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The basic steps for creating digital video look something like this:
1. Shoot the Video - you need equipment 2. Digitize the Video - you need a computer and software 3. Edit the Video - you need a computer and software 4. Encode/Compress the Video - you need a computer and software 5. Play the Video Somewhere - you need a computer and software
or put another way:
1. Get some equipment to shoot some video 2. Shoot some video 3. Transfer the video to a computer 4. Make the video watchable (edit it!) 5. Put the video somewhere people can watch it
Get Some Equipment
The number of devices that can used to shoot video is becoming more and more numerous. There's the obvious video camcorder, but you can add digital still cameras, webcams (some of which are built into laptops), and even cell phones.
Welcome to an Introduction to Digital Video. In this tutorial we are going to investigate what goes into creating digital video. We’ll first define what digital video is, then we’ll spell out the basic components and procedures for creating it. We'll also give you a run down of the equipment and software that is needed to create digital video.
Let’s begin by answering the question . . . What is Digital Video?
Digital video utilizes similar technology to digital audio, but adds a moving picture component. Often times digital video includes digital audio, but it doesn't have to. The popular form of consumer digital video comes on what are known as DVDs. Also, many popular and inexpensive camcorders are of the mini-DV format. For several years, computers have been utilizing digital video in the form of AVI files on Windows machines, and Quicktime files on the Macintosh. These formats rapidly change digital images, at up to 30 times per second, to give the illusion of motion. Is it better?
Like digital audio it's not necessarily better, just a different way of delivering video content. Again, since these are digital files, they will maintain their quality no matter how many times they are copied. Also, digital video files, once they are captured onto a computer hard drive, have the advantage of not being stored in a linear fashion, like videotape. This means you can almost instantly jump to a particular segment that you want to watch. On the videotape it might take several minutes to fast-forward or rewind to a particular segment. However, don't assume that just because it's digital, that it's better quality. What's the latest?
DVD is the latest way that Hollywood distributes their films to the home consumer. It is starting to replace VHS video tapes as the preferred way to watch movies at home, and for many reasons. Primarily, the picture and sound quality is better with DVD. As with any new technology it takes a while for consumers to buy into it, but eventually the prices come down, and people are ready to embrace new technology. Right now computer users can record their own DVDs and home users can record DVDs just like they did with their VCRs. Don't throw out your VCR just yet, because it is still more expensive to create your own DVD recordings.
Another relatively recent form of delivering digital video is via the Internet. Known as video streaming, you actually play a video by going to a web page and clicking a link to a video file. Depending on the speed of your connection to the Internet, you can potentially see some very high quality video. Some of the streaming formats that exist are Windows Media, Real Video, and Quicktime.
With the advent of camcorders that use digital tape, known as the mini-DV (digital video) format, the ease in which you can capture, edit, produce, and distribute digital video has become incredibly easy. You can use very simple programs to assemble your videos, or you can use a powerful editor such as Adobe Premiere. The tape is rapidly transferred to your computer via a special cable with one of these strange names - Firewire, i.Link, or IEEE1394. Then you edit what you have captured, save the results in a streaming (compressed) format, and you're ready to show your videos all over the world.
The basic steps for creating digital video look something like this:
1. Shoot the Video 2. Digitize the Video 3. Edit the Video 4. Compress the Video 5. Play the Video
In this tutorial, we're going to get right to playing some digital video. Besides you may only care about how to play digital video files and that's it (but please read the rest of our tutorial). We'll briefly talk about the different digital video file formats. In order to play digital video files you need the right player for whatever format you want to play. The Players
There are three popular players of digital video. Microsoft has it's Windows Media Player, Apple has QuickTime, and Real Networks has the Real Player. Playing the files from a web page can get a little tricky. We provide examples of the popular video file formats below. Most of the time, clicking on the link will download and play the file automatically. You may, however, be given the option to open, or save, the file. If you really want to keep it on your hard drive, choose save, otherwise choosing open should start it playing in the default player for your computer. Keep in mind that some of the files are quite large and will take several seconds to start playing, and that's with a fast connection. If the videos don't play, or you get a message that the file is an unrecognized type, you'll need to download one of the players. The Formats
AVI
The standard video file format for the PC is the AVI (Audio Video Interleaved) file. They are not good files to use in web pages because of their size (See the compressed formats, starting with MPEG1, below). In general AVI files are all the same, but they are created by different programs and can be created using a different CODEC. You may need to download a new CODEC to play a given AVI file. These videos can generally be played using any of the following programs: Windows Media Player, QuickTime Player, or the Real Player 8 or Real One Player. The file extension is .avi
Example - hello_small.avi, size: 3.62mb
The original file is available, but we warn you, it's LARGE. We recommend that you save the file to your computer and not play it directly. Right-click on the link below and choose "Save Target As..." (Internet Explorer) or "Save Link As..." (Netscape).
Original File - hello.avi, size: 16mb
MPEG1/MPEG2
There are many iterations of MPEG format video but the original was MPEG1. It is a compressed format and it is still a very popular format today. Compressed files are smaller, so they work well on the web (they take less time to download). These files are also used to create what are known as Video CDs - kind of a low resolution DVD. MPEG2 files are used in the creation of DVDs, and is the format used in Digital/Personal Video Recorders (DVR/PVR) such as Tivo and ReplayTV. MPEG2 files were not intended to be played directly on a computer. MPEG-1 files can be played using Windows Media Player, Real One Player, or QuickTime. The file extension is .mpg or .mpeg
Example - hello.mpg, size: 814kb
Real
There are other compressed video formats. The first one is known as Real video from Real.com. You need the either the Real Player 8 or Real One Player to play these files. The file extensions are .ra, .rm, or .ram
Example - hello.rm, size: 47kb
Windows Media
Another type of compressed video comes from Microsoft, the Windows Media Video format. Windows Media Player plays Windows Media Video files. Microsoft has just released their Media Player 9 Series. The file extension is .wmv . An older version of Windows Media Video has the .asf extension.
Example - hello.wmv, size: 162kb
QuickTime/MOV
Apple's QuickTime was the original Macintosh computer video format. It went head-to-head with the AVI format and overall was superior. Its popularity soared when it eventually went cross-platform (worked on PCs too). QuickTime 6 is the latest player and is used to play the MPEG4 video and audio (AAC audio). QuickTime movies have the .mov extension.
Example - hello.mov, size: 154kb
This section is the equivalent of the Record the Audio section of the Digital Audio Tutorial. However, unlike that section, which assumes that you will not record original material, this section assumes you will go out and shoot your own video which you will use to create digital video files. What to "Shoot" With
Many people own a camcorder, or video camera, that they can use to shoot video and record it to videotape. The kind of camcorder you have will make a big difference in how easy it will be to transfer the footage to a computer, edit the video, and finally compress the video to use on a web page, or send to a friend or relative via email.
Remember the Video format wars? Well to make a long story short, VHS beat out Beta for the consumer videotape market. Many people own VHS camcorders which are big bulky behemoths that you need to prop up on your shoulder to shoot video. Needless to say, in this day and age, bulky is passe. VHS-C, or compact VHS, makes for a smaller camcorder. The competitor to this format (a small format war) is 8mm and also is associated with smaller cameras. Add to this mix S-VHS, S-VHS-C, and Hi-8mm and you have the higher resolution versions of what are known as the analog video formats.
The most recent addition to the consumer camcorder market is the Mini-DV format, the DV standing for digital video. With the advent of the Mini-DV format comes the introduction of a new computer interface that allows the easy transfer of video footage to a computer hard drive. Analog video, doesn't transfer as easily. Also the resolution of Mini-DV is higher than that of any consumer analog format. With some Mini-DV camcorders under $400, it may be the time to switch if you haven't already. How to Shoot Video
OK. We're not really going to teach you how to shoot video here, but at least we'll give you a few pointers. We assume you have taken at least one still photograph in your life. You get the person or other subject in the frame and press the button. Well that's basically how shooting video works. You frame your subject and press record.
How you frame your subject, what your background is, how the audio is recorded, the quality of the lighting, and a myriad of other things, will make your video either spectacular or lousy. Here are a few tips:
Use the Rule of Thirds when framing your subject. Mentally divide the image you see in the viewfinder into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. Put your subject under one of the lines of intersection. Give the subject some room to move in the viewfinder.
Properly light the scene. This doesn't mean you need to go out and purchase a professional light kit. Understand that your camcorder adjusts for light, or lack of it, automatically. If you are shooting a subject that is standing in front of the sun, chances are that the subject will be a black shadow. Avoid bright backgrounds and also, at the other extreme, poorly lit areas.
Avoid using the zoom buttons (at least while recording). This doesn't mean don't use it, but try zooming before you hit record, then pause, zoom in or out, and record some more. Excessive zooming makes people nauseous (or is it nauseated). Also, using the extreme zoom settings magnifies the unsteadiness of a handheld camcorder. Use a tripod if at all possible.
Vary the shots that you take. Have a good game plan in mind of what should be in a shot and try to shoot the subject from different perspectives. Don't use the camcorder like a firefighter using a fire hose.
Remember you are recording audio too. Be aware of what noises are in the background. Our brains do a good job of blocking out background noise, camcorders sometimes don't. If you are shooting the history of George Washington with some actors, sounds of cars whizzing by in the background doesn't sound realistic. Also, use headphones to make sure that the audio is audible. You may need to use a separate microphone, either a lapel mic or a boom mic, that picks up the subject's voice better.
Those are just a few tips to help you with getting better source video. Now let's get the video onto the hard drive of the computer so we can edit it.
The whole reason to get into digital video is the relative ease in which you can manipulate the content. Part of the ease is being able to instantly access the different scenes in the video that you shot. When we say instantly, we are comparing it to traditional videotape where accessing a given scene involves fast-forwarding or rewinding to get to the specific spot on the tape. With the video stored on a computer as a digital file, you can access a given scene by clicking a spot on a timeline and boom, you're there.
The other advantage to having the video in a digital form is that the final product that you produce will not loose any quality from your original footage. Analog video editing is accomplished by taking scenes from the original footage and copying the scenes to another tape, thereby loosing a generation of quality. So let's get our video footage in a digital form, shall we.
As we mentioned in our Shoot the Video section, there are two forms of videotape. The analog form comes in the VHS and 8mm flavors and the digital form comes as Mini-DV. Analog video needs to go through a process called video capture. A card installed in the computer provides inputs for the video as well as the two audio channels (left and right). You basically plug your analog camcorder's (you can also use a VCR) output into the inputs provided by the video capture card in the computer. Run the capture software, press play on the camcorder or VCR, and press record on the software's interface. The video signals will then be recorded to the hard drive as a digital file. breakout box for analog video
A 'breakout box" from an analog capture card. Left to right is S-VHS, composite video, left audio, right audio. Top row is AV inputs, bottom row is AV outputs.
Mini-DV is easier to get into your computer and it's better quality. You need a card in your computer that will enable the transfer of the video from the mini-DV camcorder. It is commonly called Firewire, but that is actually a term that Apple coined for what is technically known as the IEEE1394 interface. Since everybody calls it Firewire anyway, don't get too caught up with what IEEE1394 is. It's just a high speed interface that allows the transfer of data from the digital camcorder. By the way, it is commonly referred to as digital video capture, borrowing the term from the analog procedure, but it actually is more of a transfer process. The digital transfer procedure is similar to the video capture of analog video. However, the transfer software usually allows the control of the camcorder. So you can press record in the software and the camcorder receives a signal to start playing automatically. Like analog video capture, the video signals get recorded to the hard drive. This process is entirely in a digital form, so there is a direct transfer of digital data. It's a very high quality route to go. Plus, mini-DV has a higher resolution than even S-VHS or Hi8 video. Mini-DV has about 500 lines of resolution versus about 400 for S-VHS and Hi8 (standard VHS has 240). More lines equals better picture quality. PC Firewire card
Firewire cable Firewire card in a PC.
Firewire cable. Left is to camcorder, right is to firewire card.
IMPORTANT - The following information may cause you to scrap the idea of doing digital video on your computer - Capturing analog video, or transferring digital video takes a lot of space on a computer hard drive. Digitizing video takes a couple hundred megabytes (MB) of storage PER MINUTE! That can be over 12 gigabytes (GB) of space for an hour long video, and that's before you start editing. You will probably need a minimum of a 20-40GB hard drive dedicated to the video you will capture/transfer. If you don't have this, don't plan on any major video editing projects.
If you're still with us, let's go to the editing room.
As we stated in the capture/transfer section, the whole reason to go digital with video is the ease in which we can manipulate the video. With our editing program, we can literally drag a section of the video footage from one area and drop it into another area and see the results instantly. I should say that we can at least preview it instantly. More on that later. We can also use the editing program to apply visual effects like different transitions between scenes, or color filters, or even add titles.
In our Digitize the Audio section we mentioned editing software in the expensive category, less expensive, and almost free. We'll do the same here. The premium video editing programs that are used today are Adobe Premiere on the PC and Final Cut Pro on the Macintosh. In the mid-range price point, Pinnacle's Studio is a top notch program. Pinnacle also makes both an analog as well as a digital (firewire) capture interface that includes the Studio software. On the free side Windows XP comes with a program called Movie Maker, and Macintosh computers come with iMovie. Both are basic editing programs, but iMovie has the big advantage of being the little brother of Final Cut Pro. Microsoft is trying to catch up and have recently released Movie Maker 2. Movie Maker timeline The Movie Maker 2 timeline
Using these editing programs is pretty straight forward. They all share a timeline metaphor. You drag video clips to the video track in the timeline. You can then add transitions and titles, as well as music in a separate audio track. The programs are very intuitive and you can be creating nice looking video in a short period of time. However, you should save some time to render the video. What is rendering? Well, all of the editing you are doing is kind of just a preview of the final project. You must sit back and let the computer create all of the frames of video including the transitions, titles, etc. This process is known as rendering.
Once your video is finished you can send it to colleagues, friends, or relatives. However, these videos can be quite large in their current format (usually AVI). What you need to do next is compress the video (make the file size smaller) and then either publish them to a web site or send them in an email.
Don't be too worried about the title of this section. Encoding is just a fancy term for changing a file's format, and in this case a compressed format. When you have finished editing your video, the editing programs allow you to save the video in a variety of formats. If you've got the equipment, you can create a videotape of the edited video. If you have a DVD recorder, you can create a DVD disk that can then be played in a home DVD player. Other ways to share your video creation includes making a smaller file and burning it to a CD-ROM (many people have CD burners these days), publishing it to a web site so that people can download it, or sending it as an attachment in an email.
When you compress video, in order to make the file smaller, you generally are taking something away. Either the size of the video on the computer screen gets smaller, or the quality of the video is lower, or both. We mentioned in the Capture/Transfer section that a minute of video can be a couple hundred megabytes (MB) in size. If you capture at what is known as DV quality, you will get a video file that is 720 pixels wide by 480 pixels high. If we make the size of the video smaller, say 320 by 240 pixels, that will result in a smaller size file on the hard drive. The compression of the video will make it smaller still. So that video file can go from over 200MB to under 4MB and will be of excellent quality for viewing on a computer screen. We can reduce the quality settings further and get an even smaller file, less than 1MB.
So what is this "Quality" setting anyway? How do we compress a file in the first place?
Well, first of all, most video editing programs have the ability to save in multiple formats, including Windows Media, QuickTime, and Real format. When you save the file in one of these formats, it will ask you to specify a level of quality, usually based on who the audience is. If you are distributing the file on a CD-ROM or internal network, you will likely use the highest quality setting. If you have published the file to a web site, and have someone using a high speed broadband connection to download the file, you might use a medium quality setting. If you have someone downloading the file using a 56K modem then the lower quality setting would be appropriate. The following images will give you an idea of how high quality will differ from medium and low quality. The fuzziness around the text is known as artifacting, and it gets more pronounced as you choose lower and lower quality settings. A representation of High Quality video compression A representation of Medium Quality video compression A representation of Low Quality video compression
Each of the video formats we discussed above has its own standalone compression program. You can take video that you have already captured (digitized), and encode it using one of these programs. Microsoft has a freely downloadable program called Windows Media Encoder, Apple has its QuickTime Pro for about $30, and Real has Helix Producer which is free. Each program will give you different options for encoding, or compressing, your video down to smaller files. The gold standard of encoding programs is Discreet's Cleaner, which turns compressing video into an art form.
Hopefully we have given you a good start to creating your own digital video with this tutorial. Feel free to contact Teaching and Learning Technologies if you have further questions.