1. Can I use the contents on the disc(s) to create my own background libraries?

Nope! You must appreciate that allowing you to create your own libraries for sale, rent, or fee-based temporal usage based on any content, in whole or in part, on our disc(s) or would lead to the loss of intellectual property rights on our part and hence make our creations largely worthless.

2. Can I create derivative works using the contents of the disc(s) for use by my clients?

As long as you adhere to the Licensing Agreement, what you are asking to do is actually encouraged. :-) As mentioned in the Getting Started document, we, here at broadcastGEMs create our products so that you, the user, can maximize (or minimize, depending on your usage) your time in creating high-quality motion graphics works. We also encourage you to leverage on what we provide within our products by using your own creations to further customize and enhance your output and to, later on, create more compelling works. Were all cool dudes over here at broadcastGEMs, and the better you are as a professional, the more profound our smiles are.

3. Can my colleagues use the contents on the disc(s) on a LAN?

As long as you adhere to the Licensing Agreement, what you are asking to do is actually encouraged. :-) As mentioned in the Getting Started document, we, here at broadcastGEMs create our products so that you, the user, can maximize (or minimize, depending on your usage) your time in creating high-quality motion graphics works. We also encourage you to leverage on what we provide within our products by using your own creations to further customize and enhance your output and to, later on, create more compelling works. We're all cool dudes over here at broadcastGEMs, and the better you are as a professional, the more profound our smiles are.

4. What if I still have questions regarding usage?

Feel free to get in touch with us. Were here to help you out as long and as far as you dont hurt us. Drop us an email at rork@broadcastGEMs.com and let Roland know of your concerns and aspirations. Were all here to make this place a better space. Drop us a line and well take it from there.

5. What is the difference between the DV, DV Pro & AE Pro products?

The DV Pro Series is targeted towards editors who want/need to create high-quality motion graphic backdrops and have a high level of customization options available to them. The DV Series clips are rendered to the DV CODEC in both AVI and QuickTime video architectures, in both PAL and NTSC formats. This ensures that users get either near real-time or real-time processes using our clips in their editing software/hardware. The AE Pro Series is targeted towards Adobe After Effects users and allows them to create high-quality motion backdrops in record time. All clips are provided in high-quality Targa sequences and are rendered at double-frame rate (to preclude interlacing problems from occurring). In essence, the AE Pro Series provides building blocks in the form of backgrounds, elements and project files (Adobe After Effects version 5.5+) to allow unlimited customization options to the user. We've also included a number of 'software-type' elements into our AE Pro Series products. These come in the form of Expressos and Animation Presets. An Expresso is either an element or an effect created using the Expression language in Adobe After Effects. They are easy to use as all pertinent parameters have been linked to the usual plugin controls that users are accustomed to. See our PDF files or browse through the products page to get a better idea of what these unique and powerful Expressos can do for you.

6. What are the advantages of using products from broadcastGEMs?

Customizability. Customizability. Customizability. Our motivation in creating these products is to empower our users to create high-quality motion graphics backdrops in record time. We don't believe in the "slap on the logo and there you go" mentality of stock animated backgrounds. Why? Because it just doesn't work like that in the real world. The real world says that clients often have strict and specific color(s) requirements. And often times, certain elements must be there and at other times, there may be elements, be they small or large, within an animated backdrop design that a client will simply not accept. So, welcome to the real world. With our products, you have the supreme advantage to decide what goes into the animated backdrop that you design for a client. The same grayscale background can be used and re-used for different clients with varying requirements and specifications. Add in elements, text, logos, other bits of graphic objects and you're ready to go. I know of no video production that does not require a graphic backdrop, be it animated or otherwise. You can improve the overall quality of your productions by not only using high-quality animated backdrops but also by using them intelligently.

7. How to add a new revenue stream to your business by leveraging on our products?

We all know that it takes time to create animated backdrops, and even more so when trying to create one which is of a high-quality. We encourage our users to sit in with their clients to pick and choose the designs for their backdrops. Most of these sessions last for less than an hour. Begin by having them see the finished samples from our "Pro Series" products. From there have them pick one or more of the samples that they like. Just remember to let them know that they do not have to like all that they see within a sample backdrop. Start off with the base backgrounds. From there you can add a logo (or place a proxy if it's not in the system - a simple box placed for position and size will do). Then move on to looking for design elements to complement the base background. You can use ours or let them pick from your own library. Once all the elements have been selected, you should move on to selecting colors. It is imperative that you have a good grasp with the mechanics involved with changing colors in your editing software or Adobe After Effects. The process is usually completed within a few clicks in most, if not all, editing/compositing softwares - so don't fret too much. Now all you have to do is to spend a few hours, if not less, to set things up and render away. You'll end up with a great-looking animated backdrop in record time and one which your client will be happy with. In essence, our "Pro Series" products will not only allow you to create great stuff in record time; they also allow you to operate in a more efficient manner. Creating animated backdrops from scratch is not only time-consuming and tedious - so, imagine listening to the drone in your head (not unlike the sound of a reverberating, distorted cash register operating in reverse) as you or an employee spend precious hours re-creating previous designs only because your client wasn't happy with it. But with our "Pro Series" range of products, this is one huge problem you will have less to think of. We've had users clamoring for more of our products because they just can't get enough. They are generating additional revenue thanks to our products and they have clients who are a lot happier with the end result of the video production. And in our business, repeat business is what makes or breaks us.

8. Can I use the clips for HD (16:9) work?

For 720p work, this is certainly doable. Since our base backgrounds are separate from the elements, all you have to do is stretch the base background of your choice to fit the 16:9 format and you're all set to go. This methodology is only applicable to the DV Pro Series and the AE Pro Series which both have separate backgrounds and elements.

09. Which editing software will the DV Series clips work with?

As long as your editing software accepts DV encoded files you should be fine. Users with hardware-assisted software may need to re-encodeour clips into proprietary CODECs in order to achieve realtime performance. This is easily and quickly done with utilities provided by the hardware manufacturers. Get in touch with us on this should you have any difficulties. A number of clips contain Alpha Channels - so ensure that your editing software supports this too. Our non-scientific study showed that a majority of software out there will be able to handle our clips as we've technically designed our clips to fit into the lowest requirements possible without infringing on their utility to the end-user.

10. Who creates broadcastGEMs?

The founder of broadcastGEMs (GEMs is a stylized acronym for Graphic Elements in Motion) is Roland Kahlenberg. Roland is not only a producer/director but is also an Adobe Certified Expert and Instructor in Adobe After Effects. Other than creating broadcastGEMs with other professionals, Roland occasionally teaches at a local university and to fellow professionals. An ardent musician, you will find Roland's music compositions in broadcastGEMs' AE Pro Series products. Roland enjoys ocntributing to the worldwide motion graphics community. You will find him actively involved at the CreativeCOW.net's Adobe After Effects Forum.