Flash is definitely more universal, but the quality is not as good. I guess it depends on what you're striving for. I think high quality presentations and pictures overall will do more in selling a home (and impressing a seller) than a poor quality presentation that will appeal to a few more people. I'm not sure there's a right answer... just a judgment call.

Fortunately, thanks to the popularity of iTunes and iPods, Quicktime, which is the far superior method, is much more prevalent amongst Windows users.. .and of course, every Mac has it built in. A couple of years ago it was quite a different story.

I am joining this a little late, but this is my method. I use a company called Real Tour Vision. The company sells a complete package for about 2k. It includes everything to get started. I bought a more advanced camera and just purchased the software and such. The tours can be single photo up to 360. Any panorama's are taken with the camera on it's side.This way you are taking about 30 degree pictures of the room. To stitch, you just import the photo's and the software stitch's it together. I think it makes a pretty nice tour. Here is a sample of one I did. http://ts.rtvpix.com/tour.display.php?utl=RE-5641-G92GMX-01
The company is always adding new features. Now they can host video tours, agent comments and much more. The downside is the tours are purchased as "credits" in a bundle and spent as you post tours. They are hosted for a year, which is nice, and run $20.00 per credit. Not real expensive, but you have to buy a minimum of 30.Another thing to consider if you are posting the tour on the local MLS is that the tour must be IDX/MLS compliant. The company sends you multiple links of the tour that include links that are IDX/MLS compliant.
I looked at most options on the market before going this route. The biggest reason was the ability to compress the tour without losing resolution. The tour will start playing before the file is downloaded all the way. Check out the company website at www.realtourvision.com . I don't want anybody to think this is a ad for the company, so I will stop here.

Well, after several months, I've decided I honestly don't have time for the 360 tour. I have put my Kaidan 360 One VR lens on eBay beginning Monday the 20th of March (search under Kaidan 360) if anyone is interested. Used only 5 times! I just don't have the time right now to get involved with this....

I may be interested. How much are you going to list it for?

What do you mean you don't have time right now? Were you planning to run a virtual tour business?

It's starting at $500. PERFECT condition. (it's practically brand new). I was going to start a VT business on the side (I'm a web designer), but my business has picked up too much and I just don't have the time to deal with it right now. (I'm just one person!)

Nope... I think it's OK... Just did a 7 minute flash tour.... I like it! Personally, I think QuickTIme is infinitely better quality, and more and more people have QuickTime (thanks to iTunes)... but flash has a 98%+ penetration rate... and that's important to consider. Not as good quality... but it's doable I think....

http://www.rudymayer.com/featuredprop/MaxcyFisher/PhotosSept.html

Are you asking $500US for just the lens? or does is come with other items such as adapter, tripod, etc.?

I was starting the bid at $500 (paid $750 for it last December). It comes with software only. However, it appears it's already been sold... am just awaiting a check. If it doesn't happen I'll let you know....

Let me know if the deal falls through. I ordered one from Kaidan and it's on backorder. It's due to ship/be charged after the 1st of April.

Scott

Went out in the mail today.....!

RealEstateWebGuy -

Could you tell me how to "Mask a Link"?

Thanks -

Oops Sorry
I should have e-mailed you directly (off subject)
I apologize -

I use a 12 megapixel camera(Fuji S7000) and photostitch.

360 Tours are old technology and take away from the look of a home by distorting the views. Most people just want to sit back and watch a video of a home, be taken on a tour instead of having to click around in a small java window that crashes computers a lot.

Everyone is going to move to Flash because it's more compatible than any other video or java method. Custom video is the future. People like choice. They like to be able to choose their own music, choose what text is on the video, choose an opening animation theme and closing. Custom costs more, but not much. Professional voice overs are a nice touch for higher end homes. Never have an amature do a voice over, it always takes aways from the tour if you have yourself or someone not polished speaking during a tour. Custom Tours is the future and everyone is going to move to flash based video.

Flash + Custom video tours + Professional Voice Over = the future of Real Estate Virtual Tours. DVD's are added value to list all your current listings and solds. Not bad for a listing presentation.

http://www.closingvideos.com

Another thought. Video Tours are great, if you shoot good video.
You can go buy a 4k camera and still shoot terrible video tours. Make sure if you attempt this direction, you get trained on how to shoot video. If you say your self taught on shooting video, then you still don't shoot good video, you just think you do.

Go out and purchase a DVD on how to shoot video like the pros or something and it will help you shoot much better video. Right now when you shoot a video, your really just winging it. That's ok for a while but if you spend $ on gear, spend a little on training and your product will be a ton better.

This email is for information only for agents looking to shoot real video tours or others who are doing it now and wondering why no one is wanting to buy their videos services.

Anyone can shoot video, but shooting well is the key.