wingnut 0 #1 April 22, 2002 well as most of ya know i got a messed up back and it looks like i'll be out of the sport for a while..... i was thinking about this the other day and i've come to a conclusion.... i think i might sell my gear and buy my dream computer and start a little buisness of my own. i'd like to convert peoples old home movies and what ever they have on vhs or 8mm (camcorder) to video cd or dvd. i wouldn't do anything copyrighted unless they send the original and sign a form saying they want it copied for arcival purposes only. (might rethink that too). i have a couple old rigs i could get probly 1000 out of combined and will be getting some more mula when i get back to colorado. probly enough to at least get me started...and if it doesn't work out i'd atleast have one kick ass computer to post here on...... i was thinking charging l like $5 for a vcd (1 hour) and $20 for a dvd (2 hours) both playable on a dvd player..... so what do ya think????? let me know........."i may not go to heven, i hope you go to hell"-C.C. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #2 April 22, 2002 Wingnut,I think the personal video conversion business would be really difficult. At the rates you quotes, would it really be worth your time? If you charged something more, would people be willing to pay it. There is probably more overhead to the project than you think. And issues like people trying to stiff you and complaints to deal with.Before you sell your gear, I'd make really sure you can make a successful go of the concept.Good luck either way!Justin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChromeBoy 0 #3 April 22, 2002 If you are really thinking about it put a business plan together and review with maybe a friend or relative that has a lot of experience in business. Determine what the initial start up costs are in order for you to have all of the items you need to be successful, where you will get the demand for your product and research other businesses that are similiar to yours that have opened between maybe 1 month and ten years and get information on their year over year growth. Something like this will probably take time time get a return on investment and I am sure once you get to that point you will want to upgrade your current technological capabilities to stay ahead of the game. This means that for probably a year or two you will be putting money back into the business and have a liitle in return so your primary military job will be your main income so you would really have to start your savings from that income for your rigs, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheMarshMan1 0 #4 April 22, 2002 I have no idea how the process works of converting VHS/8mm into DVD's, but is that something that people will be able to do themselves in a few years for a reasonable cost? Just something you might want to consider...."If I could be like that, I would give anything, just to live one day, in those shoes..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #5 April 22, 2002 sorry i forgot to say i was going to buy a computer anyways and was just wondering what ya guys thought of the idea of starting a little side bisness...nothing big or fancy just something on the side...plus i'll probly sell my rigs anyways as i won't be using them for a while and want to get something better when i do start jumping again... i'd be keeping my sabre and the container that i have that needs a reserve...."i may not go to heven, i hope you go to hell"-C.C. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JDBoston 0 #6 April 22, 2002 I think that's a pretty f'in cool idea. As far as the economics: without knowing anything about the technology and how scalable that kind of an operation is, I would say require a minimum order of $100 or something similar. The people who are likely to be the biggest pain in your ass are the cheapskates that will dick around with you for $5 off on their 1 tape they want converted. Also, the fewer relationships you have to manage, the better. And everyone pays in advance, of course. Stretch delivery as long as you can without pissing people off - 1 month at least. Since I was in venture capital for a while, and work in a small company now, I'd be happy to offer other business plan thoughts if you want any. Not that I know everything but maybe I'll be able to dig up a few useful nuggets. Good luck in any case if you decide to go through with it.Joe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keith 0 #7 April 22, 2002 I say go for it. I would do some checking around and see what others are charging for this service. Your price points seem a little low. Keith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hisgoofyness 0 #8 April 22, 2002 actually this is something that is out now...i believe it is a unit made by phillips, but anyway you can run rca's from your camcorder or vcr in to the unit and burn dvd'si am sure the unit is very expensive, so the fact that they are starting to advertise could help out initially to peak buyer's intrest, but you know as time goes on the technology will get cheaper and cheaper until everyone has onei still remember when i went through my audio progression from vinyl, to 8 track, to cassette, to cd; but i still love the sound and warmth of that old vinylhisgoofyness "My altimeter reads zero... What do I do now?" MB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #9 April 22, 2002 I've got a few friends that do this, and they're finding it really tough work to do independently... The low end is being encroached(sp?) by off the shelf hardware that does it out of the box. The high end means selling to companies, and there's tons visual media specialists in the field...Plus, just don't sell your gear. I'd hate to see you get out of this sport. I have this nagging feeling that once you sell your gear you're probably not gonna come back..._AmICQ: 5578907MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfeYahoo IM: ametcalf_1999 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
harro 0 #10 April 22, 2002 I have been thinking about going into business for myself and I have spoken to a few people about it. Firstly they suggest education on what you want to do. No use going into a business unqualified. Get pieces of paper saying thast you are good at what you do. Next thing is to contact EVERYONE you know. Make a list of all your close freinds. Then people you went to school with. People you have just met, people you have walked past and said hi to and contact them. This is the start of networking. Get the word started. Tap dance it if you have to.Good Luck, there is a hard road ahead, remember to wear sneakers!Freemind, freesky, freebeer, freefly, freesex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #11 April 22, 2002 andy, don't worry, i'm not selling all my gear, just the stuff i have that i won't be using for a while... i'm keeping a container and a main and my pilot chutes, never can have to many pilot chutes...lol....and i think i might just buy a new computer to make the geek in me happy.... maybe i can cater to the skydiving market and do video cd's for people's skydiving videos.....i already got all the stuff to do it but i just need a new m/b and processor to round it all out...."i may not go to heven, i hope you go to hell"-C.C. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rgoper 0 #12 April 23, 2002 do the proper research in the field you propose to work in, create a market for yourself. know your competition! maybe even get with a small business developer at your local jr. colledge and get them to help you put a plan together, maybe you'll qualify for a small business loan to get you started. one thing is for sure, nothing ventured, nothing gained. "plan your work, and work your plan" good luck on your venture. by the way, i think it's a keen idea, that and internet website construction.Richard"Gravity Is My Friend" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
