Working with Video Footage and the Software: Part 4

Hello,

Today, we are discussing how to work with the new video footage you have filmed using your Digital Flip Camcorder. The first thing you need to do is pull on the latch on the side of the camcorder, and the USB Connection will come out. You then plug this into a USB port on your computer.

Once you plug it in you will need to install the software that is inside the camcorder. That's right the software is built inside the Flip Camcorder. No need for an installation disc. When you plug it in, the following menu will come up:

You will choose the top option View Your Flip Camcorder Videos Using the Programs Provided on the device. Click OK and then you will see a licensing agreement by flip that you must agree to. Once you agree, you can install the software. Next you will see this menu:

Follow the instructions for installing the software. It may ask you to restart your computer to use the software. Sometimes this is not necessary. Once the software is on your computer you will see the following menu or the videos will automatically start loading in the software.

You can click on the first option View & organize videos, and all your videos will load on the screen, like below or they may load automatically. Most of the clips you will see are from a snow storm we encountered on my way to Abilene, TX. back in December of 2009. For the full edited video please visit: http://mrybarra.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-flip-camera-by-flip.html This is the first view in which you can see the videos lined up on the left side.

Here is the second view option that you can choose to work with.

Here is the third view.

To edit your videos, simply click on the scissors and you can trim it the way you want. You can also resave your movie with the new edited video.

During the edit process you can chose to resave it or replace the current video.

When you are ready to make your movie, click on either of the Movie buttons down below.

To create your movie, you just click and drag the videos into the boxes that are listed 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Every time you add a video a blank video box will appear in case you want to add more videos to your movie. When you are done you can click on the Magic Movie button and your move will be created automatically or you can click on Full length to continue making your movie.

Next, you can add titles and credits to your movie. Simply click in the white text area and type your title. When you are done click Next

You can also add background music to your movie, if you prefer. The software comes with it's own type of music or you can add your own music.

Now, you are ready to name your movie and save it to your computer. You might want to change the location of where you want to save it. You probably want to save it on your desktop so you can easily find it.

If you go to the create menu, you can also take snapshots of your video. Yes, you can save any part of your video as a picture.

Just click and drag the picture you want and then click on save. It will save it to the Flip Digital Video Library.

Now, you are ready to create a DVD.

Here is a closer view of the Create DVD menu above. Flipshare will save your Movie in a folder on your desktop.

Next week, we will be reviewing other ways to share your movies through online web sites, and how to work with other compatible softwares. See you next week.

How to Turn any Room into a Presentation Room with Your Computer Part 1

Hello,

Today I am blogging about how to set up a microphone PA system in your classroom. You can turn any room into a presentation room by using your computer, and your computer speakers.

 I think teachers should create a Great Experience for their students, and having a microphone, and speakers in their room does that. You can have students give presentations, and they can hear their voice amplified over your speakers. You can teach your students interview skills, and presentations skills. You can also teach them how to defend proposal, and premises in front of the class.

From my experience of visiting different elementary schools, I am finding about less than 1% of the teachers use microphones in their classrooms. So this can be a great way to help your students in having an unforgettable experience that they will never forget, while teaching them presentation skills at a young age.

It is as easy as connecting a microphone to the back of your computer through your sound card. You want to make sure you have computer speakers connected to your computer, so the sound can come through them. As you can see in the picture, you connect the round metal tip to the back of your sound card. At the end of the cord, it is usually color coded to match the color of your jack input in your soundcard. If it is not, then you are looking for an imprint or picture of a microphone on the back of your sound card.

Your other options are to buy a USB Microphone and just plug in the Microphone into a USB port. Many USB Microphones come with software you have to install before you connect the microphone to the computer. Once you do this, then all you have to do is to go into your sound and audio devices in your settings on your computer to turn on the microphone. To do this you have to left click on your green start button on the bottom left side of your computer screen. There are two views you could be using on your computer. (To enlarge the pictures you need to rapidly double click the pictures with the left side of the mouse)

The first view is the classic start menu and the second view is the new start menu. Let’s go over the first one, the classic start menu. Older computers have this menu and it looks like this Click on control panel and you are looking for an icon that says Sounds and Audio Devices Once you find it, rapidly double click with the left side of the mouse and you will see a menu like this

The second view is the newest view for Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. Left click on the green start button on the bottom left of your screen. You are now looking for this button on the right side of the start menu. You will need to left click on the control panel button. Next, you will see this menu You will need to rapidly double click with the left side of the mouse on the Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices. This is the next menu you will see after you have opened up your Sounds and Audio Devices Options. You will be on the sounds tab button. You can place a check by the Place volume icon in the taskbar and then you want to click the button below that Advanced and you will see a menu like this You will want to uncheck the box that says Mute under the button that says Microphone, so you can hear sound coming out of your microphone. Do not worry about the other checks. You can close the Playback Control box and close the Sounds and Audio Devices Menu. You should now be able to talk with your microphone and hear the voice sounds projecting through your computer speakers.

Hope this helps if you have any other challenges while setting this up, please visit this following resource site: http://atr.k12.hi.us/tutorials/tutorials/sound/soundpt1.htm#one We will see you next week with part 2 on how to create set up a four professional wireless microphone system in your room for under $200. That's right I will be giving you all the details of where I purchased my professional wireless microphone system fron under $100. See you next week!