VHS tape, viewed on a TV set, has long been the workhorse for delivery of video outside the broadcast world. Why would anyone want to use CD-ROM on a computer instead?
If the audience for your video is in the home, VHS will remain the medium of choice for some time. If your message is directed at business, you need to consider that times are changing rapidly. If you are making a sales call, is it easier to bring a TV/VCR combination unit or a notebook computer? If you're in someone's office, what is easiest to find- a VHS VCR and monitor or computer with a CD-ROM drive? The simple truth is that business to business video programming is much more conveniently displayed on computer.

Very few people were taking the idea of video on a computer seriously even a year ago. Suddenly it's a widespread trend. What's going on? The short answer is that all the factors that were holding back this revolution in the past have turned in its favor.

VHS at the Office
Unlike the home, where VCRs easily outnumber computers, the opposite is true at the office. If you can even find a VCR, it is likely to be an old model. The TV monitor, is not usually much better. If it won't work or is out of adjustment, either your video will play poorly or you'll look incompetant.

The only way you can be sure you will be able to show your VHS video is to bring your own TV/VCR combo. Suddenly a notebook computer looks much more attractive. In addition to being able to use it for your work, show your video and other parts of your sales presentation, you project a much more high tech, up-to-date image.

Computers Come of Age for Video
Computers have been steadily upgraded with faster processors, more ram, better full color displays, and CD-ROM drives. Sound cards and speakers have become standard equipment. This technology has become so widespread that it's easily found on computers in the average office.

Suddenly, computers have everything they need to play video from CD-ROM at a quality level comparable to VHS. Now you can send your client a video program on CD-ROM and they can play it more easily than a VHS tape. Combine the advanced features of today's computers with the notebook computer's portability and you have an irresistible combination.

Of course, you must have your video program on a CD-ROM to take advantage of all this great computer technology. Computer and video people have been working together to make this dream come true from the production side as well. The first step was to develop computer file formats for video along with capture cards and software to create them.