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Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 [email protected]

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Nut and Bolts of Digital Video: Introduction: There has been abold and wonderful explosion in digital video applications for the classroom. Finally takingadvantage of powerful computer processing, videomaking and wild special effects now sit onevery new machine. With the click of a mouse, videos now integrate neatly into old familiarfriends 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 stillcompelling—and simple with the right connections. Making connections is what this handoutis all about. The tradeoff for the vast new potential for student work is a lot of new ports in theback of your computer and some new adapters you might have to buy. The fundamentals ofdigital 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 orMovieMaker, although the workshops covers these programs. It is about getting video into andout 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, too2. Getting video in: Newer machines and true digital video3. Getting video out of your computer and onto tape4. Adding music5. Setting up a workstation for video6. Visual parts glossary7. Software and hardware resource list

Video In on Older Machines: Video has been moving into computers since theApple 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 eitherthe printer or modem port. The disadvantage of these ports isthat they only work with dedicated devices and have a liabilityin terms of transfer speed.

A better way to import analog video (sometimes called “videocapture”) was through video in, via an RCA jack. These portscan handle live video from a camcorder, recorded images(including movies) from a VCR, videofrom laser disc player, televisionchannels from a VCR’s tuner andgenerally anything that outputs

through an RCA cable. RCA inputs were standard on older, true A/Vcomputers. Check the back to see if your computer has RCA inputslike those in the illustration below. Your old computer mayalso be equipped with a video input card (sometimes called avideo capture card). For most computers, Mac and Windows,these run around $100. On desktop computer, they fit into aslot on the motherboard. For laptop computers, theygenerally fit into the PCMCIA slot. The third and best way toget video into older machine was through SVideo connections. Some older computers can beupgrade with firewire or USB cards, but the small size of their drives and their inability to runthe great new editing programs leaves them wanting. But they still work! For multimedia andweb-based video, their liabilities are not so great. You might keep them around as a workstationfor those applications.

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Video Audio In In

Note: Generally, video cards will have two audio input jacks for stereo applications. The illustration shows one audio input for simplicity.

Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 [email protected]

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Video In on Newer Machines: True Digital VideoComputers now have the ability to take in true digital video. Digital video is great because thereis no generation loss in editing or copyright projects, meaning that you can import, export, andrepurpose videos without things getting grainy. There are two ways video gets into off the shelfcomputers. The first is through the USB (Universal Serial Bus) port. Web cams, microscopes, andsome Windows XP video applications look for video signals in the USB port. While this port doeswork, 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. Notonly 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 aserious breakthrough in quality, speed, and flexibility. With either connection, you must havesoftware 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 USBvideo.

IEEE “firewire” 4 pin (goes into a camcorder)

I EEE “firewire” 6 pin (the usual computer connection)

USB “A” (computer)

USB “B” (device)

Sidebar: Video from broadcast television or cable can be brought directlyin through a tuner card or external device that connects to the computer viaUSB or firewire. You simply connect an antenna or cable TV cable to thecard or device and pull programs into your computer -- or to watchtelevision on your computer monitor. In a pinch, connect your digitalcamcorder to a VCR and record TV programs through the RCA (analog) outputs. Then go fromyour 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 beincorporated into videomaking or multimedia application. They can be agreat addition to projects. First, pull the digital photographs onto the harddrive using the software that came with the cameras. Then use yourvideomaking or multimedia software to find and incorporate the stills. Somesoftware programs now automatically will generate a “movie” from the stills. Thesecan be exported as QuickTime movies and then be pulled into multimedia or video---if yoursoftware 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 (generallyless than $300) that have RCA (analog) inputs and USB or firewire (digital)outputs. Simply connect this device between your VCR and computer. Acheaper 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 videocamcorder must have inputs to do it. Buy wisely!

Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 [email protected]

The input instructions from the Canon manual. The “input” diagram is for the VCR. Note thatthe same “hole” on the camcorder serves as both input and output. The input feature is animportant one!

Illustrated Summary of “Video In” Connections

S-VideoRF (“radio frequency”)

RCA jack - video output USB video IEEE 1394

“Firewire”barely acceptable better best (analog) digital (less loss) digital - bestNote: Images from this page came from a variety of sources. Many were generated by the author but some came frompublicly 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 TapeMultimedia projects can and should include videos of or bystudents, animated sequences, film clips, and more.However, video takes up stupendous amounts of hard drivespace. Additionally, multimedia projects often don’tconvert well to paper to archive or share student work. Theanswer is to “print” on videotape. If you want music ornarration for your PowerPoint (for example) presentation, itcan 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 tomedia festivals.

There are three ways to do it.1. If you have a computer with video outputs (S-video or RCAs), you can connect yourcomputer directly to a VCR and simply start recording. Macs and “multimedia” PCs generallyhave these outputs.2. If you don’t have video outputs but you do have an output for acomputer monitor, as virtually all computers do, you can buy a scanconverter ($100 - $300). This intercepts the monitor output from the

Printing to Video

Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 [email protected]

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 nonlineareditor, simply output to your digital camcorder via firewire or USB. You take it out the sameway you put it in. Outputting to tape will be one of the menu options in the program. Once youhave it on tape in your digital camcorder, you move it out from your camcorder to a regular VCRand standard old VHS tape (see below). Virtually all digital camcorders will output to olderVCRs in this way.

The output instructions from the Canon manual. The “input” diagram is for the VCR. Note thesame “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 editingprogram such as iMovie or Pinnacle, you can export directly from the application. But takingvideo directly out from the computer is still very useful to create training tapes (how to useWord, etc.) or exporting projects in PowerPoint, KidPix, etc., directly to tape for sharing withhome or other classes. If your computer doesn’t have a built-in video out port, you will need tobuy, borrow, or lease a scan converter ($100-$300)

To get video out, connect the scan converter to your computer. Remember: If you have videoout built in to your computer, you can skip this part!) More detailed instructions and pictures athttp://libraryweb.slcc.edu/libraryweb/media/tvator.html.

1. Disconnect your computer monitor and connect the scan converter to the now vacant monitorport. Reconnect your monitor to the scan converter. If you have a built-in monitor and anexternal monitor connector, skip to the next step.

back to monitor(some models)

scan converter

video out

monitor (VGA)

back of computer

from computer

2. Connect the scan converter to the extra “monitor out” port on the computer (the same placeyou would connect a data projector). This is the usual method with laptops.

Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 [email protected]

3. If you have a truly old computer or a “special” monitor-less design, you have to add aconnection inside the computer. Try Power R (1-800-729-6970).

Getting the Video into the VCROnce you have video going out from your computer, it is a matter of getting the video in to aVCR. This is not technically difficult, but there are enough little details that completing thisconnection is the most common question I get from teachers the midnight before a projectdeadline. 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 onthe scan converter. Connect it to the RCA video in jack on the VCR with an RCA male to RCAmale cord).

2. Set the VCR to input or auxiliary or line or whatever designation the manufacturer uses toturn the VCR’s attention to the jacks in the back. Use the input switch, commonly on the remotebut sometimes on the VCR. Occasionally, the channel up/down button will lock into the linefunction. If you see a channel number on the VCR (e.g., “3”), your VCR is not tuned into the jacks in theback.4. Set the tape speed to SP (the “two hour” speed). Set the VCR/TV switch to VCR. You shouldsee 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 videotapeto 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 headphoneoutput jack to the audio in jack on the VCR (the computer speaker jacks may be a little toonoisy). The computer speakers (or headphones) are probably stereo. If the VCR is not stereo, justconnect to the single audio in jack. The connector cable will look like this. If you can’t get theidentical cable, use adaptors to make one.

stereo mini plug RCA male plugsfrom 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 toaudio in on the VCR. The microphone by itself won’t be strong enough to be heard. You willneed to add either a mixer or a mini-amplifier (as shown below). Students will be able to narrateas they watch the output from the computer on the television (turn the volume down or you mayget feedback). When you record on the VCR, it will record the computer as video and themicrophone as audio.

Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 [email protected]

There are serious advantages to buying a mixer. They are available for less than $50, and theyenable students to mix music with their narration, a powerful addition to any project. You maymix narration, computer sounds, and music (or other audio sources) for your soundtrack. Theycan be very effective. Connect the microphone, computer speakers/headphone, and musicsource (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 thevideotape you have made. Note: You may have to search online to find one.

mini amplifier 1 or sound mixer3 (mixer has multiple inputs)

scan convertermicrophone2 or speaker ‘output’ from computervideo out

IN OUT

VCRvideo 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 MixA mixer will enable you to add music underneath narration. It also allows sound, music, soundeffects, and computer sounds to be combined. The VCR has one set of input jacks, so to mixsound you need a device with many inputs. By connecting the output from the mixed to theinputs on the VCR, you are able to add more audio effects and more audio impact that youwould otherwise be able to do.

An added bonus to having a mixer is that you can also add the mixed audio output from themixer into the computer-- via the microphone input-- if you want to bring richer audio tocomputer inputs and/or narration into computer projects. Programs (and computers) that allowstudents to record their own voices will never be the same. Use a stereo RCA to stereo mini cordto connect the mixer to the computer. Some computers may connect via the USB port. You willneed an adapter.

Mixer (audio out)

Computer (microphone input) or USB adapter

Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 [email protected]

The MixerThe elements of a creating a rich audio track for video or multimedia projects are diagrammedbelow. More information is at halldavidson.net. The connections below are not to scale.

from computer headphones

Example shownas stereo; monowill work fine.

out to VCR:(Audio In)

may also go out to the computer microphone input (use a RCA-to-mini cord

from CD headphones or line out (not speaker)

inout

microphone

The Mixer

More Options: Changing Sound TracksAnother thing a mixer makes possible is the ability to add a second track, or ‘voice-over’ to anexisting tape. Students could write and add a new sound (and new script) to a movie ordocumentary. 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 intostudent work. Do this by connecting two VCRs and the mixer as illustrated below. Put the blanktape in VCR and the original in VCR 2.

audio in

VCR 2

out to TV

Out Video Audio

VCR

Camcorder

Or

video in

video out

mixer

Workstations: Setting up at least one workstation where students can bring video in and out fromthe 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 beincorporated into many kinds of technology. Similarly, work can be shared at home and other educationalsettings. An ideal video workstation would include: a computer with video in and out, a VCR, a soundsource (like a CD player), a microphone, and a mixer.

A Cable and Connector Visual GlossaryA closer lookat the back of aVCR.

VideoOut

VideoIn

AudioIn

AudioOut

In from Antenna

RCA female connectors RF female (coaxial cable)

Out to TV

power c o r d

Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 [email protected]

laptop adapter card for firewire

USB “Universal Serial Bus” offerstransfers rates of up to 12 megabytes persecond, more than 50 times old serialports (and 12,000 times bus ports.Keyboards, video, and more can bemoved through USB connections.

IEEE 1394 is known by many names, commonly byIEEE or Firewire (an Apple trademark). IEEE 1394is fast--at 400 Mbps it has 30 times morebandwidth than USB. There is also a new fasterfirewire standard being released. It is also hotplugable and supports up to 63 devices and cablelengths up to 14 feet.

Video and Audio Out connector from a typical digital camcorder. It allows a digital camcorderto connect to a “regular” VCR for copiesor viewing.

New storage devices using IEEE andUSB are cheaper, faster and bigger. A350 gigabytes drive can be as inexpensiveas $399, cheap per gigabyte compared toa Zip or Jaz drive and cartridges. forexamples: www.promax.com.A Cable andConnector VisualGlossary continued

PLUGSThe term for male connectors.

JACKS The term for female connectors.

RCA connectors. At Radio Shack they call these"phono" connectors. They are used for VCR videoaudio in and out; old Apple II monitors; laser discoutputs. They were used on old hi-fi's as speakeroutputs (avoid connecting your equipment to theseplugs, RCA male RCA female since they are too "hot"(amplified).

Mini-plugs. Also called "1/8" or "3.5 mm." These areused for headphone s in cassette players, CD players,audio inputs on most computers, speaker outputs onmost computers; microphone jacks on camcorders.Inexpensive mono mini-plug stereo mini-plug

USB “A” connects to the computer

USB “B” connects to the peripheral

IEEE “firewire” a/v 4 pin (typically goes into an appropriately equipped camcorder)

I EEE “firewire” 6 pin (the usual computer connection)

3.5mm angled plug to 3 RCA plugs 2.0m

S-Video outputon computeror VCR

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RCA male RCA female

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mono mini-plug stereo mini-plug

Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 [email protected]

microphones use these connections (and many arevery good).

BNC. This is a more professional video output. Thefemale is barrel-shaped. It is good to have a BNC-to-BNC male BNC female RCA adapter in your pocket.You never know when a VCR will have BNC jackinstead of an RCA.

By many names, RF, "F" connector, or coaxial cablethis connector lives behind your VCR and connects itto "F" connector female to male your television.Usually you find the cables in a variety of lengths withmale connectors on both ends. Be careful not to bendthe little pin in the middle.

Phone plugs or 1/4" plugs were the former connectorof choice for headphones. You still find them 1/4" (orphono) occasionally on mixing boards or otherequipment. Have adapters handy to convert this oldplug. Only Radio Shack resists calling them "phono"plugs.Adapters. You can get anything connected toanything. Radio Shack is a good place to begin.Electronics store in bricks (stores) or clicks (online)will everything else. RCA to mini adapter. You canconvert audio to stereo, vice versa, and nearlyeverything else. Shown is the absolutely essential"RCA-mini" adapter.

Cables. The most readily available cables are RCAcables: RCA to -RCA male to RCA male. You can getthem in a variety of colors at Radio Shack--very usefulin the classroom. Have adapters handy to convert thecables to mini males.8mm vs VHS-C. VHS-C cassettes will fit into regularVCRs (with an adapter). 8mm cassettes will not. Note:some images from radioshack.com, securityideas.com, andwww.amabilidade2002.com

Bonus Section: Integrating Video ClipsDownloaded from the Web

There are an increasingly large number of video resources accessible through the Internet. Withthe right browser configuration and software support, these video resources can be pulled downfrom the web into a student’s hard drive where they can be incorporated into multimediaprojects. Actual video clips of President Bush (both of them) speaking on specific issues, andscientists like Robert Oppenheimer, authors like John Gresham, Maya Angelou can add greatweight and insight into student projects on appropriate topics. To have access to these clips, youneed 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 currentbrowser.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. Getboth. QuickTime Pro is seriously worth the money.

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BNC male BNC female

“F” connector female to male

1/4” (or phono)

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RCA to mini adapter

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cables: RCA to -RCA

Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 [email protected]

The right video format on the site you're visiting. Straight streaming can't be captured (withoutsome secret and very suppressed software). However, many times people posting video clips ofexemplary people, movie trailers, etc., enable their clips for downloading. Note: These clips arewonderful in HyperStudio, PowerPoint, etc., but they won't fit neatly into digital editingprograms such as iMovie or IntroDV. They can be squeezed into such projects, but they show thestrain.

Here is how to do it. First, in QuickTime Pro.

1. Navigate to a site that offers video resources (such as achievement.org, below)

2. Find where to launch the video. Click on the link.

3. After the clip has downloaded (the grey bar iscompletely filled), hold down the mouse (right clickin Windows). Select “SaveAs QuickTime Movie”.Select the folder where you want it stored and thereit will be for your future use. Create a new folder foryour clips. Otherwise they might get lost. Note, thisworks with movies streamed to the web asQuickTime. 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 inMedia Player such aswww.unitedstreaming.com (forwhich you’ll have to get a guestpassword).2. Click “Streaming Options”. Abox will open.3. Set the option for “DownloadLink”. The clip will nowdownload into your hard drive,just as if it were a VCR!

Important cool note: Once youhave a video, why not import itinto iMovie (Mac) or PinnacleStudio 8 (Windows) and have

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Digital Nuts and Bolts, Hall Davidson, 2003 [email protected]

students add their own, new sound track. Erase the old one. Talk about authentic learning! Nopassive 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 fromexperts in the field, NASA, JPL, relevant TV commercials (adcritic.com) and more. Video takesup space, so remember to pick up an external hard drive to hold them all---- or plan on burningsome midnight CDs.

Example: In HyperStudio (1) from “Objects” in the menu bar, select “Add A Button”. (2) Once thebutton is placed, select the action “Play a movie or video...” (3) Navigate tothe folder where your movie is stored. It will now be a resource, like clip art, you can bring inwhenever needed.