Magic of Video and Audio Encoding

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The Magic of Video and Audio Encoding

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	Encoding is the process of compressing normal sound and video files and optimizing them for streaming. You may encode the video file so that it streams smoothly to a viewer connected to the internet via a 28.8 kbps modem as well as a viewer who has a 128-kbps connection to the internet. Advanced encoding applications such as Video Caster allow you to encode media for multiple bandwidths so that you can stream your media to a wider cross-section of your target audience.

	The single most important issue in encoding your video clips is how good they will appear to your viewers - the visitors of your web site or the people to whom you email your video links. The Windows Media streaming formats allow you to share media online and add videos to your website easily and inexpensively. Windows Media Video (WMV) and Windows Media Audio (WMA) are probably the world's most popular and widely-used streaming formats.

	Encoding at the Right Quality

	The real skill in encoding your video into a streaming format is arriving at the perfect compromise between quality and size. A good application should give you a wide choice of custom encoding options and enable you to encode the file for maximum possible types of internet connections used by viewers today. You should encode your video at the best possible quality that can be streamed smoothly at that bandwidth. If you encode your videos at a higher bit rate than your viewers' available bandwidth, the video would not be displayed while streaming. You should encode at a slightly lower bit rate than the bandwidth speed available to your viewers.

	Encoding Procedures and Tools

	The first rule of achieving a high-quality encoded file is to record your raw file at the highest possible quality that the storage media allows you. If you are using Video Caster to capture your video, then use the default WMV format for desktop viewing. This would produce a high quality captured video. You will still need to convert the captured video to your desired bit rate for WMV streaming.

	There are many encoding applications available today such as Video Caster or Windows Media Encoder. You may also use Video Edit Magic to encode your edited media file. The benefit of using Video Edit Magic is that it is also a full-featured video editor. However, Video Caster is simpler to use. It is designed to capture, encode and publish your media files. Let us look at the procedures you need to follow for capturing and encoding using Video Caster.

	Capturing Using Video Caster
	You can use Video Caster to capture from a USB or a DV camera. Follow the steps given below:

	1.	Click on Tools in the menu and click Capture or click on the Capture icon on the tool bar.
	2.	The Capture dialog opens.
	3.	The Capture menu in Capture dialog lets you select whether you want to capture Video or Audio stream or both.
	4.	On the Capture menu, click on Options. The Options dialog has three tabs: General, WMV Settings and AVI Settings.
	5.	Under the General tab, in Device Settings you can select the Video Devices and Audio Devices you want to capture from.
	6.	Save Options allows you to save Capture Video and Snaps to Folder of your choice.
	7.	You may select WMV or AVI option under the Video Capture Format.
	8.	To configure WMV capturing, click on WMV Settings tab in the Options dialog.
	9.	Now select Video Profiles and Audio Profiles for the captured footage. Choose from the Available Streams under the selected profile.
	10.	Now that you have customized the settings, click on Start Capture button in Capture dialog. Click Stop Capture to stop capturing.
	11.	Preview window shows what is being captured.

	Encoding Your Files Using Video Caster

	1.	Click on the Convert button in the tool bar or select Convert from the File menu.
	2.	This opens the Conversion Wizard.
	3.	Click on the Add button.
	4.	In the Open dialog, browse through and select the file you want to convert.
	5.	Click the Open button. The file is displayed in Files to Convert box.
	6.	Now click on Browse button and chose where you want to save the converted file. The Destination Folder displays this location.
	7.	Under Convert to Format select the WMV option since it is better for streaming.
	8.	Click Next and select Video Profiles and Audio Profiles.
	9.	Choose from the Available Streams under the selected profile depending on the internet connection speed you want to target.
	10.	Click Next to start the conversion process. The status of conversion is constantly shown while the process is going on.
	11.	After the conversion process is completed, a conversion summary shows the Conversion Statistics and the Destination Folder.


	Encoding your files accurately will go a long way in ensuring that your viewers play your media files till the end. The next step is to publish your media files. Now you are ready to share your videos with your friends and associates.