) like to see video in addition to just still pictures when you are researching an installation or modification.

b. Do you think it would drive traffic to the site for the reviews and the video aspect.

c. Do you mind if I take a shot at testing this, then run it by Michael and Chris, then the group here prior to posting.

d. Finally - is this something any/all of you would be interested in doing each time we make a modification or installation that we want to post on the site?

Now my first install I'm testing this on is a set of rock sliders from AJ's Offroad Armor. Pretty straight forward, but something that should be easy to edit and explain, and I was planning on referencing tips and tricks (with the authors permission) that had been learned through other installs posted on the site (i.e. the silicon bead on Chris's install vs. the weather-stripping on Dana's, etc..)

So, feedback/enhancements/suggestions welcome. For me, I like to see the still pictures, but if i can see it actually being done, that helps me with perspective and technique a heck of a lot more. I'm kind of slow that way! LOL

Thanks for listening.

- Alan

hah thats funny, Ive been thinking about that for awhile now. I thought it would be cool if we put together several install videos, and posted them up here and on hg4x4.com

I didnt want to go for the shop look like they have on xtreme4x4 or that other tv show. I thought it would be cool if we based it more off a home mechanic style setting, maybe throw in a little cheezy humor simmilar to tool time as well

As far as hosting, we can host a high quality version on either here or hg4x4.com (probably hg4x4 since it has more free disk space) and then post some lower quality copies over on youtube, dailymotion and other video sites

What do you use to edit the videos with? So far Ive only used roxio my dvd and windows movie maker, they work okay but I know there are better things out there

2 of the trip vids we did
http://www.higherground4x4.com/movies/ajax-woodpecker.wmv

http://www.higherground4x4.com/movies/pyeatt_draw.wmv

Id love to help out filming and editing, I have a 3ccd mini dv camera we can use if you need it too

Paul - I got them from AJ's Off Road Armor. http://ajsoffroadarmor.com/index.html really happy with the construction, but the packaging sucked. They came in yesterday and were basically two hunks of steel duct taped together with a packing slip. One corner of a plate that mounts to the frame is bent up a little bit from shipping with little or no protection. On a side note - what is going to be the best way to flatten it out without weakening it? Mini-sledge and beat it into submission? I'm open for tips, o master of the building stuff...

Chris - we are tracking on the same page, brother. I'm not skilled enough to be a "garage guy" on the videos, but I can be a shade tree and that's the angle I had in mind... kind of funny, maybe show bloopers at the end, but keep it light, yet informative so folks like us can do it, understand it, and it actually helps in installation and helps in decision making.

With good filming, Moviemaker is more than able to do what I had in mind. I have access to a lot of Mac software for video editing and I've been itching for an excuse to pick up a little Mac somewhere... this might be a good excuse! Simple, clean, not too fancy, but not a scratchy skate video feel either. You know what I mean? Maybe five - 7 minutes total.

I'll leave where to post up to you 100%, but we need to get together and brain storm this a bit more. I'd love to have some help on this: in filming, editing, writing, planning... two heads are better than one, but I think we are both on the same page, here. Let's talk about it more on Sunday after church.

Yeah I would just beat it with a 4lb sledge (if its 3/16) if its 1/4 I might add a bit O heat & then smack it about.

As for me I have & will always do my own work on my own Vehicles.
Can do just about anything including electrical & motor rebuilding or tweaking (n2o knowledge too :D ) And some fab work too.
So if I can lend any of my services please let me know.

Awesome. Thanks buddy.