Rick, Are you selling DVD versions yet? I almost got the set for myself for Christmas, but thought I'd wait to see if you came out with a DVD version.

We are looking into the idea, but the last time we did found that the cost would not be worth it.
And, everyone owns a VHS player, but not everyone owns a DVD player. A good example, Mary and I just bought our first DVD player last week because our office manager was in a Christmas Play and was the lead singer. She gave us a DVD of it and were embarrased to not be able to watch it.
She forced us into the mod world! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
Guess the point is that by combining them on a DVD will not open up a whole new market for us.., the market will still be the same.

However, we are looking into the DVD idea again, but it may be a while.
One problem with DVDs is the pricing. The production of the 5 videos was so high we still have not even reached the break even point with the VHS version. If we put them all on one DVD, everyone would probably expect them to be the price of one VHS. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Using 20:20 rear vision, we should have put all into one video. However, it would not be nearly as good and thorough as doing the five videos:
1) Total Boat Handling
2) Doing Great Mark Roundings
3) Having Great Starts and Understanding Finishes
4) Sailing Upwind and How to do A Cat Rolltack
5) Downwind Sailing, Spinnaker/Hooter Use, Wildthing, etc.
I don't see how we could have done a good job of combining all of that into a 45 minute VHS. In fact, I think it would be impossible.
The only way we could have done so would be to cut a lot of important information out of them.

Anyway, I hope you can see our problem.
Thanks for asking,
Rick

Rick,

DVD players are down to $35 or less from Walmart and DVD's can be burned on a PC for very little money. For example CRAW distributed their 2004 DVD for $15 - and I'm sure they made a few bucks on each copy.

I for one don't own a VHS player - so I can't buy your videos which is a shame.

You could always bump the price of a DVD which contained all 5 videos - or if they won't fit on 1 DVD do a set of 2. You could then test market it on your store to see what demand was like.

How about some preview clips of each film on the catsailor website to get people interested?

final thought: If you only sell NTSC VHS casettes then you are limited to the North American market. (The majority of European VHS players only handle PAL format tapes). Cheap DVD players often handle both formats - for example I can watch the 'Catamaran Sport' DVD discussed on this site a couple of months ago on my $30 DVD player even though it is in the European PAL format. So moving to DVD's would let you break into the international market - and with increased sales volumes you can afford to drop the price while still recovering production costs.

Chris.

Ditto here. I haven't owned a VCR for over 2 years, which is why I asked this same question in email last year.

Mark.

I put all of the Hobie Promo stuff on DVD last boat show season. A DVD is so much nicer and easier to view. You could actually place all of the clinics on one DVD, but I see your point at still having VHS versions to sell.

The advantage with the promo DVD stuff is easy navigation and constant-on looped content for shows and in-store use. We can't even imagine using VHS tapes anymore. Personally, I hate to rent a VHS for watching movies...yuck.

You can get a production burner (25 per run) for just over $1,000 now that is robotic and prints the labels right on the disks with an inkjet. I just let it burn over night and more during the day when doing a big run. Blank DVD disks are down to under a buck now when purchased in bulk. Depending on how many you do... it can pay for itself pretty quick. We figured ours was paid off right away as compared to doing a bulk order from some company.

On our www.onlinemarinestore.com we now have that European DVD.
Just go to http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&grp=178
and it is about the 5th item down.
Rick

Rick, I thought I was the only one who still didn't have a VCR. I havn't owned one for more than a few years. I have just recently been exposed too and gotten interested in sailing. the first recomendation I get on this site and from sailors is to get your videos. Went to my first regatta last weekend and had the opportunity to see the seacats race. I'm addicted! I guess I will have to break down and buy a VCR so I can order your tapes?

Or maybe pick one up in a yard sale! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Can't believe that VCRs are that out of date.., time must be slipping away from me.

By the way, the videos are the next best thing to taking one of the seminars.., both will help you immensely.
Rick

Hi Folks,

Long time no post.....

First of all, for those of you in Europe, the vhs versions of the video are available in a PAL version, and hopefully this is evident on the store site, as well as in other places. So please, if you're overseas, order away!

Secondly, as Rick said, we are once again looking into releasing the cat videos and the upcoming dinghy video on DVD.

The reason I've shyed away from any DVD replication systems like the one suggested by Matt Miller is a compatibility issue. According to my colleagues in the video business, depending on the age of your DVD player, you may or may not be able to play back a DVD made with this type of system. In addition, given that Rick and I actually like to sail once in a while, I'm not sure I want to make dubs for a living! HA!

Either way, look for all five cat videos and one dinghy video on DVD VERY SOON!!!!

Hooray for technology!!!

Sail Fast,

Tim D. Johnson
Executive Video Producer
Rick White's Video Sailing Seminars

Rick, Thanks for your reply! Ronnie, You are correct! Get the VCR and get the tapes! If you've been hanging out with Dave Moseley, Jake Kohl, and Cary Palmer you are in with a good bunch! Tim, Welcome back! And thanks for the news. I think I'll wait a little longer before ordering the rest of the tapes!