How do you share/transfer digital media?

[Imran]

How do media producers share/transfer digital files? These files are large, both in size and quantity.
Do you use:
1. Emails?
2. Upload to websites?
3. Burn to CD/DVD and snail mail them?
4. Any other mechanisms?

What are the issues that you are facing with your current method of file sharing/transfer?

[Floyd Webb]

I upload to my server and provide an FTP account,

Audio video, Powepoint

I do video dailies on Vimeo.com

I have been doing this with global clients since 1998 with no real problems by bandwidth

Floyd Webb

[Mike Janowski]

Well, it sort of depends on the purpose and result of the file.

For what I consider "source" material (I'm a video editor), these files are usually very large, so high capacity media transfer solutions are needed. For single files, or a few smaller (100 meg - 1 gig) files, FTP or FTP substitutes like YouSendIt work OK, as does burning to DVD-ROM. Large amounts of files, or big HD files, just go on a hard drive and get physically delivered to the receiver. I think trying to send 20-30 gig of SD video, or even larger HD files, is still the purview of specialty services, like Vyvx, etc.

Smaller compressed files for review purposes are easier...I can post to my website for viewing, email them to the client directly (if they're under 10 or 20 meg), burn to disc-ROM or again, use YouSendIt. Most facilities I work at have some sort of FTP system, with or without a fancy browser front-end, to send review copies. A couple of cool ones are the "Baker" system at Pixel Brothers in Chicago, which automates the process of creating a "sendable" Flash movie from longer-form master videos, and allows clients to review and comment on the video; and the "Auto-FTP" system developed in-house at The Q Center (formerly Andersen Telemedia in St. Charles). This system automates the distribution of WMV review copies of programs in progress. Basically, I export a Quicktime reference movie into the "approval" folder, and the system takes care of compression, then notifies everyone involved in the project (via some sort of listserv) that a link to the video is available. Makes things totally easy-cheesy for me, the producers and project managers to keep their far-flung (literally, worldwide) audiences up to date.

Issues? (1) Balky email systems that won't pass large attachments - makes email a less desirable choice, even though most people seem to understand it best. (2) Certain systems set up by SysOps to exclude FTP substitutes like YouSendIt - this has happened a couple of times, which usually results in me having to figure out some sort of arcane FTP procedure that they require...stoo-pid! (3) Clients who refuse to accept that, in this digital age, they have almost as much responsibility as I do to make sure that they can play what I send them. Unlike the VHS days of yore, just because I can play it here doesn't mean they'll be able to play it correctly there...as the Bumblebee Man says on the Simpsons, "¡Ay, que lastima!"

[Imran]

My company [Chicago based] has built a product that makes sending large files easy. Its currently undergoing beta testing.
Since you have insight into these issue, it will be much appreciated if you can try the application and provide feedback. There is no cost to you. http://www.binfer.com.

[Nancy Hanna]

thanks. i've bookmarked you site. next time i'll give it a try.
nancy
www.forword.tv

[Nancy Hanna]

I use vimeo because I can update the video files if needed and not re-do my link: http://www.vimeo.com/user1447638
Free Upload website: https://www.yousendit.com/?home=true

Here's my latest project on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/forwordtv