I work in a public library and a few times each week people come up to me to tell me about a book they really like. I've been looking for the right way to capture such enthusiasm so that everyone can hear and learn from everyone else. When I noticed that SightSpeed PLUS videoconferencing software lets you record your videoconferences to later share on the web, I realized that this is one way to capture such enthusiasms.
While surfing the Digg.com web site, I came across the very thoughtful blog of Steve Borsch, who lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Right on his blog he describes why he loves the book: Now, Discover Your Strengths.
So I asked Steve if he might share his thoughts about this book -- and related topics -- via a SightSpeed videoconference. Steve graciously agreed. As we recorded the videoconference, I got to wondering whether this video could be made viewable on iPods, iPhones and other portable media devices. I knew I could host the video for free on the Internet Archive, which provides free web hosting for media files.
SightSpeed records video in its own format and then allows you to export to several other video formats including Flash and MPEG1. I chose to export our videoconference to MPEG1, because I suspected that would have the best audio and video quality. MPEG1 was a popular video format in the 1990's and usually MPEG1 files play well on Linux computers, as well as Macs and Windows.
For some reason the MPEG1 video file from SightSpeed did not play well on the Linux computers at my work. No big deal. I could find a way to convert this MPEG1 file to H.264, the new and very popular video format, which would surely play well on Linux.
Interestingly enough, QuickTime Pro was unable to perform this task. But a very nice free program called MPEG StreamClip (for Mac and Windows) performed this task like a champ.
The MPEG1 file from this 23-minute videoconference is about 200 megabytes in file size. MPEG StreamClip compressed this video down to about 100 megabytes, using the H.264 video codec. I chose audio quality of 192 kbps for this compression.
To my ear, the audio in this H.264 file sounds a bit too compressed. Perhaps I should have chosen a higher bit rate for the audio.
All in all, this videoconferencing project turned out far better than I expected. Steve Borsch has many interesting things to say. And now I'm not the only one who is benefitting from his words. Now everyone else can benefit, too.
If you'd like to take this 23-minute videoconference with you on the road to view while waiting for a doctor, or while riding the bus, or while waiting for your daughter's soccer game to begin, download the H.264 version of the file and drag it into your iTunes library. The next time you sync your iPhone (or video-enable iPod), you can carry this recorded videoconference with you.
A heartfelt thanks to all the people who created SightSpeed. Your software takes personal media creation in a whole new direction. If any readers of this blog create videoconferenced videos discussing books, do send me a link to your file on the Internet Archive. I'll be linking to some of those in future postings on this blog.
I ought to take a moment to explain how to view the different versions of this video file that are found on the Internet Archive.
Using my PowerMac at work I uploaded three versions of this videoconference. The MPEG1 version, the H.264 version (created using MPEG StreamClip) and a zipped version of the H.264 file. I created the zipped version by selecting the H.264 video file and choosing Create Archive from the File menu in Mac OS X.
I used CyberDuck to upload these files to the Internet Archive, following the directions the Internet Archive gives for uploading files using any of several FTP programs.
The Internet Archive automatically created the Flash version version of this video -- while at the same time allowing people to view the other versions. The zipped version of the video lets anyone download this video for viewing on their computer or portable media device.
It's useful to note that H.264 video plays best on G4 (or faster) Macs -- or on Windows computers from 2003 on forward. (H.264 is a video codec that does an excellent job compressing video, but it requires a fast processor to play back the video.)
To download the zipped file, click on the word FTP on the left side of the Internet Archive screen for this videoconference. You'll see the zipped file as the third file from the bottom.
Isn't it thoughtful for the Internet Archive to automatically include a dial-up version of this video? Sure the sound and video quality are much reduced, but there may well be someone wanting to view this video that doesn't have a high speed Internet connection.
It's time to turn off the television and spend more time listening to what each of us has to teach and explain to one another. SightStream and the Internet Archive pair well to help us do that.
The blogger has been working to bridge the digital divide for 20 years in the Washington DC-area. He loves Macs, adores Linux and likes Windows. Reader responses welcome in the comments below or at philshapiroblogger@gmail.com
