In addition to the podcasting class, I've been asked to work with the instructional librarian to update some tutorial videos we have posted to our web page. More technology immigration. Whew. The Luddite in me is having stress issues. I spent the morning learning to use our camcorder. I've never really used one. The goal for today was to create a video clip with the camcorder, then create another video clip using Camtasia software (for capturing computer screen videos) and see if I could edit them together in the Camtasia software and get a product. The ultimate goal being to learn to use Camtasia.
Well, it's lumpy but it's a video. PLEASE keep in mind this is a practice and NOT a product. And I learned some stuff, some of which confirms why I'm so uncomfortable with technology:
1) The .mpg files created by the Sony camcorder can't be read by the Camtasia software. I'm presuming some proprietary issues here. Theoretically, Camtasia can read .mpg files. But theoretically, computers were supposed to give us a paperless society by now.
2) Free file conversion software is iffy at best. I tried three different packages and either I could not intuit the operating instructions (no tech support for freeware) or the quality was very poor. The camcorder video of the library is lovely and smooth in the original version. My voice sounded like a zombie as the converted video jerked and dragged. Fortunately, part of updating our instructional videos includes adding recordings to the screen shots. So I got to practice that by voicing over the zombie in the converted camcorder clip.
Clearly, planning is everything. Planning the script so the screen action doesn't drag, planning commentary (or edits) in the places where the computer hangs up loading a new page, planning the camcorder motions and zooms. Right now, I'm planning to take a rest. Good thing it's a Friday.
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