Does it make more sense not to allow video downloads?
 

Does it make more sense not to allow video downloads?

Reasons to not allow downloads:

1. It will prevent people saving the films and then uploading to porn tube sites (and other such sites).
2. It will keep members longer. They are not going to join, download everything then leave. They will be forced to stay to watch the films.
3. This is what Netflix (and other sites do). As people are used to this now, I see no reason why they should see your site differently.
4. May even take pressure of your server as there may not be big downloads.

Reasons to allow downloads.

You fear members will not like it, and so cancel membership. But chances are they may not stay anyway.
In today's world, people can watch the films live on your site.

As your members will probably be watching on mobile phones and tablets, will they even want to download films due to (1) the amount these gadgets can store, and (2) fear others will see the films.

If people want a copy of the films you have shot, then why not sell them the film on DVD or/and Blu Ray as an upsell?

Today we see most 'mainstream' firms now see to be online only. The free part of the BBC Iplayer seems to be online, rather than let you download.

The result should be more members (as they with luck will not see the films free on porn tube sites), and for your members to stay longer. This will mean increase in your revenue and as such, you can shoot or buy more content, thus your members are even happier.

Today many sites have lost huge income because put simply, there content is free on porn tube sites. Indeed I remember telling a website owner 6 years ago that his site was free on several pirate sites. For some reason at the time he seemed uninterested. In the last year he shut his site stating it was due to lack of sales.

Does it make more sense not to allow video downloads? | Wouj Webmaster Site

You should probably concentrate on having more than 80 paying members before worrying about this analysis.

He also has a webmaster site with affiliate links though :2 cents:

Webmaster site created by someone that wears dresses while fingering skeletons and has ~40 active subscribers to his paysites. Not a webmaster site I'd be frequenting or taking advice from.

This is an old argument. Some sites offer both. I do this myself. Streaming + downloading.

Streaming can cause MORE strain on your servers and therefore you should have a streaming-only server (more $).

Downloads and piracy are not the issue. Pirates can rip films from a stream.

Yadda yadda yadda.

^^ What he said.
If people want to steal & pirate, they will.

Yep, years ago I was on the clock at Apple writing scripts to save flv streams before it was easy to do, my boss asked me to do it.. :upsidedow

:1orglaugh
:1orglaugh
Instantly lost half his subs for fingering skeletons.

I think things have changed in recent years.

1. One presumes you would use the modern html format rather than flash to stream films.

2. We are in an era of 4k = HUGE files.

I am presuming that if your smart that even with flash or any other medium to stream live footage, it would be possible to overlay the film with the person's email and so on. Thus even if they managed to save the film, it would have there info on.

While nothing may be perfect, its a bit like stealing a car. If you have several cars to pick from, most will steal the easy car. And its the same with websites. Most pirates will not bother to deal with a site if its hard to get the films from.

One question I guess should be asked too is how many members these days watch the films direct to those who download to watch.

:1orglaugh

That's a better question because it's a pracitcal one. I would agree with you 100% if it was shown I made more money with streaming and not allowing downloads.

It's all about the ROI, cost, return, margins, effort, etc etc. But it's really all about how much MONEY I can make so if streaming only did that I would do it. LOL

It's 10 years too late.

Of course it is man don't believe other wise. This era should soon be changed for the better hopefully. Rainbow after the rain :P

Digital Playground doesn't allow download video, but anybody can get easily some program for download videos as "DownloadHelper"

Allow members to download videos is a good reason for $1 trial upgrades and helps with rebills too. Most people prefer to watch online anyway.

:thumbsup

i thought this is a thread from 2007