13 Mar, 2009
We’ve been using Apple’s Podcast Producer to accommodate over 30 course sections per semester in creating a variety of podcasts which integrate into course curricula. Podcast Producer provides an easy-to-use, intuitive interface which allows the choice of screen-casting, video recording, audio recording, or file uploads. The user chooses a type, and begins recording with a click of the button. When finished, they click “publish” and presto, their work is finished.
The files is sent to Podcast Producer (which we currently run on an Xserve) where all of the processing, encoding, and publishing takes place. The podcast can be published to iTunes, blogs, YouTube, or any other file accessible system.
Our course podcasts are mainly published to iTunes U which is integrated with our Blackboard system. The podcasts can then be delivered to only the students enrolled in the class.
For our public productions, Podcast Producer adds bumpers, intros and outros, metadata including cover art, and publishes in multiple formats. Look for more posts in the future on podcasting with Podcast Producer.
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20 Sep, 2008
The Flip Video Ultra has been a big hit among faculty, staff, and students who have used it this semester. The video and sound quality are impressive for such a small, easy to operate, uncomplicated device. So far it has been used to record short student presentations, capture video of projects, and to video short student-related events. I promised to write a little something about using the Flip Video Ultra camera for video podcasting, so here’s a brief overview of what to do and what to keep in mind when using it.
Shooting:
- The camera runs on double AA batteries, and video recording uses a lot of power, so buy rechargeables and keep some handy.
- It can record 60 minutes of video clips before it is full (this is the Ultra series only, prior models only record for 30 minutes).
- The Flip software will put your videos into separate clips based on when you start and stop the camera, so use this to your advantage.
- To capture decent audio, make sure the camera is not too far away from speakers.
- Digital zoom can become pixelated, so it’s best to move closer to the subject rather than relying too much on this feature.
- A small, portable, 10″ tripod is available for the Flip for $29 to avoid shaking and moving, and it also can be mounted to almost any other larger tripod.
Editing and Compression:
Read the rest of this entry »
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22 Jul, 2008
Which type of podcast do you need to create for your course? Choosing the right format is important and dictates the way you go about creating your content and how much work is involved.
First considering the message and what is required to convey it effectively will assist you in choosing the best format and options.
Audio:
- Easiest format for the content producer (equipment: a mic and computer or portable recording device)
- Smaller file sizes, software editing tools (if needed) are available free (see Audacity)
- Most portable to the end user (can be played on many devices beyond a computer)
- Best suited for: lectures and any other message or discussion where visuals are not paramount to the message
- Equipment: Mircophone or Portable Recording Device, Computer
- Software Choices: Audacity, Garageband, Quicktime, iTunes
Video:
- More complex for content prodcuer (equipment requires a video camera or webcam, depending on recording locations)
- Very large file sizes, software editing tools range from free to very expensive (computer processing power and time required to process video also important)
- Less portable to end user (can be played on computer but may not play on certain portable devices)
- Best suited for: Messages when visuals of speakers or events are paramount to the message, or would greatly enhance message quality.
- Equipment: Flip Video or Other Camcorders, Webcams or Apple’s built in iSight Camera
- Software: Apple: iMovie, Final Cut. Windows: Windows Movie Maker, Avid
Screencasting:
- More complex for content producer (microphone and computer needed, must be done at computer)
- Large file sizes, software tools needed for capture and editing are not free and range from $50 to $400 depending on needs.
- Portability for end user depends on players (as in video example above)
- Best suited for: Tutorials and situations where content shown on the computer screen is central to the message.
- Equipment: Microphones and Computer
- Software: Windows: Camtasia. Apple: Snapz Pro or Screen Flow
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30 Mar, 2008
Do you need to capture video for your podcast? The Flip Video Ultra pocket video camera is a perfect solution for capturing video on a shoestring budget. There are no cables, no extra pieces, and no manual required; simply start and stop recording in a snap. Then, pop out the USB arm and connect to your computer. The camera comes with software installed that lets you name, edit, mix, and compress your video clips. Watch the short video on Amazon about just how easy this camera is to use.
This is a great solution for those needing to capture short clips in the classroom or on the go. The Flip is small and lightweight, has two double AA batteries, and records up to an hour of video. The software will compress your video files to just the right size for web delivery. I’ll be creating another post in the near future with some tutorials, but for now check out David Pogue’s recent review of The Flip in the NY Times. For an entertaining Pogue-esque spin on the joys and ease of using this nifty little video camera, see the video he created (using the Flip) too!
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15 Mar, 2008
Do you need to capture what is happening on your computer screen for your podcast? There are a few great tools that allow you to record your screen and your voice simultaneously, great for training videos and tutorials.
Screen Recording on a Mac:
Ambrosia Software’s SnapzProX 2 Movie Capture ($69) for Mac is a lightweight program which runs in the background and can be called up at any time to record what is going on on your screen, a particular window, or your whole desktop. All movies are recorded in QuickTime format (and can be compressed later using QuickTime Pro). There is a 15 day free demo for download on their website.
Vara Software’s Screenflow for Mac ($85 for education) is a brand new tool for screen recording that offers everything Snapz Pro does, but also has more features enabling you to edit your screencasts, zoom in on certain parts of the screen, highlight areas, dim areas, and add transitions, among other things. There is a demo available on their website.
Screen Recording on a PC:
Tech Smith’s Camtasia Studio ($299) for the PC is a powerful program that allows you to record any part of your screen and (and your voice) and to edit your recordings after you complete them. Camtasia exports to multiple file formats, including iPod video, QuickTime, flash, RealMedia and others. There is a 30 day free demo available on their website.
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11 Mar, 2008
Apple’s QuickTime Pro is $29 and allows to you to record audio and video, and also enables you to compress and export these and other media files to various web-ready and iPod-ready formats, and works on Macs or PCs (internal or external microphone and/or internal or external webcam needed for capture). QuickTime Player is free and required to upgrade to the Pro version. The Player comes on every Mac, and on a PC when you download iTunes. If for some reason you don’t have the Player on your computer, you can download it free.
Apple has some tutorials for QuickTime Pro posted on their website:
Mac:
Creating an audio podcast with Quicktime Pro
Creating a Video podcast with Quicktime Pro
PC:
Creating an audio podcast with Quicktime Pro
Creating a Video podcast with Quicktime Pro
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24 Jan, 2008
An enhanced podcast includes visuals. While a visual is not always necessary, if you do have a powerpoint lecture there are several ways to capture your lecture as you give it. This will create a video podcast of your voice with your slides. (You can also do this outside of class in a rehearsed manner as well).
Profcast and Keynote work on the Mac, and SnapKast and Camtasia work well on a PC. What equipment do you need to record a slide presentation? Just a microphone, computer, and your slides! If you need help, software, or tools, contact CAS Academic Technology.
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