The viewer must have the software player installed in order to view the video. The most popular players are RealNetworks' RealVideo, Microsoft's Windows Media Player, and Apple's QuickTime. These players are available to computer users as a free download from the Internet. With all these technical barriers, it's no wonder so much Internet video looks like a muddy slide show of jigsaw puzzles. And keep in mind that Internet connections are already in the millions and growing rapidly.
Life is never easy for the independent producer.
Using the Internet to reach a global audience should make things easier, but getting folks to know you exist and visit your site, or click on your film from an Internet film library, is just as hard as doing a theatrical release during the summer blockbuster season. E-mail campaigns are one method of publicizing your cinematic opus. On the Internet you can also research organizations whose members might like your film and post messages on film and video web sites. Producing a live webcast is now easy and affordable. Your films can be stored and indexed in a searchable Internet library.