Video Light -
Pros - more portable not as cumbersome as light stand and modifer, less obtrusive and noticeable
Cons - need an assistant

Flash with Umbrell/Softbox
Pros - "softer light," can stop motion
Cons - not as easy moving around, wind can create big problem

Am I missing anything?

I am thinking of using the video light for engagements and some creative night portraits during the wedding.

Bump...

I was up late last night. I am so tired right now.

Seriously, no one has anything to say about this?

Is it because not many people are using a video light??? Whats up, spill the beans people.

I use both. Video lights are probably easier to work with as you see the results as you are working but strobes have way more power. Video lights are also more of a point lightsource so the shadows created are harsh. In very dark situations video lights are great so you can focus easier and because the iris of people's eyes close down so you can see their color whereas flash in very low light results in big black pupils. Video lights are generally heavy (with the battery packs) and clumbersome, at least, if not more so than a flash on a stand.
Bottom line is they both have great qualities and drawbacks. My advice is to buy a cheap 1-3 million candle power spotlight from home depot and see if it would work for you and have fun!

Awesome, thanks Colin! Finally I got some love.

Colin, do you gel the video light to color balance?

In what situations do you use the video light over off camer flash, or vice versa?

If I am using a video light for a background or kicker and a flash as key I will sometimes gel the flash so the video light doesn't get too warm in the background. If I am using the video light as the key I will usually leave the flash bare so the background gets really cool.
And if I screw it all up I just go black and white!

Really, they are alot of fun to use together and you can get some really unique looks by blending different color temps. One of the beauties of digital is the ability to balance to whatever you want.

For this shot I used the headlights of two cars that had pretty neutral color lights and a strobe with no gel so it all kind of worked


In this one we used a flash with no gel for the key but then used a dying video lights on the other side to fill in with the crazy warm light and it helped me to focus as it was really dark! hehe, I forgot to edit out the moon at the top!

Aaron,

I know that Susan Baker uses a video light. I attended a wedding where her assistant trailed her like a puppy gently shining it on the subjects. I think it was a Frezzi with a dimmer. If I recall, it was not gelled.

I don't know if Susan is on OSP, but you could always e-mail her. If you look at her site, I would guess the fourth image in Portfolio vii was shot with that type of light. I can't link you directly to it thanks to Flash! Where's HTML when we need it?