Digital Media
Building a Video Podcast on the PC
In this tutorial, we will show you how to create a video podcast using a PC with the Windows operating system, free or cheap software, and an inexpensive digital video camera. To learn more about the various types of podcasting software that are currently available, check out our Resource page.Technology Requirements
All of the below items may be available for sale at the UC Computer Store or on loan from ITC –call 974-9670 to learn more.
- A PC running Windows XP. Note: the tutorial process should be similar on Vista, but it has not been tested.
- Video capture hardware – such as an IEEE 1394 card
- Windows Movie Maker software – available for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (download here)
- A digital video camera – this tutorial uses the Canon ZR500
- A “firewire”(IEEE 1394) cable to connect the camera to the PC
- Video conversion software - this tutorial uses Jodix (free; download here) or QuickTime Pro ($30)
Building a Video Podcast in Windows Movie Maker
The steps for building an enhanced podcast are very similar
to the steps for a video podcast. The only real difference
is that you'll be creating a project based on still
images rather than video. This means you can import images from your digital
camera, download them from the web, or capture single frames from video footage.
The first step is an obvious one -- capture footage
with your digital camera! Then, log in to your account on
the PC and open Windows Movie Maker. Connect the camera to
your computer with the firewire cable and set the camera to “Play.”
Once the camera has been connected and set to “Play,” the
Video Capture Wizard should launch automatically. If not,
click the link to “Capture from video device” located
in the left-hand menu in Windows Movie Maker. The Wizard makes
video transfer a simple process—just follow the steps
as they are presented.
When you reach the “Video Setting options” page,
leave the default option selected. This should be “Best
quality for playback on my computer (recommended).” Then,
select “Next". You have the option to capture
the contents of the entire videotape or you may manually select
partial footage. Be sure to deselect “Show preview during
capture,” as this may negatively affect the quality
of the captured video.
When the capture has finished, you’ll see your collection
of captured clips.
To make your movie, simply drag clips to the video timeline
at the bottom of the screen.
View footage in the Preview pane by pressing the play buttons
located either directly beneath the Preview pane or directly
above the timeline pane.
To trim clips, drag the playback indicator to the point where you want to trim the clip (or use the playback controls to reach this point). Go to the Clip menu and select Set Start Trim Point. Navigate or drag to the end of the area you want to trim. In the Clip menu, select Set End Trim Point. You can also look for red trim handles as you float the mouse near the ends of a selected clip. When you see the handles, drag back toward the other end of the clip. When you release the mouse, only the blue selected area will remain.
To split clips, drag the playback indicator to the point where you want to split the clip (or use the playback controls to reach this point). Go to Clip > Split.
If you have additional audio files to add, such as commentary that you've recorded separately, you’ll
have to create the audio layer of your project by dragging
clips to the audio / music timeline as well. Be sure to synchronize
them properly with your video! Test the results by using the
play buttons to move through your footage.
To create still images from your video footage, click the
small camera icon beneath the preview pane when the desired
image appears in the pane.
The still image will automatically be added to your collection
of clips. Drag it to the timeline to insert it in your
project. To extend or decrease the duration of the still image, drag the end of the clip to the desired length.
Adding Titles and Credits
Enter title and credit information into your project by going to Tools > Titles and Credits. Follow the directions. Be sure to re-sync your audio and video if you insert titles or credits into your project!You may also choose to incorporate a title overlay into your final project—this places the title or credits over the images in your video.
Importing Audio and / or Music
Under “Capture Video,” select the link to “Import audio or music.” Browse to find the desired file(s), select them, and click “Import.” The file(s) will be added to your collection of clips and images. To add them to the project, drag and drop them onto the audio timeline and edit by clicking and dragging the edges of the clip.
Importing Pictures
The process for importing pictures is the same as that for importing audio and music. Under "Capture Video," select "Import Pictures." Find the file, import, and drag to the timeline.Saving Your Project
Saving the project saves the workspace for continued editing at a later time. This is recommended both during creation of the project and when the project is finalized. This is the file you will come back to if you want to edit clips, add audio, change effects, and so on.Saving Your Movie
This exports a file for viewing. The exported file is a final
product and cannot be edited. This step must be completed
before the file can be converted for viewing on an iPod or
other mp4 or m4v player. Go to File > Save Move File.
For Movie Location, choose My computer.
When saving the movie, in Movie Setting, be sure to select “Show more choices,” then "Other settings." Choose “DV-AVI (NTSC)” format.
This is the file format that can be most easily converted
for viewing on a handheld video player, laptop, and so on. You will see a long list of other options, but you'll be compressing in a separate, more efficient program, so you can bypass these.
Under "Setting details", note that DV-AVI (NTSC) format has dimensions of 720x480 pixels (a medium/large size; better for broadband) and an estimated file size of several hundred megabytes (MB) or even a few gigabytes (GB). This is a huge file size, but remember that you'll be doing the real compression in the conversion software.
Converting Your Movie File
Your movie still is not in the correct format for viewing on an iPod or other handheld video player. You will need to run the .avi file through a converter to put it in the proper format (either .m4v or .mp4).To convert your movie file, open it using video conversion software. A free converter from Jodix is available through the Snapfiles site (“Free iPod Video Converter”). You may also use proprietary software such as Quicktime Pro ($30) to perform the required conversion.
If you’re using “Free iPod Video Converter,” just follow the instructions, which are designed to be simple and intuitive. You will have the option to compress at 320x240 (a small to medium size; better for dial-up and wireless connections) or 720x480 (the size you set when exporting from Media Maker; better for broadband). Drag the video and audio quality sliders to a notch between mid-range and Highest. When you’re finished, the converted file will be in .mp4 format.
If you’re using Quicktime Pro, open the program. Go to File > Open File and find the .avi file that you created in Windows Movie Maker. Go to File > Export. For medium to large files that will play well on a laptop with a broadband or DSL connection, select Movie to MPEG-4 (Note: this file will also play on an iPod, although it will be a larger file size than necessary.) Alternately, you can export your file at a very small size for primary use on iPods and other handheld players. For this option, select Movie to iPod. You can always export more than once to create multiple file sizes, but if most of your audience will be watching the files on laptops (or if they have recent-generation handheld players with plenty of storage) this isn't generally necessary.
With various compression software, you may see quite a few export options, and you may be interested in testing quality levels and pixel dimensions to achieve the ideal blend of quality and file size for your planned use of the file. As long as you end up with an .mp4 or an .m4v (or, if no extension is shown, the file type is "MPEG-4 Movie"), you will be able to play the file on an iPod, in Quicktime, or in iTunes.
Posting to the Web
Now you’re ready to place your files online for public or student viewing. You have two main options:- Volcasting@UT
Visit Volcasting@UT. If you don't have an instructor account, choose Request Volcasting Course and follow the instructions. When you receive a confirmation email (within the next day or so), go to Upload your Podcast. You will be asked to enter information about the podcast. To attach the file, navigate to the file you placed on your desktop and select it. The file appears, with description and RSS feed, under View Courses.
Volcasting@UT can be viewed by the public. UT instructors and their students can upload to the site.
- Blackboard (Online@UT)
Post your file to the web. You can upload it to Volcasting@UT, UT's Digital Media Services, or your own site or blog. When done, make a note of the URL.
Log in to Online@UT, choose your course, and navigate to a Content Area. In Edit View, click Add External Link. Give your file a short but descriptive name and add the URL. Under Text, add any necessary details.
Your podcast is online!