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  • 1. QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. Nut and Bolts of Digital Video: Introduction: There has been a bold and wonderful explosion in digital video applications for the classroom. Finally taking advantage of powerful computer processing, videomaking and wild special effects now sit on every new machine. With the click of a mouse, videos now integrate neatly into old familiar friends like word processing and presentation software (yes, even PowerPoint). And, of course, moving computer projects onto VHS videotape to send home or show in the auditorium is still compelling—and simple with the right connections. Making connections is what this handout is all about. The tradeoff for the vast new potential for student work is a lot of new ports in the back of your computer and some new adapters you might have to buy. The fundamentals of digital video are not that complicated. Going digital has made things simpler, believe it or not. This handout will walk you through the nuts and bolts necessary to integrate videos, VCRs, audio, and computers. It is not about nonlinear video editing programs such as iMovie or MovieMaker, although the workshops covers these programs. It is about getting video into and out of programs such as multimedia, web page builders, and word processing. There are seven parts after this introduction: 1. Getting video in: Older machines do it, too 2. Getting video in: Newer machines and true digital video 3. Getting video out of your computer and onto tape 4. Adding music 5. Setting up a workstation for video 6. Visual parts glossary 7. Software and hardware resource list Video In on Older Machines: Video has been moving into computers since the Apple II (HyperStudio was great at this.) Video was generally moved in through one of three ports. These ports differ in speed. One choice was to use either the printer or modem port. The disadvantage of these ports is that they only work with dedicated devices and have a liability in terms of transfer speed. A better way to import analog video (sometimes called “video QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. capture”) was through video in, via an RCA jack. These ports can handle live video from a camcorder, recorded images (including movies) from a VCR, video from laser disc player, television Video Audio channels from a VCR’s tuner and In In generally anything that outputs through an RCA cable. RCA inputs were standard on older, true A/V computers. Check the back to see if your computer has RCA inputs like those in the illustration below. Your old computer may also be equipped with a video input card (sometimes called a Note: Generally, video cards will video capture card). For most computers, Mac and Windows, have two audio input jacks for stereo these run around $100. On desktop computer, they fit into a applications. The illustration shows slot on the motherboard. For laptop computers, they one audio input for simplicity. generally fit into the PCMCIA slot. The third and best way to get video into older machine was through SVideo connections. Some older computers can be upgrade with firewire or USB cards, but the small size of their drives and their inability to run the great new editing programs leaves them wanting. But they still work! For multimedia and web-based video, their liabilities are not so great. You might keep them around as a workstation for those applications. Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 hall@cccd.edu
  • 2. Video In on Newer Machines: True Digital Video Computers now have the ability to take in true digital video. Digital video is great because there is no generation loss in editing or copyright projects, meaning that you can import, export, and repurpose videos without things getting grainy. There are two ways video gets into off the shelf computers. The first is through the USB (Universal Serial Bus) port. Web cams, microscopes, and some Windows XP video applications look for video signals in the USB port. While this port does work, the better way to go is with the superior IEEE 1394 connections. Firewire is the Apple- licensed term for this connection that is becoming generic. Sony calls their connection iLink. Not only is firewire much faster, it is the format that most digital camcorders come equipped with. Connecting a digital video camera to a computer makes true digital editing possible and is a serious breakthrough in quality, speed, and flexibility. With either connection, you must have software that recognizes it as a source for video. Scalar microscope software doesn’t “see” firewire—only USB. And neither iMovie nor many Windows editing programs will find USB video. IEEE “firewire” 4 pin USB “A” (computer) (goes into a camcorder) USB “B” (device) I EEE “firewire” 6 pin (the usual computer connection) Sidebar: Video from broadcast television or cable can be brought directly in through a tuner card or external device that connects to the computer via USB or firewire. You simply connect an antenna or cable TV cable to the card or device and pull programs into your computer -- or to watch television on your computer monitor. In a pinch, connect your digital camcorder to a VCR and record TV programs through the RCA (analog) outputs. Then go from your camcorder to your computer. Note: Your digital video camcorder must have inputs to do it. Sidebar: Digital stills into video. Images from digital (still) cameras can be incorporated into videomaking or multimedia application. They can be a great addition to projects. First, pull the digital photographs onto the hard QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. drive using the software that came with the cameras. Then use your videomaking or multimedia software to find and incorporate the stills. Some software programs now automatically will generate a “movie” from the stills. These can be exported as QuickTime movies and then be pulled into multimedia or video---if your software has that ability (e.g., iMovie 3). Sidebar: Digitizing video from old VHS, Betamax, etc., tapes. Don’t despair-- -older tapes can be digitized and used in projects. There are devices (generally less than $300) that have RCA (analog) inputs and USB or firewire (digital) outputs. Simply connect this device between your VCR and computer. A cheaper solution is to connect that VCR directly to a digital camcorder with inputs (e.g., Canon) and record onto digital tape. Then play it back into the computer. Note: Your digital video camcorder must have inputs to do it. Buy wisely! Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 hall@cccd.edu
  • 3. The input instructions from the Canon manual. The “input” diagram is for the VCR. Note that the same “hole” on the camcorder serves as both input and output. The input feature is an important one! Illustrated Summary of “Video In” Connections RF (“radio RCA jack - S-Video IEEE 1394 USB video frequency”) video output “Firewire” barely acceptable better best (analog) digital (less loss) digital - best Note: Images from this page came from a variety of sources. Many were generated by the author but some came from publicly distributed pages on the Internet, including www.howstuffworks.com; http://www.pc-card.com; http://www.newnex.com, and http://www.showmecables.com. The latter sites sell these cables (no endorsement implied, but a nod for the images). Video Out from the Computer: “Print” to Tape Multimedia projects can and should include videos of or by students, animated sequences, film clips, and more. However, video takes up stupendous amounts of hard drive Printing space. Additionally, multimedia projects often don’t convert well to paper to archive or share student work. The to Video answer is to “print” on videotape. If you want music or narration for your PowerPoint (for example) presentation, it can be added when you print to tape (see below). Converting a computer project to VHS tape lets you send the projects home, show them at Open House, share them with educators, and submit them to media festivals. There are three ways to do it. 1. If you have a computer with video outputs (S-video or RCAs), you can connect your computer directly to a VCR and simply start recording. Macs and “multimedia” PCs generally have these outputs. 2. If you don’t have video outputs but you do have an output for a computer monitor, as virtually all computers do, you can buy a scan converter ($100 - $300). This intercepts the monitor output from the Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 hall@cccd.edu
  • 4. computer and converts it to a video signal that can be recorded on a standard VCR (see below). 3. If you are outputting a digital video project from iMovie, Pinnacle, Ulead, or other nonlinear editor, simply output to your digital camcorder via firewire or USB. You take it out the same way you put it in. Outputting to tape will be one of the menu options in the program. Once you have it on tape in your digital camcorder, you move it out from your camcorder to a regular VCR and standard old VHS tape (see below). Virtually all digital camcorders will output to older VCRs in this way. The output instructions from the Canon manual. The “input” diagram is for the VCR. Note the same “hole” on the camcorder serves as both input and output. The input feature is important! Video Out: From The Computer: If you want to export video from an editing program such as iMovie or Pinnacle, you can export directly from the application. But taking video directly out from the computer is still very useful to create training tapes (how to use Word, etc.) or exporting projects in PowerPoint, KidPix, etc., directly to tape for sharing with home or other classes. If your computer doesn’t have a built-in video out port, you will need to buy, borrow, or lease a scan converter ($100-$300) To get video out, connect the scan converter to your computer. Remember: If you have video out built in to your computer, you can skip this part!) More detailed instructions and pictures at http://libraryweb.slcc.edu/libraryweb/media/tvator.html. 1. Disconnect your computer monitor and connect the scan converter to the now vacant monitor port. Reconnect your monitor to the scan converter. If you have a built-in monitor and an external monitor connector, skip to the next step. back to monitor from computer (some models) monitor (VGA) video out scan converter back of computer 2. Connect the scan converter to the extra “monitor out” port on the computer (the same place you would connect a data projector). This is the usual method with laptops. Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 hall@cccd.edu
  • 5. 3. If you have a truly old computer or a “special” monitor-less design, you have to add a connection inside the computer. Try Power R (1-800-729-6970). Getting the Video into the VCR Once you have video going out from your computer, it is a matter of getting the video in to a VCR. This is not technically difficult, but there are enough little details that completing this connection is the most common question I get from teachers the midnight before a project deadline. Step by step, here’s how to do it. 1. Connect the computer and scan converter (see above). Start with the video out RCA jack on the scan converter. Connect it to the RCA video in jack on the VCR with an RCA male to RCA male cord). 2. Set the VCR to input or auxiliary or line or whatever designation the manufacturer uses to turn the VCR’s attention to the jacks in the back. Use the input switch, commonly on the remote but sometimes on the VCR. Occasionally, the channel up/down button will lock into the line function. If you see a channel number on the VCR (e.g., “3”), your VCR is not tuned into the jacks in the back. 4. Set the tape speed to SP (the “two hour” speed). Set the VCR/TV switch to VCR. You should see your computer on the television set connected to your VCR (not a bad trick in itself). 5. Hit record on the VCR. Anything you do on the computer will now be recorded on videotape to share, archive, send home, or show to teachers or students. Tips on Changing tape speed on the remote on the VCR SP EP TapeSpeed (press) An Important Element: Adding Sound If you wish to include the sounds from the computer on the tape, also connect the headphone output jack to the audio in jack on the VCR (the computer speaker jacks may be a little too noisy). The computer speakers (or headphones) are probably stereo. If the VCR is not stereo, just connect to the single audio in jack. The connector cable will look like this. If you can’t get the identical cable, use adaptors to make one. stereo mini plug RCA male plugs from computer headphone jack to VCR audio in (stereo shown) If you want to add narration instead of the sound from the computer, connect a microphone to audio in on the VCR. The microphone by itself won’t be strong enough to be heard. You will need to add either a mixer or a mini-amplifier (as shown below). Students will be able to narrate as they watch the output from the computer on the television (turn the volume down or you may get feedback). When you record on the VCR, it will record the computer as video and the microphone as audio. Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 hall@cccd.edu
  • 6. There are serious advantages to buying a mixer. They are available for less than $50, and they enable students to mix music with their narration, a powerful addition to any project. You may mix narration, computer sounds, and music (or other audio sources) for your soundtrack. They can be very effective. Connect the microphone, computer speakers/headphone, and music source (a CD in the example) to the mixer inputs. Then connect the mixer output to the VCR. The computer-generated projects will then have a wonderful and rich sound track on the videotape you have made. Note: You may have to search online to find one. scan converter microphone2 or speaker ‘output’ video out from computer mini amplifier 1 or sound mixer3 (mixer has multiple inputs) IN OUT VCR video audio video audio out to TV 1. Radio Shack part# 277-1008C (around $11) 2. Radio Shack #331060 ($24) 3. Radio Shack, ET AL ($25-$50) The part numbers change often, but the sales folk will get the general idea. Adding a Mixer to the Mix A mixer will enable you to add music underneath narration. It also allows sound, music, sound effects, and computer sounds to be combined. The VCR has one set of input jacks, so to mix sound you need a device with many inputs. By connecting the output from the mixed to the inputs on the VCR, you are able to add more audio effects and more audio impact that you would otherwise be able to do. An added bonus to having a mixer is that you can also add the mixed audio output from the mixer into the computer-- via the microphone input-- if you want to bring richer audio to computer inputs and/or narration into computer projects. Programs (and computers) that allow students to record their own voices will never be the same. Use a stereo RCA to stereo mini cord to connect the mixer to the computer. Some computers may connect via the USB port. You will need an adapter. Computer (microphone Mixer input) or USB adapter (audio out) Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 hall@cccd.edu
  • 7. The Mixer The elements of a creating a rich audio track for video or multimedia projects are diagrammed below. More information is at halldavidson.net. The connections below are not to scale. fromCD headphones microphone or line outnot speaker) ( from computer headphones Example shown as stereo; mono will work fine. in The Mixer out out to VCR: (Audio In) may also go out to the computer microphone input (use a RCA-to-mini cord More Options: Changing Sound Tracks Another thing a mixer makes possible is the ability to add a second track, or ‘voice-over’ to an existing tape. Students could write and add a new sound (and new script) to a movie or documentary. Everything from dubbed movies to new versions of classic plays is now possible. Cartoons, Shakespeare, or other programs engaging to students can now be transformed into student work. Do this by connecting two VCRs and the mixer as illustrated below. Put the blank tape in VCR and the original in VCR 2. Camcorder video out Or Out VCR 2 Video Audio mixer audio in VCR video in out to TV Workstations: Setting up at least one workstation where students can bring video in and out from the computer creates a whole new dimension for both making and distributing student work. For school, the web, and the home, the implications are great. Through video, authentic student work can be incorporated into many kinds of technology. Similarly, work can be shared at home and other educational settings. An ideal video workstation would include: a computer with video in and out, a VCR, a sound source (like a CD player), a microphone, and a mixer. A Cable and Connector Visual Glossary A closer look In from Antenna Video Video Audio Audio at the back of a Out In In Out VCR. Out to TV RF female RCA female connectors Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 hall@cccd.edu power (coaxial cable) cord
  • 8. USB “Universal Serial Bus” offers USB “A” connects to transfers rates of up to 12 megabytes per the computer second, more than 50 times old serial ports (and 12,000 times bus ports. Keyboards, video, and more can be moved through USB connections. USB “B” connects to the peripheral IEEE “firewire” a/v 4 pin (typically goes into an IEEE 1394 is known by many names, commonly by appropriately equipped IEEE or Firewire (an Apple trademark). IEEE 1394 camcorder) is fast--at 400 Mbps it has 30 times more bandwidth than USB. There is also a new faster firewire standard being released. It is also hot I EEE “firewire” 6 pin (the plugable and supports up to 63 devices and cable usual computer connection) lengths up to 14 feet. laptop adapter card Video and Audio Out connector from a typical digital camcorder. It allows a digital camcorder for firewire to connect to a “regular” VCR for copies 3.5mm angled plug to 3 or viewing. RCA plugs 2.0m New storage devices using IEEE and USB are cheaper, faster and bigger. A 350 gigabytes drive can be as inexpensive as $399, cheap per gigabyte compared to a Zip or Jaz drive and cartridges. for examples: www.promax.com. A Cable and Connector Visual S-Video output on computer Glossary continued or VCR PLUGS The term for male connectors. JACKS The term for female connectors. RCA connectors. At Radio Shack they call these quot;phonoquot; connectors. They are used for VCR video audio in and out; old Apple II monitors; laser disc QuickTime™ and a GIF decompressor are needed to see this picture. outputs. They were used on old hi-fi's as speaker outputs (avoid connecting your equipment to these RCA male RCA female plugs, RCA male RCA female since they are too quot;hotquot; (amplified). Mini-plugs. Also called quot;1/8quot; or quot;3.5 mm.quot; These are used for headphone s in cassette players, CD players, audio inputs on most computers, speaker outputs on most computers; microphone jacks on camcorders. QuickTime™ and a Photo - JPEG decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a Photo - JPEG decompressor are needed to see this picture. Inexpensive mono mini-plug stereo mini-plug mono mini-plug stereo mini-plug Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 hall@cccd.edu
  • 9. microphones use these connections (and many are very good). BNC. This is a more professional video output. The female is barrel-shaped. It is good to have a BNC-to- QuickTime™ and a GIF decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a GIF decompressor are needed to see this picture. BNC male BNC female RCA adapter in your pocket. You never know when a VCR will have BNC jack BNC male BNC female instead of an RCA. By many names, RF, quot;Fquot; connector, or coaxial cable this connector lives behind your VCR and connects it to quot;Fquot; connector female to male your television. Usually you find the cables in a variety of lengths with “F” connector female to male male connectors on both ends. Be careful not to bend the little pin in the middle. Phone plugs or 1/4quot; plugs were the former connector of choice for headphones. You still find them 1/4quot; (or phono) occasionally on mixing boards or other equipment. Have adapters handy to convert this old plug. Only Radio Shack resists calling them quot;phonoquot; 1/4” (or phono) plugs. Adapters. You can get anything connected to anything. Radio Shack is a good place to begin. Electronics store in bricks (stores) or clicks (online) will everything else. RCA to mini adapter. You can QuickTime™ and a Photo - JPEG decompressor are needed to see this picture. convert audio to stereo, vice versa, and nearly everything else. Shown is the absolutely essential RCA to mini adapter quot;RCA-miniquot; adapter. Cables. The most readily available cables are RCA QuickTime™ and a Photo - JPEG decompressor are needed to see this picture. cables: RCA to -RCA male to RCA male. You can get them in a variety of colors at Radio Shack--very useful in the classroom. Have adapters handy to convert the cables: RCA to -RCA cables to mini males. 8mm vs VHS-C. VHS-C cassettes will fit into regular VCRs (with an adapter). 8mm cassettes will not. Note: some images from radioshack.com, securityideas.com, and www.amabilidade2002.com Bonus Section: Integrating Video Clips Downloaded from the Web There are an increasingly large number of video resources accessible through the Internet. With the right browser configuration and software support, these video resources can be pulled down from the web into a student’s hard drive where they can be incorporated into multimedia projects. Actual video clips of President Bush (both of them) speaking on specific issues, and scientists like Robert Oppenheimer, authors like John Gresham, Maya Angelou can add great weight and insight into student projects on appropriate topics. To have access to these clips, you need the following: The right browser. Netscape and Explorer both work, but sometimes versions will foil you. (Netscape 6 seems to be a problem, for example). Switch if it won't work with your current browser. The right video playing software. QuickTime Pro (Mac or PC, $29 apple.com) is great for this. On some sites, Windows Media Player 7 (Mac or PC, microsoft.com, free) will do the job. Get both. QuickTime Pro is seriously worth the money. Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 hall@cccd.edu
  • 10. The right video format on the site you're visiting. Straight streaming can't be captured (without some secret and very suppressed software). However, many times people posting video clips of exemplary people, movie trailers, etc., enable their clips for downloading. Note: These clips are wonderful in HyperStudio, PowerPoint, etc., but they won't fit neatly into digital editing programs such as iMovie or IntroDV. They can be squeezed into such projects, but they show the strain. Here is how to do it. First, in QuickTime Pro. 1. Navigate to a site that offers video resources (such as achievement.org, below) QuickTime™ and a Photo - JPEG decompressor are needed to see this picture. 2. Find where to launch the video. Click on the link. 3. After the clip has downloaded (the grey bar is completely filled), hold down the mouse (right click in Windows). Select “SaveAs QuickTime Movie”. Select the folder where you want it stored and there it will be for your future use. Create a new folder for your clips. Otherwise they might get lost. Note, this works with movies streamed to the web as QuickTime. And it only works with QuickTime Pro ($29), not the free player. In Windows Media Player, the operation is similar. 1. Navigate to a site that streams in Media Player such as www.unitedstreaming.com (for which you’ll have to get a guest password). 2. Click “Streaming Options”. A box will open. 3. Set the option for “Download Link”. The clip will now download into your hard drive, just as if it were a VCR! Important cool note: Once you have a video, why not import it into iMovie (Mac) or Pinnacle Studio 8 (Windows) and have Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 hall@cccd.edu
  • 11. students add their own, new sound track. Erase the old one. Talk about authentic learning! No passive listening here! On to Multimedia! Now in HyperStudio, PowerPoint, ET. Al., you will have a bigger video library to choose from. Follow the directions in the software and your student projects will have video and sound from experts in the field, NASA, JPL, relevant TV commercials (adcritic.com) and more. Video takes up space, so remember to pick up an external hard drive to hold them all---- or plan on burning some midnight CDs. Example: In HyperStudio (1) from “Objects” in the menu bar, select “Add A Button”. (2) Once the button is placed, select the action “Play a movie or video...” (3) Navigate to the folder where your movie is stored. It will now be a resource, like clip art, you can bring in whenever needed. Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 hall@cccd.edu