Integrating HD video, pro digital photo tools, and color printers into the presentation mix can produce many benefits for companies that aggressively adopt these new technologies.
Not only do these powerful tools increase the effectiveness of presentations that can positively impact the bottom line, they also facilitate the development of valuable digital assets.
Software that Sells
A timely DVD of a product demo or a company presentation is a handout that keeps on selling long after the meeting is over. Corel Ulead's DVD Movie Factory 5 provides a fast, simple way to create professional quality DVDs of slide shows, and even high definition Blu-ray discs directly from HDV camcorder footage. The ($40) program includes customizable menu templates with stylish effects, and lets you incorporate your own video or stills into the menu screens.
Stepping up to an easy to use professional graphics program, such as Corel PaintShop Pro Photo XI (less than $80), can increase the productivity of non-technical personnel. Using this program, a salesman we know quickly combined photos of two products to preview the look of a complete system for a customer. The result, a $10,000 sale closed many days sooner than would otherwise have been possible. PaintShop Pro Photo XI also includes a browser to rapidly locate digital photos via calendar, thumbnails, and other visual cues.
Watching Your Assets
Digital Railroad is a portal that provides professional photographers and their potential customers with a platform to buy and sell images for business use. The site provides a cost-effective way for companies to acquire just the right shot for a brochure or presentation. It also enables businesses that have accumulated libraries of images (from sunsets to product application shots) to leverage those assets for profit and relationship building.
Efficient workflow is the secret to effectively handling a flood of images generated by a fast growing business. Digital asset cataloging software helps you find the picture you're looking for among the thousands on your hard drives. The sub-$200 iView MediaPro 3 application from Microsoft is packed with powerful, time saving tools for batch processing and metadata searches. Its Light Table feature also lets you view 6 images side-by-side and mark your selections with color labels and ratings.
Disc It (or DVD Blues)
You can distribute presentations with large video or multimedia files on a standard DVD. The Plextor PX-608U is a reliable, fast, compact, external portable disc drive. This $200 DVD burner weighs less than one pound and also supports 5X DVD-RAM functionality for removable data storage applications.
The Super Multi Blue Drive GSA H10N from LG Electronics was introduced at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. The $799 unit burns Blu-ray discs and standard DVDs, and can playback HD-DVD discs as well.
Konica Minolta Large-Format, Photorealistic Quality Color Laser
When image is everything and time is critical, count on the magicolor® 7450 from KONICA MINOLTA for dazzling color prints in seconds. With 9600 x 600 dpi-class quality, the magicolor 7450 delivers photorealistic, true-to-life detail. It prints 24.5 ppm in color or b&w, with a first-page-out time of only 11 seconds. And since it supports diverse media types and sizes--from 3.54" x 5.5" to 12.25" x 18", and up to banner size (12.25" x 47.24")--you can bring all of your color printing tasks in house and save big. The magicolor 7450 is backed by five years of toll-free, U.S.-based technical support for years of trouble-free productivity. For more information, call 1-800-523-2696 or visit www.buymagicolor.com. www.buymagicolor.com
To keep abreast of the latest developments in presentation technology including AV/IT integration, digital signage, streaming video, and conferencing solutions, attend the InfoComm07 Conference and Exhibition, June 15-21 in sunny Anaheim, California.
