Would you buy a "Service DVD" (video howtos)?

[Syonyk]

I'm pondering putting together a DVD of "service howtos" for old gen Subarus (initially EA82 stuff, because that's what I have).

 

It would cover the basics of maintenance/repair on these cars - topics I was thinking of including:

 

Oil/filter change

Coolant flush

Timing belts

Accessory belts

Alternator replacement

Oil pump replacement

Water pump replacement

Axle replacement

Brake work (both disk & drum in the rear)

Tuneups (plugs/wires/cap/rotor/etc)

Door disassembly

 

And other assorted things as needed, potentially having a "beginner" and "advanced" set.

 

I'd be selling these for somewhere in the $20 range. I might also have a downloadable version or something (buy access, get the videos as needed).

 

Is this something people would buy? I know old gen people are as a rule broke, so it's a good crowd to pitch to.

 

My thought is that while the USRM is a wonderful resource, many people learn better by watching, and I think it would become clear just how simple things can be if you've got a DVD to watch of the process.

 

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

-=Russ=-

[Phizinza]

My thought is that while the USRM is a wonderful resource, many people learn better by watching, and I think it would become clear just how simple things can be if you've got a DVD to watch of the process.

I agree with you here. But I wouldn't buy anything like that myself. I do find a FSM manual helpful, but I've been fixing cars for too long, and if I don't know, my dad does.

I'm not sure how many people would buy it, but it would be really good for those who have no clue as to even change the oil on their old subie. And the way prices are with mechanics for these simply jobs it could save someone a lot of money.

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

Well... It is Just a Suggestion: Why don´t you do a short version of the most important issues with Subies, and Upload ´em just to make ´em Downloadable for anyone with problems to fix a particular issue?

Well, I think that will be Great if we can Download a Video that can help with the Idea of How To Fix a Thing... You Know... but Buy it... well...

Anyway, Good Luck! and if you Make that DVD, maybe I´ll Buy it, Always is Interestin´ that Stuff... (it will Depend on the Price and the Troubles with gettin it to my Country... etc ) But it is a Very Nice Idea... Good Luck!

[Davalos]

Hey Russ:

 

I would totally buy it. I'd be all over that. Have you done anything like this before?

 

The reason I ask that is the challenge with these kinds of things is production value. It's MUCH more difficult than you probably think. For a low-to-midgrade production value, figure 90 minutes of time per minute of end-footage. "low-to-midgrade" means no music, kinda lousy lighting, rough cuts, continuity issues, etc etc etc. If you want to bump-up the production value, you're talking double, maybe triple that. Then you have editing issues, crew issues (you'd need 3-4 people to 'do it right' animation/graphics, etc., Plus licensing any music.

 

That's what people would expect for $20 bones. And the people who would buy it would be people like me - weekend-mechanic-types who know enough to have some tools, but not enough to

 

It'd be like me ordering a DVD on how to tile a bathroom - I'd be like "what, are you kidding me?" But there are TONs of people who would pay $10-$20 to do it. Just depends on the level. You could potentially make a 'beginners' and an "advanced" level, too.

 

I've produced film and video, and it's NOT as easy as people think. I'd take his advice above and do ONE of them for now - say, an oil change. Something easy, something simple, almost as a 'throw-away' topic - "how to change the air filter" or "How to change a tire" - something obvious and easy. Then put it out there for people to watch and give feedback. You basically put it out there and say "Tear it up" and we give you 'feedback' and "try this" or "do that" or "I didn't like this" or "It would be great if you had _____". That's the part where you sit back & say "thanks for the feedback" while you tink to yourself "Holy crap, do you have any idea know how hard that would be?" But that's what your customer would want...

 

Remember who your audience is, also - who buys & owns these? Design it to fit that thinking-mode. If Dr.s and Lawyers were your customers your final result should be different than if punk-kids were the owners.

[Phizinza]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7333927711793956363

 

Took me 20mins of video'ing. 20mins to capture to my computer. 30mins to edit up. 10 mins to mix the music in. 40mins to blank out the number plates. And about 30mins to get it on the net, compressed and everything.

 

I've done a 1 and a half hour DVD (a thing for some friends, concert.) 90mins to video it all. 240mins to editing two videos of the same thing together. Set the computer up to burn it to DVD, 10mins on manu and music. (computer took 4 hours to DVDatise it) 20mins to create a DVD picture 30mins to print 10DVD's then all I had to do was put the discs in as it wanted another.

 

For a learner I'd say you could make a very decent video if you took 90 mins pre 1 min of video. I'd probably get it to a reasonable look with about 15mins pre 1 min.

 

Also remembering you can't use Music unless you have permission (even if it's a friends, they can bit you back in the ***.)

 

Just thinking out loud.

[bgd73]

Hey I got an idea too...

after the 5 dollar manual and an ability to read from ebay satisfies all basic how-tos. "The truth of the Loyale" -uncut edition for 2 dollars more! complete with unintentional cursing and stuff!

that would be great!

chapters like "How to scrap EGR"

or "How to fix the exhaust"

showing how to move the flex joint just below the gear shifter towards the back of the car, to avoid yet another exhaust poisoning!

or even some wild and crazy chapters "How to make a cold intake boot"

or "How to save an old coil" - with specifics noone talks about, like grounding on the loyale (<-that could be a whole other chapter!)

or "What to do with the burnt clock" there's guage ideas, where to run wires all kinds of spiffy neat stuff...

or this would be my favorite final chapter "What is the pig, and how do you kill it?"

[daeron]

I cant say that I would personally buy a DVD, or a complete set of anything, but the idea of doing "chapters" and making them available for individual download for a nominal donation fee would be great... that way anyone could view a chapter to get them thru their current issues, and might then buy the whole thing. It certainly makes good sense as an idea, like you said, for a Video USRM. doing it as chapters would also offer you the advantage of being able to produce it a step at a time, and sell a sort of license or subscription for an overall fee or individual downloads.

 

I really think that someone looking for help installing a timing belt would LOVE something like this, and it really would be better than any step by step description could EVER get. T-belts are simple enough, but anyone here is aware of how many questions CAN come up. However, anyone here would say to any friend who had bought a soob, "go ahead and do it. I will watch you over your shoulder and make sure you do everything right, and you WILL be done in less than six hours." right?

 

I would say that, even tho I myself wouldn't buy a total set, I would pay five or ten bucks to watch a good thorough video on headgaskets that showed head cracks that were tolerable compared to those that were too bad. That visual aid alone would justify paying for it, in my eyes. Add to that some information akin to the Hayne's Manual standard color page on spark plug conditions, (How to know youve been running too hot, not getting proper coolant flow, too much pinging, need new valve guides, etc) and that is an INCREDIBLE resource for someone who, like I am, is an advanced amateur mechanic who has yet to gain a full umbrella of experience. I've never pulled heads before, myself.

 

AND since you are spending as much time as you do on here answering the questions anyhow, the question of investing your time for a nominal, delayed financial return is almost moot. its basically a trickle-in slushfund.

[mikeshoup]

I definitely think, it'd be better to upload the videos for people to download, and then ask for a small donation from those who do. I'm sure you'd get donations if the videos are helpful and useful. Hell, I'd donate some money for a video on changing the front axles (which I'm about to undertake)

[calebz]

My suggestion:

 

Choose a random group of Beta testers and make a short 1-2 chapter Pilot. Make any changes you see necessary based on your beta feedback.

 

If well done, this is a great idea. I would gladly purchase both a beginner and advanced set. I firmly believe in having every resource available. There is always something in one book or video that isn't in another.

 

Caleb

[Syonyk]

[trimmed for length]

 

Thanks for all the suggestions - I've done video work before, so I have an idea of what's involved.

 

I wasn't planning a huge production - most likely just video with voiceovers & some simple graphics/figures as needed.

 

-=Russ=-

[Phizinza]

I had a thought.

 

What I think would sell more is "how to fix the screw ups!" Like fixing those stripped exhaust bolts. Or getting out sheared off bolts from the most horrible places. Which to my knowledge just requires lots of drilling, some more drilling, and few swear words, and "easy out", more swear words after it breaks in the hole. Some more drilling. And finally just cut a new dodgy thread in that HUGE hole you now have...

 

That's about all I wanted to know how to do when I started fixing cars, "fixing those old stripped/sheared threads"