Saturday, September 11, 2010

Week 4 - YouTube downloads and IMovie

Please reference the Week4 folder for content regarding this week’s entry. Otherwise, the following handouts were provided in class and have been updated on the ‘resources’ entry from week 3.



  • Week 4 Introduction and content (This includes the IMovie content)


  • Acceptable Quicktime Formats (file types that Quicktime will open)


  • A Bunch of Research Links that are worthy of a look.




  • Click on image (left) to view larger
    *note - not a consideration of user 'bitrate'?  Why?
    Part 1 - Downloading the .flv movie and converting to a .mov for editing in IMovie
    We successfully accessed a file transfer protocol (FTP) download from YouTube using “YouTube Video Grabber”, which is called a ‘transcoding software’.
    The purpose of ‘transcoding’ (software) allows the user:

    1) to alter the file type for compatibility with other types of software or even operating systems such as PC vs. Mac.  We altered an .flv download from YouTube to a .mov for use in IMovie.

    2) to resize the digital image or video file resulting in a ‘lossy’ process reduces file size.
    This process benefits user storage, thereby upload and download speeds, and the potential of usability is improved.

    In the process of converting the .flv (which is standard encoding for YouTube video uploads) we were able to discuss:

    Ratios – included HD (High definition/widescreen) format 16:9 and SD (standard television) format 4:3.

    *Note: for the ‘trailers’ we utilized the transcoding software to render it in a format ratio that retained its ‘widescreen’ (HD) origins (eg. 391 x 220).

    Conversion – to .mov for editing in IMovie. Video files that are able to be brought into IMovie include 1) .avi (a video compression format when using a recording device such as a digital still camera/video option or current camcorders that operate ‘tapeless’.
    2) .mov (Quicktime) format which I alluded to as the .jpg of video.

    Questions were posed of other format options which I will defer to the list of Quicktime video and audio files under Acceptable Quicktime Formats">Week4/Media formats…’

    Part 2 – Editing in IMovie / (see notes from class for goals): Intro to Week 4 handout

    3 comments:

    1. Week 4 was my first experience with IMovie and I felt like the program was very easy to use and navigate. I need a lot more time to explore all the features but it seems like a very usable program for my needs of editing.

      I would like to figure out how to create chapter cuts with thumbnails. Having chapters is nice but to pair them with actual pictures would be greatly beneficial. One step further would be to make the thumbnails play a five second loop to give the viewer an idea where they are at in the video.

      Look forward to more exploration!

      Connor

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    2. Connor,

      I hope our conversation after class, helped, both for the .png to .jpg conversions (for thumbnails or frame grabs). Try and remind me in class on Wednesday - to see what you've come up with.
      Quicktime X allows for you to take a frame grab (a still) that actually generates as a .mov (of a single frame where ever you 'pause' your video. It's called a 'poster movie' if you want to 'Google' it.

      But, basically 1) you open the movie in Quicktime 2) get to your preferred frame for 3) Copy (or Cmnd+C) to 4) Create 'N'ew movie and 5) Paste (Cmnd+V) and then 6) 'S'ave as a .mov (single frame) which can be used as a 7) 'img src=image.mov' link.

      I know this sounds 'kooky' but it works. Try it (anyone?) and let me know if it works in the HTML.

      Check out this link: http://jeffcarlson.typepad.com/imovievqs/ (You'll go nuts on this site for multimedia content and editing.)

      ReplyDelete
    3. . . . Seriously, you'll go nuts. Look for a quick review of class (week 5) and further review of week 5 to follow by Saturday. So, be sure to check back and 'comment' on anything.
      . . . How's the week going, Sharon????

      ReplyDelete