AV+Recording+WIP

toc

Audio Now, Video Next
C3HUU has been recording sermons for at least 15 years. This section details Work In Progress (WIP) to enable Video recording as well as audio of services and special events with minimal extra effort from the "Soundroom Operator". Many C3HUU services have been made over the past 15 years and archived on audio tape cassettes, more recently as CDs sitting in file boxes and cabinets. In 2008, C3HUU began posting sermons and special event audio recordings online. As we move from consistent recording and posting of audio, how do we now move into the world of handling digital audio and video? For several years every special event, especially those involving our youth, have been recorded on many camcorders in many formats (VHS, 8mm, mini-DVDs, Hi8, miniDV, et al) and these sit among member and friend personal video libraries. So what do we at C3HUU do to move into the video age?

Hints & tips for YouTube
In mid-2014, our team accepted the challenge to move the audio archive, or at least featured recent audio, to the Weebly space web site: http://c3huu.org. In doing so, we had a choice to use the Weebly player or choose an external player and embed the audio feed. After much review and discussion, YouTube was determined to meet our criteria, especially that there is little training required for our audience to effectively use YouTube as a replay tool.

However, that means every audio file had to be turned into a video file. Currently, the editing and posting is done by one person and their preference is Camtasia Studio because he already had a professional license. Other tools such as Wondershare Video Editor can work well as an inexpensive tool to create photo enhanced audio. Both have free trials; Camtasia has educational price around $130; Wondershare is $40. Some PCs come with a video editor that supports import of photos with audio and creation of an MP4 file output.

[Update 2014-05-22] Some newer tools are included below, several were developed for recording online games and are straightforward to use for video capture. At present C3HUU is still focusing on audio capture with some still photos integrated and posted in this C3HUU YouTube channel.

[Update 2010-02-07] This is a long term goal, in the meantime, details are posted for getting current audio recording to work reliably and repeatably with minimum training required of Soundroom Operators.

With the advent of ubiquitous high performance networks, videos are being shared now as audio tracks were a few years ago. Several issues need to be tackled:
 * 1) Develop a policy for the posting and distribution of audio and video taken at C3HUU sanctioned events
 * Note: at this time there is no policy statement regarding individuals who collect video or audio taken in our sanctuary or other events. We could have posting of an event on [|YouTube] or elsewhere at any time!
 * 1) Establish a planning team for developing policy guidelines for dealing with content recorded at C3HUU events, whether Audio, Video, or other Multimedia (let's use the acronym "AV" for Audio&/or Video content)
 * 2) Complete processes for managing current audio content
 * 3) Establish the requirements that would bring video recording to our C3HUU services on a regular basis
 * 4) Move from testing a few inexpensive, readily deployed AV appliances to planning and deploying AV hardware, software, & training that supports the C3HUU mission

While the above is a work-in-progress and will take (a lot) of time to play out, here we already have some work underway that is being tracked:
 * work with the Soundroom crew on more completely automating ways to collect audio, and ideas on how to collect "standard" video as well as special event video
 * understand experiences elsewhere:
 * an excellent tutorial on tools for creating and streaming video content entitled [|"Power Tools for the Mass Ministry" includes excellent educational references]
 * though our UUA.org web site has MANY references to downloadable or streaming video, there are no references found in a few days of searching sporadically for CREATING and MANAGING video content. Seems to be a need here.

In support of the above, here are some experiences from working with the Digital Video Recorder, the Neuros OSD, which frees up a PC for staff that had been in the Soundroom.

Common tools for Video Capture & Upload
Many tools exist to assist in capture of video from a smartphone, video camera, or to convert from one video format to another. Several technologies that have been reported to our C3HUU Soundroom team: > > > Includes WinTV software (get the online update) + ArcSoft ShowBiz. > > > > > >
 * 1) Hauppauage HD PVR2 - this version of the very highly rated Hauppauge PVR series includes a black box which does most of the work in[[image:http://www.hauppauge.com/pics/hdpvr2_1512_back_diagram_big.png width="300" height="183" align="left"]] capturing video so it can be connected to a relatively slower laptop or PC and work well. The included software is very stable and does an excellent job of capturing video + audio in a compressed format if desired (MP4). Most other video capture devices capture in uncompressed formats (MOV or AVI) thus creating very large files (250MB is typical) for 30 minutes of video. Typically $150 or so, though can be found for discounts occasionally. Unless you are doing game console capture, get this version instead of the "gaming" edition. This does record up to 1080p quality, but for most video capture, 720p is more than adequate. Includes WinTV software (get the online update) + ArcSoft ShowBiz.
 * 1) Hauppauge USB Live2 - this USB2 attach "dongle" with adapter uses the same core software as the more expensive HD PVR2 and [[image:http://www.hauppauge.com/pics/usb-live2_connectors_medium.png width="265" height="222" align="left"]]requires a faster PC to capture video + audio. This device lacks the HDMI interface, but includes composite (single video connector + stero audio) + SVideo - a component video (RGB) connectors with stereo audio is available. Captures up to 720p with component video cables; the rest are stuck at 480p due to the limitation of the signals not this adapter. Goes for around $45.
 * 1) StarTech  SVID2USB2  Grabee - available under several different brands, this is a lower cost (typically $30-40) that works OK after getting upgraded software online. Works great on old XP laptops, but not as full function, or reliable setup, as above two products. Software updates are available from videohome web site.

Requirements for Neuros OSD
During testing, some requirements have surfaced which may be handled by our own mods to Neuros, would like larger community of churches to benefit (and provide feedback), so we are documenting these requirements here: Responded to || Now have a very nice Hi8 Sony camera for input, so this is moot. Only real "problem" is that have to record the whole service on tape to insure that the camera stays on for the whole service. ||= 2008-12-02 ||= 2009-02-01 ||
 * ~ Requirement ||~ Against Component ||~ Reason ||~ Date Opened ||~ Date
 * C3HNOSD6: create video format from OSD that can be streamed || OSD video || Alternative noted on [|Neuros forum], can create .asf format which is stated CAN be streamed by creating a shell script or altering the format created to "osd.asf". Better alternative are video players which can stream from MP4 and other formats directly, best seen is [|freeware Video LAN media player (VLC)] || 2009-02-01 ||  ||
 * C3HNOSD5: display greater than 800x600 JPEGs more quickly || OSD slideshow || Current slideshow viewer is painfully slow on anything over 3Mpixels, on 6Mpixels takes up to 35s to render. This device is not a good slideshow viewer! ||= 2008-12-04 ||= 2009-01-03 ||
 * C3HNOSD4: "rip" audio from MPEG4 (.mp4) file || OSD ? || Automate the "rip" of audio file from MPEG4, found program that might do so, [|Big Extract Audio DVD]. [|WinFF] works even better, versions for Mac and Linux as well. ||= 2008-12-03 ||= 2009-02-18 ||
 * C3HNOSD3. Accept single "frame' at a time into video stream for "Ken Burns" effect || OSD video || Though possible, work from Neuros has moved to the new Neros LINK platform. This is a full-blown PC, though at ~$250 has wonderful features for DAV work. Still best to have the front-end camera setup to capture occasional single frames. ||= 2008-12-03 ||= 2009-02-18 ||
 * C3HNOSD2. Display volume information on-screen || OSD audio processor || As above, extending is possible, but extending Neuros TV is more likely ||= 2008-12-02 ||= 2009-02-01 ||
 * C3HNOSD1. Add audio only processing to OSD video menu || OSD ? || Eliminate need to record a video when audio only suffices. Seek way to record without video input. Easy option, using 75ohm stub asked on forum, didn't work to connect camera powered off.

Audio/Video Notes
There is a wonderful tool that allows this MP4 files created by the Neuros OSD to be viewed online without need for special setup on the web server side, called [|VLC]. [|VLC] has versions for Mac OS/X as well as Linux and Windows.

We are looking into a way to update MP4 files, as this is the format we are recording services, so that they immediately load into QuickTime or iTunes or Windows Media Player. Without the software or special hardware to create the special output format at this time, [|VLC] is a very nice small download and highly rated alternative for replay of just about any audio or video formatted file.

Notes from Neuros OSD tests
code Notes with Neuros OSD s/n A589260031A5: 2009-01-21 - setup donated Sony Hi-8 [tape] Handicam camcorder and small tripod in soundroom to record events on stage. - the Sony HandiCam has a very usable remote, though we have no way to pan and tilt the camera without grabbing hold of it on top of the stack of Soundroom mic receivers and mixers - Handicam must be recording to tape to provide a continuous video feed to the Neuros OSD, if not recording it goes into standby mode within 10-15min

2008-12-14 - setup Olympus W10 camera as just a NTSC video camera for the Neuros OSD to record the entire C3H Holiday Pageant - posted audio, video, even at the low (320x240) resolution format created a 330MB MP4 file which is still uploading even after an overnight ftp session (timed out). Audio posted in the evening - Note: many other camcorders recorded the event, need to coordinate and see if pulling audio off the camcorder is better in many ways than pulling off the soundboard

2008-12-02 - records easily enough, but only in MPEG-4 format, option for audio to be AAC or MP3, but have not been able to parse an MP3 file from MPEG-4 video created on OSD with AAC audio format chosen - the audio support is for player only, not recording separately from audio track, posted request - ordered an OSD Lite, will have for testing despite lack of network support NOTE: DO NOT GET AN OSD Lite, it has no network (ethernet) port and is not software upgradable and on old code! - requested id on Neuros Bugzilla to post follow-up request for audio recording. Still image + audio would be great! Posted requeste to forum: http://forums.neurostechnology.com/index.php?topic=7637.msg50193#msg50193 - NCH Software suite has "Switch" application which worked well on XP postprocessing a sample MP4 file, required a few "on demand" updates, but simple to use, http://www.nch.com.au/switch/ NOTE: later this turned into a licensed add-on, WinFF works MUCH better and is well-supported freeware - to extract MP3 audio on Linux, need tool such as Big Extract Audio DVD: http://linux.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Big-Extract-Audio-DVD-37195.shtml

2008-12-01 - takes approx 30-45sec for the LED to light after power on - defaulted to 192.168.1.100 in 192.168.1.x subnet * note this is hardcoded as shown in dmesg output w/ gw=192.168.1.1, changeable from video menu - changed 'root' pwd - added userid 'backup' pwd (same as root) * also created /var/backup fs and chown to backup - no CF support, no CF slot even on documentation, though ref to CF card for more memory - Sans Digital external dual FAT32 fs drive not recognized automount and can't manually mount either using: mount /dev/sdXY /... or mount /dev/hdXY /... - but SD card automounted as /mnt/tmpfs/mount_SD-card and if inserted in USB SD reader, automounts as /mnt/tmpfs/mount_USB - old 28MB MMC card not recognized

- on reboot distinct relay "click" - backups home subdirectory was not preserved over reboot (/var/backups)

- looked at alternatives, none as attractive. J&R Electronics has non-networked version, no good for either 7tronics or C3HUU - B&H has OK price, may order (should have taken Cyber Monday from Radio Shack!)
 * Second unit on order is delayed until perhaps 31Dec from Amazon, argh

code