H O W D O I M A K E ( G O O D ) S T R E A M I N G M E D I A ?
A FEW TIPS FOR EDITING STREAMING MEDIA
Skip the fancy stuff
Complex transitions add
background to achieve the same end conservation
motion. Try to stick with straight cuts as much as
of motion for more effi cient encoding.
possible. Focus on content, not on effects.
Make titles larger and simpler, and
Use slow motion or even still shots
If you've got
let them linger longer
Remember that Web
some shaky, handheld video you want to stream, try
viewers are looking at your titles in a potentially
slowing it down, or even using still images. Slow motion
blurry, possibly as small as 160x120 pixel window.
footage does not change as quickly, and that makes it
Choose large font sizes, simple bold typefaces, and
easier to encode; still images are, of course even that
add a little space between characters. Keep back
much easier.
grounds simple behind your type, and be sure there's
a signifi cant difference in brightness between the type
Try matte techniques
If you didn't shoot blue
and the background. By keeping your titles onscreen
screen or greenscreen, but you have suitable footage
longer, the encoding software can recognize them as
to mask your subject, you can composite in a still
unchanging content and will better maintain details.
background to achieve the same end conservation of
motion for more effi cient encoding.
Try titling outside of the video frame
Use event
markers within your streaming video to launch titles in
Try matte techniques
If you didn't shoot blue
the form of still or animated GIFs, as part of the Web
screen or greenscreen, but you have suitable footage
page surrounding the video window.
to mask your subject, you can composite in a still
Processing and mixing audio for streaming with video
You've just fi nished recording your latest audio masterpiece for the Web. But on playback the audio
track sounds like an AM radio with dying batteries, and you realize it will sound even worse after
encoding. What can you do? Steve Cunningham answers his own question in his Streaming Media.com
Tutorial Creating Audio for the Web.
43
Check it out for descriptions of many of the different tech
niques you can use in post production to improve a recording that isn't all you had hoped for.
You'll fi nd all the tools you need for processing and mixing your audio including a
full range of audio effects (aka fi lters) in Adobe Premiere software. Adobe Premiere 6.0
Streaming media, in its present
provides a professional level audio mixing tool the Audio Mixer, so there's no need
form, is not about being subtle.
to purchase a separate software package to handle your audio. The Adobe Premiere
In an audio mix of narration
Audio Mixer resembles a sound studio style, multichannel mixer featuring gain and pan
adjustments for up to 99 audio tracks, a VU meter on each track that lights up to
and background, always remem
indicate clipping, and automation features you can use to streamline your workfl ow.
ber what pays the bills. That
The Audio Mixer lets you make adjustments in real time, playing the audio while
music is nice for establishing
watching the synchronized video. You can also make adjustments in the Timeline, using
convenient rubberband controls for volume, panning, or balancing audio. Adobe After
mood but it is the voice over that
Effects offers a full range of audio processing tools, as well, and allows you to generate
sells, informs, or educates.
compressed audio and MP3's for use in your streaming media productions.
I am a big believer in clear mono
The audio you've mixed may sound great on your computer's sound system, but by the
time it gets encoded and streamed to an end user listening with a 28.8 Kbps connection
sound. Stereo may be nice, but
and a dinky little built in computer speaker, it may have turned to mush. How will you
I don't think it currently adds
know? Expert Tim Kennedy recommends that you follow an old recording studio trick.
much to the viewing experience
Go out and get a small worthless speaker and plug it into your system. Then turn off
for most streaming users. I would
those stereo speakers or put down your headphones and listen closely to what that little
mono speaker is putting out. Grab a co worker (who doesn t know the material) and
rather provide my viewers with
namic Medianamic Media
get a second opinion.
yy
more data resources dedicated
When it comes to audio for streaming with video, experts agree on the following:
to streaming the video than
Avoid mixing multiple channels opt for clarity.
providing a stereo soundtrack.
Make sure the message gets through Sacrifi ce or subdue background music
obe Dobe D
Tim Kennedy
dd
in favor of clear narration that informs, educates, or sells.
Streaming Media World
44
AA
Stick to mono If you're streaming your audio with video, don't waste
the bandwidth on stereo.
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44 Streaming Basics: Editing Video for Streaming, by Tim Kennedy, Streaming Media World, March 8, 2001, http://smw.internet.com/video/tutor/streambasics2/index.html
