WMV vs Quicktime. Which format do you prefer?

[BillShipton]

OK, a very dull question.

But putting our downloads together and we want your advice. We are aware that the majority of people use WMV (Windows Media Viewer) to watch downloads. However being Mac-based here at Splosh!, Quicktime is a lot simpler and better quality.

The questions are....

Do you ever use Quicktime to view downloads?

Would it put you off downloading a film cos it was in Quicktime (even though you can download a free viewer very easily)?

Do you think it would put others off?

Would you rather it was in WMV, even if it meant the quality was poorer?

Yup, I know, not exactly fun questions but it would be helpful to know.

Thanks
Bill

[alext]

Quicktime is OK, and usually convertable into another format if you know what you're doing.

The reason I think most people don't like Quicktime is precisely what you said, Bill - you have to download another viewer to watch it, something that will then sit in the background processes of your PC everytime you turn it on.

Media Player is built into Windows, and requires nothing extra to download and watch a WMV file.

I would download Quicktime, and I wouldn't put a download off just because it's Quicktime, but I would consider converting it once I'd finished the download.

[Candy Custard]

Hi bill, I prefer WMV - dunno why really, I just do lol

[jon42]

As a bit of a computer fiend I have WMP, Quicktime and more in the way of media players, so it doesn't affect me at all.

If it's at all possible, maybe have both? If you have the server space to host both formats, and the infrastructure to allow the user to select which format to buy it would let people have the choice between the two.

[andy250]

I actuall film in both formats Bill, never had anybody complain, I think you would be safe with both.

Watch this now somebody will email ove it....... always the way.

regards

Andy

[matt2matt2002]

I swing both ways on this one - so don't mind whatever format you use.
As long as Clown Julie is in it - it's fine by me.

[morepies]

Hi Bill,

Its a mistake commercially to go for the best quality technology - you should aim to use the format with the biggest market share, which is WMV.

- Morepies

[snake]

Hi Bill,

how about this as a way forward....

why not post two short identical 'preview' clips from the up-and-coming dowload store on the blog site? One could be Quicktime and the other could be WMV. That way we all get to have a taster of what's in store and we can feedback which format is better?

I'd always tend to prefer the higher quality video regardless of which player is needed.

Personally I use GOM player instead of Windows Media Player - it plays all kinds of formats (including .MOV files) and even .FLV videos downloaded from youtube.

GOM player also has a nice feature that lets you jump forward/back 10 seconds using the mouse's scrollwheel - excellent for (ahem) late night one handed computer use...!

...it also lets you view partially downloaded video clips - useful for getting an idea of what that huge 500Mb video is like without having to wait for it to completley download.

ps. no, I don't work for GOM player - I just think its better than Windows Media Player

[Squelch]

Hi Bill,

Its a mistake commercially to go for the best quality technology - you should aim to use the format with the biggest market share, which is WMV.

- Morepies

This looks like the answer to me Bill. Morepies has clearly been to the Del Trotter school of economics. Just fink of tha lavly maney (= bigger sploshing budgets for the future )

[wamcat]

I much prefer WMV and would be put off by QuickTime.

QuickTime may offer better quality for the same data than WMV, but on a PC (and there are more PCs than Macs) you have to pay Apple if you want a player that matches Windows Media Player (or go for a third party). My laptop also struggles with HD quicktime, but has no problem with most other formats.

Also once QuickTime is installed Apple try and sneak iTunes and Safari onto your machine.

[BillShipton]

Had a request asking what file extensions all these formats are.

WMV equals .wmv
Quicktime equals .mov

Interesting replies so far but please keep them coming, we really want to know.

Bill

[midniter]

Bill, my responce woulb be WMV, too. I just find it more user friendly than Quictime and less strain on my PC.

midniter

[piesplatter]

MPEG1 plays on both...what does the team think?

[Miss T]

Hi Bill,

I have to agree with morepies here. Important thing to remember is most people have a pc and media player comes as part of the package. This means that that even the newest of the new to the computer can play wmv files.

midniter is also correct - not everyone has the latest in dual/quad core technology. As a result many pc's will struggle to play the higher quality quicktime files. I know my own hand cranked antique does!!

Finally I thought I would add this...

Bob K has a Mac - we use wmv

[BillShipton]

.
Bob K has a Mac - we use wmv

Out of interest, what software does he use to convert the movies? We edit on Final Cut Pro and are currently playing with Flip2Mac for WMV transfer but there is probably something better.