Purpose: This article describes how to create Windows Media Type files (avi) for use in streaming to the Internet.  

 

You can, with the proper tools create streaming media files for the purpose of streaming media content to the Internet.

In this article I will give you a step by step procedure for how to get the tools you need and then how to use them.

I have put considerable research into the topic as this is a very important and desirable feature that people want to

add to their websites. It is my belief that the Internet is evolving beyond the static text and graphic pages that are common

today.  It will be in the very near future the place for people to go to view lectures content and all sorts of videos and

streaming content. We at Cambrosia are leading the way in providing user friendly and affordable ways to make the

average person get their message out to the world. You do not have to be a programmer to accomplish this task.

You just have to be able to follow the step by step instructions provided in this article. 

 

The first thing that you have to do is actually make your video using a video camera or video capture device. This article

assumes that you now how to use and create videos with your video camera. After you have created your video the trick

then is to transfer the video from your camera to the computer. There are a few various scenarios for this procedure.

 

1. You have an analog video not made with a video camera and your video is on 8mm film. If this is the case you can have

      your film transferred to Tape,  CD or DVD. Generally speaking this can’t be done very well at home as you need expensive

      equipment to convert the film to video. You could project the video on to a screen and video tape it using a video camera to

      record the images and sound.  While this is a bit crude if you are on a tight budget it could be made to work.

 

If you do not have the time or patience to do this then consider using a service for this part of the process. There are usually

businesses in most small towns that provide film to video conversion. If your town is very small and does not have this service

then you will have to ship the film to a company that will do this for you.

 

See below for examples of companies listed on the Internet

that perform this service.  

 

50% Off of DVD Copies
Conversions from all tapes, films & slides. Guaranteed quality! USA

http://www.drdvdmd.com/index.html?HalfOffGooglead1

 

$14.95 2 hrs on DVD from
VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, MiniDV, Betamax Lot's of free customizable features

http://www.reeldigitalmemories.com/index.htm

 

 

VHS Video Duplication
Helpful service. Very low prices! Easy to order / Call (800) 426-6551

http://www.ahlmedia.com

 

 

These videos will still have to be converted from their presnt video format to a streaming format. The first step after you have made a video of some event a birthday party, Christmas day or a sporting event you will now need to upload that video into your computer using a video capture card or device.

 

There are many video capture devices available today. If you just want to do home movies then I suggest one of the following vendors.

This is the under $100 group the quality is surprisingly good for the price and they are good for most at home applications.

 

The following list of Video Capture card reviews is provided by the Videoguys Website and the links provided below will take you to their site if you wish to purchase any of these products or if you need more information about a particular product.

 

Cheap cards (under $100) with limited bundles and low-end NLE software

All of the DV/FireWire cards on the market deliver the identical video quality and all of them have the identical video specs - 720x480 image size, 29.97 frames per second, and a data rate of 3.6 megs per second. With all of these cards, you need a gig of storage for each 4.5 minutes of DV video. So video quality is not an issue. While the cards in this category will get the job done, you'll do much better if you step up to one that comes bundled with better software.

ADS PyroDV $69.95

 ·  NLE App: Ulead Video Editor

·  Hardware: OHCI FireWire

·  DVD Authoring:

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time:

·  Special:

The ADS Pyro is OHCI fireWire card. It is super easy to install and it works great. That's why we recommend for use with our Avid XPress DV systems!! PyroDV ships with Ulead's Video Studio, a very nice, user friendly NLE program that while limited, does get the job done. One of the big advantages of going with the Pyro is that it works with so many NLE apps including Premiere 6, Media Studio Pro 6.5, Vegas Video 3 and Xpress DV. This means that when you outgrow the limited Video Studio software, you can upgrade to just about any NLE application on the market today!

Pinnacle Studio AV/DV 9 $95.00

 ·  NLE App: Studio 9

·  Hardware: PCI card with DV & Analog

·  DVD Authoring: Integrated

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time: Real-Time preview in window on VGA monitor

·  Special: SmartMovie and automatic image enhancement

This software is by far and away the easiest to use and most feature rich tool for getting started in desk top video editing. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. You organize all your media; video, sounds, and graphics using a 'photo album' interface. Each type of media gets it's own 'chapter' that you access by clicking on a tab. Then each 'page' opens up with thumbnails representing each file. You just click on a thumbnail to preview and trim your clips, then drag it into the editor.

The coolest new feature in Studio 9 is SmartMovie.This new technology will automatically edit your video to the beat of the soundtrack you select. The other cool new feature is automatic image enhancement technology. Studio 9 can automatically color correct your footage to compensate for poor lighting, stabilize it to remove camera shake and clean up snow and noise from older video tapes.

 

Low cost analog solutions for NLE & DVD
If all you really want to do is create VCD or DVD disks, these cards are a good solution to consider. While the editing is weak, they will let you create VCD, SVCD and DVDs. Best of all, they are USB, which means no hardware to install!

·  Canopus Let's Edit $99.95

·  NLE App: Let's Edit

·  Hardware: none

·  DVD Authoring: Ulead DVD Factory

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time:

·  Special: Tons of FX, hardware available for analog & DV

Canopus has long been the industry leader for rock solid video editing sdolutions loaded with powerful features. Let's Edit makes the it affordable for everyone!

 

·  Plextor ConvertX PX-M402U $149.95

 ·  NLE App: WinDVD Creator

·  Hardware: USB 2 MPEG encoder

·  DVD Authoring: WinDVD Creator

·  Compression: MPEG 1, 2, 4 & DivX

·  Real-Time:

·  Special: Real-Time MPEG4 & DivX encoding!

Not only is this a very good quality MPEG1 & 2 encoder, the MPEG-4 encoding seperates it from all the other competitive products. The MPEG-4 files created with the ConvertX PX-M402U play perfectly on Windows Media Player 9. By encoding into MEPG-4 or DivX you can get up to 10 hours of video on a single DVD! Or share your MPEG-4/DivX files with friends and family over the internet!!

ADS USB Instant DVD 2.0 $169.95

 ·  NLE App: Video Studio

·  Hardware: USB 2 MPEG encoder

·  DVD Authoring: My DVD

·  Compression: MPEG 1&2

·  Real-Time: VGA Previews

·  Special: The included Video Studio Software will edit your MPEG2 files

If you are looking for the easiest way to get video from your VCR or camcorder onto a CD-ROM or DVD, this is it. The breakout box hooks up to your computer via a USB jack, so this solution will work great with desktops and laptops. With USB2 connection the video quality is surprisingly good. We've had great success burning VCDs and DVDs with this very cool little gadget!!

Pinnacle MovieBox USB 9 $188.00

·  NLE App: Studio 9

·  Hardware: USB 2 MPEG encoder

·  DVD Authoring: Integrated in Studio

·  Compression: MPEG 1&2

·  Real-Time: VGA Previews

·  Special: Capture and Edit MPEG2, then export to DVD from the timeline

The sexy and sleek Porche designed hardware delivers very good video quality via USB2. The included Studio 9 software is VERY easy to use.

If you are looking for the easiest way to get video from your camcorder onto a CD-ROM or DVD, this is it. The breakout box hooks up to your computer via a USB jack, so this solution will work great with desktops and laptops. With USB2 connection the video quality is surprisingly good. We've had great success burning VCDs and DVDs with this very cool little gadget!!

ADS USB Instant DVD+DV 2.0 $269.95

·  NLE App: Video Studio

·  Hardware: USB 2 MPEG encoder w/ DV input

·  DVD Authoring: My DVD

·  Compression: MPEG 1&2

·  Real-Time: VGA Previews

·  Special: DV input on the external USB encoder hardware gives you device control for capture of DV cams.

If you are looking for the easiest way to get video from your DV camcorder onto a CD-ROM or DVD, this is it. The breakout box hooks up to your computer via a USB jack, so this solution will work great with desktops and laptops. With it's added FireWire port you can get device control for capturing video from your DV source. With USB2 connection the video quality is surprisingly good. We've had great success burning VCDs and DVDs with this very cool little gadget!!

 

  Advanced NLE software for DV editing on a budget
If you are getting started in desk top video and looking for the best solution on a limited budget, this is the category for you. All the cards in this category come with software and hardware that will allow you to fully edit your video and add a wide range of titles, cool transitions and special effects.

Ulead Media Studio Pro 7.0 $299.95

 ·  NLE App: MS Pro 7.0

·  Hardware: None

·  DVD Authoring: DVD Plug-Ins for MS Pro

·  Compression: DV & MPEG2

·  Real-Time: VGA & FireWire Preview

·  Special: MPEG2 editing

I've been a big fan of Media Studio Pro since version 2.0. It is a very powerful NLE program and easy to use. You get a ton of really cool 3D FX and transitions plus very easy to use 3D motion paths. MS Pro 7 is actually 5 applications in one. You get the video capture interface & the video editor, plus a very cool CG for titling and a paint program for manipulating the video. Rounding out the package is an audio editor. MS Pro 7 is one of the only NLE applications around that can edit both DV and MPEG2 files. It is loaded with features and performance. You get real-time MPEG capture, real-time preview to an external monitor, and real-time output. Plus, with MediaStudio's DVD authoring module you have an all-in-one DV to DVD solution. This powerful, flexible video editing solution is all you need to create content for broadcast, tape, the Internet, CD and DVD.

Sony Vegas 4 $499.95

 ·  NLE App: Vegas 4

·  Hardware: None

·  DVD Authoring:

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time: VGA & FireWire Preview

·  Special: Outstanding audio tools and professional feature set

Vegas 4.0 is an excellent choice for video editing, audio production, compositing, titling and advanced encoding on the PC platform. With its sleek, intuitive interface and powerful video and audio production tools, Vegas provides a complete and integrated solution for digital video, audio recording, editing and mixing, and streaming content creation.

ADS Pyro Professional $499.95

 ·  NLE App: Premiere Pro

·  Hardware: Pyro OHCI FireWire

·  DVD Authoring: Encore DVD

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time: VGA & FireWire Preview

·  Special: Full Premiere Pro & DVD Encore over $1000 value!!

The lowest cost DV card shipping with the full version of Adobe Premiere Pro & Encore DVD. If you are planning on moving up to one of our Real-Time cards in the future, this is a great choice for you to get started. Add in our Premiere Pro Getting Started DVD Tutorial and you will be on your way!!

Ulead Studio Quartet $549.95

 ·  NLE App: MS Pro 7.0

·  Hardware: None

·  DVD Authoring: DVD Workshop AC3

·  Compression: DV & MPEG2

·  Real-Time: VGA & FireWire Preview

·  Special: MS Pro 7, DVD Workshop, Cool 3D & PhotoImpact

Take Media Studio pro 7, add in a very powerful and easy to use DVD Authoring application (DVD Workshop AC3), a very cool 3D titling & animation program (Cool 3D) and a super easy to use image editor (Photo Impact) and you've got one great deal!

Combination Analog & DV solutions
Sure you have a new DV cam with FireWire, but what to do with all your older analog footage? These cards offer you the best of both worlds. You'll also find some added real-time features at the higher end of this category.

Pinnacle MovieBox DV 9 $235.00

 ·  NLE App: Studio 9

·  Hardware: FireWire DV/ Analog converter box

·  DVD Authoring: Integrated in Studio

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time: VGA Previews

·  Special: Burn to DVD from the Studio timeline

The sexy and sleek Porche designed hardware adds analog I/o to your FireWire equipped computer. The included Studio 8 software is VERY easy to use.

Pinnacle Studio Deluxe 9 $188.00

 ·  NLE App: Studio 9

·  Hardware: PCI Card for analog & DV I/O

·  DVD Authoring: Express

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time: Real-Time preview in window on VGA monitor

·  Special: Breakout Box , SmartMovie

For under $200 you get Studio 9 plus some really fantastic hardware that lets you use both DV and analog camcorders & VCRs. That's right, now you can take all your years of video footage, edit it down, add titles and FX, then output it to videotape or DVD!!! MiniDV, Hi8, VHS, Digital8, 8mm, S-VHS – Studio Deluxe can handle it all. With the breakout box not only can you capture analog video, but you can also output your analog or DV footage directly to your VHS or S-VHS tape deck – without having to go through your DV cam!! Even cooler, you can hook-up your television to the A/V output and see just how your video will look on a real TV while you are editing. If you are looking for the best products for getting started in DV and DVD production, your search is over. Studio Deluxe is the ideal solution. It is affordable, powerful and super easy to use.

Canopus Let's Edit RT $299.95

 ·  NLE App: Let's Edit

·  Hardware: DV & Analog input, DV output

·  DVD Authoring: Ulead DVD Factory

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time: VGA Preview

·  Special: Tons of FX, hardware available for analog & DV

Canopus has long been the industry leader for rock solid video editing sdolutions loaded with powerful features. Let's Edit makes the it affordable for everyone! With the included Canopus hardware you can inpout both analog & DV footage.

Canopus Let's Edit RT Plus $399.95

·  NLE App: Let's Edit

·  Hardware: OHCI card for Analog & DV I/O

·  DVD Authoring: Ulead DVD Factory

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time: VGA Preview

·  Special: Tons of FX, hardware available for analog & DV

Canopus has long been the industry leader for rock solid video editing sdolutions loaded with powerful features. Let's Edit makes the it affordable for everyone! With the included Canopus hardware you can input and output both analog & DV footage.

Canopus ACEDVio Ultra $549.95

 ·  NLE App: Premeire Pro

·  Hardware: OHCI card for Analog & DV I/O

·  DVD Authoring: Encore DVD

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time: VGA & FireWire Preview

·  Special: Premeire Pro w/ analog & DV I/O

Simply the lowest cost Premeir Pro bundle that includes hardware for both analog & DV capture and output. The ACEDVio hardware also supports Vegas, Edition, MS Pro & Xpress DV

ADS AV Link Professional $549.95

 ·  NLE App: Premiere Pro

·  Hardware: Pyro OHCI FireWire

·  DVD Authoring: Encore DVD

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time: VGA & FireWire Preview

·  Special: Full Premiere Pro & DVD Encore over $1000 value!!

What a fantastic bundle for those of you with a FireWire equipeed computer or laptop! You get teh ADS Pyro AV Link analog /DV converter box PLUS the full version of Adobe Premiere Pro & Encore DVD. Add in our Premiere Pro getting started DVD Tutorial and you will be on your way!!

Matrox RTX.10 Suite $679.95

·  NLE App: Premeire Pro

·  Hardware: PCI card w/ Breakout Box. Analog & DV I/O

·  DVD Authoring: Encore DVD

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time: VGA Preview w/ Real-Time Analog output

·  Special: Real-Time Flex 3D transitions and filters, Single pass scan & capture, After Effects WYSIWYG output

Once you get to play with the real-time Flex 3D transitions and FX in the RTX.10, you will have a hard time controlling yourself from over using them. They are that cool and so much fun to use, since they do not have to render! RTX.10 supports DV and analog video. The "Power of X" gives you real-time color correction w/ auto white balance, real-time speed control and more.

Professional Real-Time DV NLE solutions
Professional long format video productions require extra features and stability that can meet the rigors of daily editing. You need a customizable workspace that you can optimize for the way that you edit. You need multiple levels of undo and you need total and complete control over your production.For in depth comparisons of our Real-Time NLE solutions, check out our RT-5 Real-Time Round Up article!

Pinnacle Liquid Edition $649.95

 ·  NLE App: Liquid Edition

·  Hardware: OHCI FireWire

·  DVD Authoring: Integrated

·  Compression: DV

·  Real-Time: Real-Time VGA previews, multiple layers of video, tons of real-time 3D filters & FX, Background rendering

·  Special: Background Rendering & Integrated DVD Authoring

Edition is an all new NLE software from Pinnacle. Actually it's not all new. Pinnacle bought the technology from Fast about a year ago. Over the past year they've been integrating all their other software titles into it to make it an exceptionally powerful non linear editing and compositing solution. TitleDeko and Hollywood FX are integrated into the application and the video qulaity is incredible, even with extremely complex 3D transition. Even cooler is the integrated DVD authopring that lets you author and burn your DVD directly from the timeline!

Liquid Edition leverages both the CPU and GPU performance of your system. By utilizing the power of your 3D graphics card Liquid Edition delivers far more real-time 3D filters and effects than any other real-time DV solution.

Avid Xpress DV 4 $679.95

 ·  NLE App: Xpress DV

·  Hardware: None

·  DVD Authoring: Sonic DVDit! SE

·  Compression: