RetouchPRO LIVE on YouTube (beta)

[Craig Murphy]

I can see myself spending the $20 and then for some reason not being able to take advantage of it within that 72 hour period properly. Also if I want to review something after the 72 hours I have to repurchase. I suppose there is no way to put a number of views limit. I don't know. This is a tough one for you to figure out. Usually with these online seminars etc. the shows are for sale after the fact without any time limits.

[janekm]

Surprised to hear that Google is taking a 45% cut... That is rather excessive. Hopefully they will institute more reasonable fees after the beta period and all will be well.

For myself I would feel a little more hesitancy to buy a show at $20 rather than say $15... I'd have no issue with a little extra for the benefits of Youtube but a doubling is unfortunate. I don't know if your agreement with the presenters makes this possible but if you could try a few of the shows at $15 maybe the larger sales numbers would make up for the lower per-viewing revenue. I could see myself (once they become available in Europe) watching a lot more of the shows than I am able to now when they are often on at rather inopportune times for myself.

Not to worry there are certainly some of the shows that I would watch for $20 but I would watch more for $15.

In any case at either price I am very glad to see them available in this format now and let me say a big thank you in general for producing these shows, the ones that I have viewed have been an absolute delight and the Amy Dressler show in particular gave me a whole new perspective on retouching, away from the all-too-common technical focus.

[morphsmom]

I have trouble watching anything on Youtube. Even though I'm supposed to have the highest level of Internet access available through my carrier (I live in the country and have satellite), I hear about three words and then it buffers, so it takes about three hours to view a 30 minute video. So, I wouldn't rent any of these. Sorry. I really enjoy the presentation.

[Doug Nelson]

If you have viewed one of these shows can we get some feedback about how it looked, how it worked for you, etc.?

Evidently there have been tens of views so far (well, maybe just ten, I have no way of telling) and I still have no idea of people's opinions of how this compares to a rebroadcast.

[CJ Swartz]

Originally Posted by Doug Nelson

If you have viewed one of these shows can we get some feedback about how it looked, how it worked for you, etc.?

...people's opinions of how this compares to a rebroadcast.

It's been a couple of weeks since I viewed the one I watched, (Steve Caplin's "Selections and Pen Tool" about which I already posted ), but I would say that there was no difference in quality between the original broadcast (which I paid for/watched) and the YouTube version. The video was very good IMHO and the audio was not good once in a while which happens with every presentation done with Steve or others who are overseas from the U.S. The audio connection clears up after a couple of minutes and we don't really lose anything since Doug vamps for that time until we can hear Steve or other presenter again.

BTW, I noticed that none of Steve's videos are currently listed at YouTube (as of today 3/10/2010 at 1:23 MST). Hope they will be added again since he's one of my favorites.

Finding the time to watch such a video during a 72 hr. span can be unnerving - watching only takes the original 2 hours plus but trying to learn and practice parts we're watching takes time. If you stop working on it and take a break, then there's the fear that you'll miss the deadline and not finish all the practicing you want. I never finished within the 3 days because other things came up and when I went back to it, I was a little too late. When you decide to rent one, be as sure as you can be that you can schedule enough time to watch all the parts you want to and practice and watch again - playing and re-playing takes time and some people need to sleep/eat/do errands and chores, and some even have to go to work. This is a great chance to learn, and you need to have a clear schedule to concentrate with as few distractions as possible. It's not like renting a movie that we simply watch and maybe watch again during the rental period - we need time to work with the tips and techniques shown. Give yourself a LOT of time to enjoy it and practice with it.

[Doug Nelson]

Thanks for the feedback, I've notified youtube about the missing videos.

[CJ Swartz]

Doug, they are still there - somewhere. When I do a search for Steve's name, two videos are listed (Layer Masks and Selections/Pen tool), but when I click on "See all uploads" - they are not listed. If I click on "most viewed" or "top rated", Steve's videos are listed -- along with "How to confuse an Idiot"...

Also - when I look at my YouTube subscriptions page - Steve's videos are the only ones missing.

[BitG]

I bought the Tarintino one the other day. Quality on 720 was very nice, I could see everything pretty close to actual screen quality. I couldn't play it on full HD, but I think that was a problem with YouTube, they seem to get pretty buggy sometimes.
All in all I enjoyed it quite a bit. I skipped over some of the parts because it was just talking, but I understand that since it was recorded from a live show.
I don't know how soon I'll buy another one, the $20 is a bit much for the length of a regular movie, about 2 hours worth of footage. But as I said, I did enjoy it, and I think you are on to something here.

[rainerito]

Such a good idea I tought but in Japan I can not see the videos for copyright reasons.

[Doug Nelson]

Steve Caplin's shows are visible again.

[Neillo]

This is a great idea Doug - I hope it all pans out ok and the tutorials become available as part of the RP mainstream. I know you stipulate a 3 day viewing period - but would there be a consideration for a complete 'Re-broadcast' download for more bucks, maybe some of the older ones.... ? It would just add another dimension of end-userability, having it there on your hard drive, anytime and not have to worry about streaming speeds etc...

[Doug Nelson]

Again, never say never, but right now I'm concentrating on lowering the price and getting them viewable worldwide.

[Doug Nelson]

Four more shows are now available for viewing:

Carrie Beene's product retouching show
Mikkel Aalands Lightroom Workflow show
Steve Caplin's very first show (where he makes a montage from start to finish)
Gry Garness' second show (retouching a child's image)

[sirimo]

So I bit the bullet and tried it out from the UK. I've access to the US via a fast commercial VPN proxy. This gives me a US IP and I also have a US prepaid visa card that can use any address and validate as correct, this is needed for Google checkout to allow the rental. I'd not recommend anyone to go out and get this setup particularly to rent the RP live videos, it's just stuff I already have in place for other reasons, I gave it a go and it worked for me to a certain degree. I'm not going to go into details about whom these are with or why I have them, suffice to say they are for totally legitimate work reason. I presumed you wouldn't mind if I tried it out Doug

I rented the Amy Dresser 2 show. I could only stream at 720 not 1080, not sure if this was because of a bandwidth limitation from using the VPN or some other factor. Normal downloads through the VPN are usually fast enough to almost saturate my 50 MB connection, so it may have just been other factors at play. I'll try again at other times during the next 48 hours to see it it plays at all at 1080.

So how was the broadcast? Informative and enjoyable. I wish Youtube's player had better controls, trying to scrub back 20 seconds to review a part of the process generally ends up with jumping back too far and having to rewatch more than you wanted.

The 720 stream was passable, however some details like small brush strokes were hard to see, or even tell where on the screen Amy was working. I'm presuming with 1080 this would be a lot clearer.

There were occasional pauses while the stream rebuffered, but maybe only 5 or 6 times during the entire show. Again I'd assume this was due to the VPN proxy not Youtube, it certainly didn't spoil the experience and only lasted about 5 seconds each time.

Overall I'd say it was an enjoyable experience and interesting to see Amy's workflow. Whilst it's similar to how I retouch now I did pick up a few tricks and tips from the experience and for me that's what it's all about. Hearing Amy talk about the reasons why she does certain stuff and doesn't do other stuff was perhaps the most informative aspect.

Would I rent another show? Yes for sure. I'd still much prefer to pay $10 or $15, but even at $20 it's still worth it. At $10 - $15 I'd likely rent the entire catalogue over time. At $20 however it's a bit steep to do so.

I'd highly recommend anyone who wants to learn how to retouch to a higher level to check the rentals out or catch a live show. I know I'll be making extra effort to try and make one of the future live shows now.. $10 really is a bargain, especially seeing how you can ask questions as the show progresses.

[Doug Nelson]

Thank you for that review. What little I know about streaming would lead me to believe that latency more than bandwidth (or VPN overhead) was responsible for your viewing limitations. Once the beta ends the stream will be mirrored on youtube's servers worldwide so that will no longer be an issue.

[sirimo]

Ahhh yes you're probably correct Doug. Any idea when it's due out of Beta?

[Doug Nelson]

I wish they'd tell me, but they can't/won't. I just hope it doesn't end up being one of their perpetual betas (even if that is the case, it should gradually loosen up).

But it is still very early in the development process, lots of bugs and missing bits still.

[MRomine]

I think this is a great idea and this is what i have been looking for since I'm never available for the live broadcasts but...it's too high for a test and limited to three days.

What about iTunes as a Podcast?

mark

[nyxxie]

I really wish the price was $10 like the live shows. I would totally rent them...

[Imustbedead]

Doug I would love to purchase viewing rights to the channel, and I have no problem with the price. But I don't have a life style that can mold to the 72 hour thing. The most I could fit in would be one or two videos, and then I don't feel like I'm getting the value worth.

I would pay more to have permanent viewing rights, or a longer period of time.

[Martin G.]

Hey Doug.

I'm from Germany so I can't view your videos in this "Beta".

But if you're unhappy with Youtube... what about iTunes?

This would be the best solution I think and you'll have more possibilities to sell your great content the way you want to.

Sure, the users will be able to download it easily. But hey, it's like micro stock. With fair prices and everywhere accessibility you gain a higher demand and more sales.

Best regards

Martin

[Doug Nelson]

Originally Posted by Imustbedead

Doug I would love to purchase viewing rights to the channel, and I have no problem with the price. But I don't have a life style that can mold to the 72 hour thing. The most I could fit in would be one or two videos, and then I don't feel like I'm getting the value worth.

I would pay more to have permanent viewing rights, or a longer period of time.

I'm afraid it's even more of a disappointment than you think. Your rental is for one movie, just like at the video store (or does anyone even still use those?).

[Doug Nelson]

Originally Posted by Martin G.

But if you're unhappy with Youtube... what about iTunes?

iTunes won't reply to my (many) email inquiries. Word is they won't deal with individuals for their rentals.

I can't say I'm unhappy with YouTube, mostly just frustrated. If they'd change just a couple of things (which they very well may) I'd be delighted with them. And it wasn't like I chose them over another alternative. At this point they are the only choice for this quality of service at this low of a volume. And they know it (hence my frustration).

[tinyhalo]

I agree with Jose, $10 for a live interactive show in which you can ask questions vs $20 for non-interactive seems a tad high. Having the ability to go back and forward to different points will be beneficial and having it available for 3 days is great too however $10 is kind of throwaway money whereas at $20 you start to think much harder. I might want to see two live shows with different techniques instead.
Scott

[Doug Nelson]

The lowest bid I've ever gotten (which required me to sign a contract committing to $12,000/yr volume and pay several thousand upfront) would allow me to price the shows at $15. Needless to say at this early stage I'm not comfortable with that commitment.

And these shows are for people who can't attend the live shows, or missed them when they aired, so it's not a case of $20 vs. $10, it's a case of $20 vs. not seeing a particular show.

Perhaps I should just raise the live show price, then no one would object to the rental price

[Imustbedead]

Man I just want all the shows on a DVD or a access to them whenever. I would pay a lot more then $10 or $20 for that.

[tobajer]

Do not understand what's all the fuss about ? 20$ is too much ? Come on - are U kidding ? 72 hours - back and forth with pros that know how to do it ! Almost the same as one-on-one with Deke. My advise for U Doug - DO NOT MAKE IT DOWNLOADABLE - next day view of these videos will drop drasticalle as all of them will be avaiable at rapidshare, hotfile, magaupload, etc. It is good the way it is and the price is right !!! That is what I have waited for - I can pause the show - think about what I have senn, reconsider and what is most essential take notes with best workflows, how to do it and why. I am from Poland - have been to US and tell U that U earn in a week what we make in a month. But if U want to become pro in any profession U have to invest your time and money. If U do not want spend just 20$ per rental show start thinking about different profession and get rid of pirate software that U have on your mac or pc - I mean Photoshop.

Doug I am waiting for notification whem videos will be avaialble in Poland and more shows concernig high end jewellery retouching - rings, necklases, obtaining right color of gold, silver, platinum, etc., best workflows.

Thank God for RP !
Tom

[vadimonmac]

I hate that youtube rental - only US !!! It's unacceptable!!!

[tobajer]

Hi Doug,

How long it will be in beta ? It is almost a month, and I am visiting youtube almost everyday, just to look at these great names next to each show ! I JUST WANT TO PUT MY HANDS ON THESE TUTORIALS - BADLY !!! Gry Garness - I just bought her CS4 ebook today that is best spend money for a long time, Amy Dresser - no need to say whom she is, Chris Tarantino - should retouch photo of... Uma Thurman ,and of course Carrie Beene. COME ON - I AM TIRED OF WAITING. I WANT THESE VIDEOS TO BE OBTAINED WORLDWIDE !!! I do not join tommorow show with Amy, just because I want her for 72h not only 2 !!! Is Youtube the only option BTW ?

Regards
Tom from Poland

[Doug Nelson]

I feel your pain. YouTube won't give me any clue. But it is still very early in the beta (they still don't even have a working reporting system, and the upload system is very buggy).

People underestimate how complex something like this is. It's far more than simply putting a file on a server somewhere. It's even more complicated than running a streaming server. Adding in the ecommerce, etc., only multiplies the complexity. Then take that entire system and mirror it to hundreds of servers worldwide (it's not unusual for the stream source to switch servers a dozen times or more during a single viewing, to contantly keep the stream flowing via the fastest possible route).

I realize viewers aren't interested in what's going on behind-the-scenes, they just want what they want NOW! But as frustrated as I am with YouTube, it currently is the only game in town for us, and I'm glad they're taking the time to set things up right to avoid the inevitable backlash of frustrated customers who pay and aren't happy with the quality of their viewing experience.