BP4_Next Video Converter

BP4_Next Video Converter

http://www.nextvideosoft.com 

Isn’t life funny when practice is asked to meet a real world problem?  ETC's BP4 was a timely assignment.  Let me set the scene:  I arrive at work and almost immediately my supervisor says there is a problem.  As she is explaining, she hands me an envelope with three DVDs enclosed.  “We have tried to upload these training videos to YouTube but the DVDs are not in a format that can be used.”  What a challenge, but I was up for the task.

Next Video Converter is a free source DVD converter. The application is able to read and convert multiple video and audio formats to .mp3, .mp4, mpeg, .mov, .qt, PSP, iPod, iPad and similar popular formats.  The application was a free download and installation.  Once the application was installed, I inserted the DVD and was able to view the contents using  determine what was actually on the disk.  This was helpful because no identifying information was provided nor any of the disks labeled (see above screenshot).  Next Video Converter provided several options: to copy, to rip, upload to YouTube or post to a URL.  I selected “Rip DVD” to create a copy of each chapter on the DVD.  Due to the length of each video, 6 hours of video total, it took approximately 10 hours to rip the 3 DVDs.  This was partly due to technology conflict as my PC crashed to the blue screen no less than 8 times while processing the DVDs. 

My PC struggled through the DVD ripping process.  However, I ended up with 6, 1 hour, usable .mp4 videos that were uploaded to YouTube on the office training channel.   Check out the link at http://www.youtube.com/user/GPDSC1

Disclaimer:  I did not shoot, produce or edit any of these videos.  I ripped the DVD, uploaded the videos and added titles to YouTube.  

PE3_iMovie

Chapter 8 Sharing Your Movies

Once the iMovie is finished, it is ready for posting or viewing by an audience.  iMovie provides several options to choose for uploading depending on the output device or website selected.  

Critical to the EMDT program is for students to demonstrate several competencies.  There is the technological mastery of iMovie.  Combine that with the creative synthesis of the subject matter into a video that is academically sound.  This is a direct application of knowledge to create a dynamic project.  

I created a short iMovie to practice using the special effects.  I used two photos from the iMovie '11 exercise file.  These are some very nice stills and video to work with.  I was able to apply a title and the fade to black and dissolve transitions.  I even challenged myself to add audio of a Big Waterfall clip found in the iLife sound effects.  With enough time and patience I am certain I can create some really interesting videos for the my capstone project, for place of employment and for personal enjoyment.

Thanks and Goodbye!

PE2_iMovie

Chapter 3

Garrick Chow described iMovie is a one window application.  That is quite handy to work primarily in one screen to create and edit movies.  

Reading from left to right the panes are named as follows:

Project Pane*

Viewer

Event Library

Events Pane Browser*

*The user has the option to toggle panes by using the switch button (two arrows).

My event library contains the first video assignments and some assignments that I plan to reject.  I was good to know that iMovie saves all projects. 

I was familiar the iMovie Toolbar only by my own trial and error.

It appears that iMovie 11 shows the Advanced Toolbar on the interface.  I am curious to learn to use rating button (star) and reject clip button (x). 

The buttons are labeled with pictures for ease of use.  Many only require general knowledge to apply.

Chapter 4 introduced organizing clips.  The most intriguing was the tagging option and finding people.  Since I have used tagging I understand the taxonomy of relating objects or items.  Another “genius” function built in by Apple.  How convenient to have the ability to tag clips to be stored by keywords.

The final chapters 5, 6 and 7 were the most challenging for me.  Editing, special effects and audio will take some practice to get to an acceptable standard.  It appears that movie making is time and labor intensive.  From what I gather from the video course, planning is a critical component.  One must have ample footage or stills to work with.  Chow even mentioned that for the split screen special effect, one needs to plan shooting the subjects from the right and the left in order for the split screen to be used properly.   

I am challenged to move beyond the technical application of iMovie to those high ordered processes of synthesis and creating.  Sure, I can handle the application, but I am by no means ready for Sundance.  My goal is to practice using the iMovie to a level of competence.  Knowing there are professional that have mastered Final Cut Pro and other professional video editing software is really quite amazing.     

All in all, for the hobbyist and the student, iMovie provides a user-friendly interface to plan and create entertaining and educational movies.  Garrick Chow and Lynda.com provided a comprehensive series of videos that I plan to refer to for upcoming video assignments.

PE1_iMovie

PE1_iMovie

The objective of the W2 - Practical experience was to

            As an Apple consumer, I have working knowledge of many of the iLife applications.  While I am no expert with iMovie, I have very concrete experience with iTunes and limited experience with Garageband and iPhoto.  Surprisingly, the iMovie “11 Essential Training” introduced me to iLife siblings iWeb and iDVD.

            Chapters 1 and 2 were used to assess the version of iMovie, the viewer’s familiarity with different types of video connections and a review of the evolution of video cameras.  General instructions for importing video were provided for each type of camera listed.  Based on the descriptions provided I have at my disposal the Kodak video camera provided by FSO and the camera/video options on my iPhone and MacBook.  These cameras are memory based or digital still.   Interestingly, I just recently completed a project importing a video from other sources.  I look forward to practicing  my iMovie skills with Garrick Chow’s exercise files.