‘create’
Do you want a format explanation, have a question on how Video-Fu works (see FAQ below) or want to jump straight to the video encoding formats and samples section. Already understand and just need an encoding tool?

[ section index ] [ content faq ] [ formats ] [ tools ] [ upload ] [upload]

If you want to share tips on writing, creating or preparing video for the mobile market, please feel free to use our forums. We'll try to cover the basics here, and continually look to bring you feature articles and tips from experienced content creators and film makers as we grow.

Quick Q&A

• Why do I need online distributors?
• Where should I show my film?
• Can I upload full-length feature films?
• What does it cost me?
• How do I generate revenue?
• Are my films protected?
• How do I share my films?

! Why do I need online distributors?
Storytellers need an audience. Your effort can't find an audience if it doesnt get 'out there'. Online distributors offer possibly the widest potential audience for the smallest outlay and effort. It will help you build your reputation, get constructive feedback and showcase your efforts, as well as 'network' and build your own contacts and in-industry links.

! Where should I show my film?
Everywhere and anywhere. Get your film 'out there'. Get your film on to mobile handsets, portable media players and video iPods. It is also recommended that you make your video accessible directly over the internet for the PC user. Reach the widest audience and build a following. This will allow you to create further work that hopefully has a ready-made audience and fan-base.

! Can I upload full-length feature films?
The Video-Fu service specifically targets bite-size content (up to 10 minutes) and mobile platforms. If you wish to target online (broadband) viewers or share full-length videos, then the Video-Fu service may not be sufficient for your needs. There are services such as GoogleVideo and other online video and sharing services that offer this. However, they are usually incompatible with mobile networks such as wap and 3G.

! What does it cost me?
Nothing. To upload and display your content doesnt cost you anything. You can even delete content and replace it with newer videos on a regular basis. If however, you want to display several videos to showcase your variety, we are considering offering a subscription-based 'showcase service' in the near future.

! How do I generate revenue?
At some point, you'll want to be rewarded for your efforts, or reduce your costs. It may be a labour of love but it doesnt have to break you financially. By putting your short films online for free, you'll be developing your reputation and building your network. This can in-turn, lead to collaborative efforts on other shorts, webisode work, or even features. In some cases, distributors will want to purchase the exact short you are showcasing for their customers and we will help those distributors see your work. Extremely popular and highly downloaded videos can even be moved to a 'pay per view' model, such as the iTunes network.

! Are my films protected?
The majority of videos on Video-Fu are syndicated to other distributors, such as 3G networks and iTunes, which have their own protection mechanisms, such as Digital Rights Management (DRM), especially if they go through a charging process to the end user. Other videos, where the client supports Digital Rights, such as Forward Lock, are wrapped in a protective layer. As we don't provide a micro-billing service for syndication, there is no need to add a further layer of protection, which actually goes against the concept of free distribution for promotion and sharing your work.

! How do I share my films?
Prepare your content by converting it to a file format useable by devices such as 3G mobile phones and video iPods. Then, register with us, and upload your video using the facility provided. Video-Fu will then store the video for a short time and create the relevant links and promotion to other distribution networks, as well as making it available for download and feedback via our own servers. Potential agents, distributors and creative collaborators can then view your profile for use in getting in touch with you.
We will also automatically generate the iTunes xml for you, should you wish to submit yourself at a later date.



If you want to share tips, ideas or problems with other mobile content producers, check our [ forums ]

 ‘format overview’
Summarise it for me? Well, a format is a standard that allows the handheld device (mobile phone, ipod etc) to interpret (decode) the digital file back into a video, and includes such information as the number of colours, the size of the picture, the quality of the sound etc. Originally, because handhelds devices were low-powered and small, specific formats were developed to work on mobile phones, as the existing video standards would have been too cumbersome to decode. These new formats became the lowest tier of the mpeg-4 standard. As well as being known as the Simple Profile (Mobile or level 0), they were also known as the 3gpp standard.

A format identifies the range of properties that a video file might have, such as mono or stereo sound, or the maximum frame rate etc. A format such as mpeg-4 can be a container, which has other formats contained within it, such as Advanced Audio Coding for the sound or a specific video codec, such as h.264, which is simply a way to compress the video picture into a digital file. Different devices will support different formats, depending on their technological capabilities and processing power.

An analogy for a container format and codec might be an envelope and letter. The mpeg-4 format is an envelope. Inside it is the letter, which may or may not be folded flat. The manner in which it is folded (and subsequently unfolded) is the codec (which is short for compression/decompression). A large envelope might allow you to store a folded letter inside (in which case you could use a smaller envelope, such as the 3gp format), but you cant store an unfolded letter in a smaller envelope. A codec such as the h.264 codec might enable the letter to be folded into half, or quarters, or even rolled from the top. Ultimately, you want to open the envelope, unfold the letter and read the writing. OK, I'll shut up, Im just confusing matters.

Newer handheld devices, such as the Portable Playstation, Portable Media Centres and video iPods are now capable of working with formats developed for other platforms, such as the home computer. Even the latest mobile phones now support more advanced profiles, such as greater colour depth, higher framerate, larger screen size, greater dynamic range on audio etc.

To create a video file for use by mobile platforms, you should identify your target audience (e.g. mobile phones or video ipods) and pick a format that is likely to be supported by them. For more information, see the [ formats section ]