I haven't been able to find any information about what one would charge for conversion of video from one codec to another, say from a Windows Media .wmv file to a Quicktime .mov, should someone request this. Or conversion of captured video to any of the formats offered by Final Cut Pro and Compressor. Uses being web distribution. How would the cost change between length, codec, video size, and compression? Is there any model for reference available?

I am a freelance videographer, and am trying to establish rates for my market, and I don't really see any of the local businesses offering this service.

Next week I'll go to a local post house (in Portland) to transfer HDCAM tapes. It doesn't matter what I do with them - save the compressed data, uncompressed, re-compressed - it's all at their standard rate of $190/hr. The issue for me is that I have the HDCAM tapes, but not the hardware.

I would think that it would be a similar thing for you. It doesn't matter what you're doing with the equipment, it just depends on how many hours the equipment is tied up.

You probably need to find the right niche - something that's popular enough to offer many clients, but unique enough that they don't already have the equipment. The unique part could be your ability to squeeze lots of video into very few bits.

The challenge is that the tools are so cheap these days that most people who know they need to code for the web already have tools for coding for the web. And if they have the cash for your service, they might rather buy the tools than rent your time.

Best of luck in finding the right niche at the right price.