Cross-media advice

This section deals with the creation of cross-media content (moving images, audio or still images) for research, teaching and learning purposes. These technical advisory papers are targeted towards readers will have hands-on responsibility for building new collections.

• Analogue Film Types Used for Still and Moving images

  This document looks at the history of photographic and movie film and how and why the film type has altered over time. The document also contains some frequently asked questions on film types and handling.

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• Audio/Video Production: Recording Lectures, Seminars and Events

  The principles and practice of location recording of sound and video for educational use.

  In this paper we discuss requirements and issues to consider when recording events. We look at both sound-only and combined sound-and-vision recording. The discussion focuses on considerations applicable to any scenario the reader may encounter; for issues specific to different types of event the reader is directed to the appropriate Basic Guide.

  We conclude with some example scenarios.

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• Basic Guide to Accessibility

  This paper looks at the issue of accessibility. The topic is introduced and defined and then the term 'reasonable adjustment' is explained. The advantages of digital media for accessibility are discussed, followed by sets of guidelines and a basic accessibility check that can be performed on existing documents.

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• Basic Guide to Videoing Audiovisual Materials

  This document is intended for users who wish to record teaching materials such as those used during a lecture. This includes both projected materials, materials shown on a television screen and printed materials. It covers everything the novice should need to know from the first step to the last.

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• Burning audio CDs, video and slideshow DVDs - Mac OSX

  Burning your photos or movie files to a disc sounds, on paper, like a relatively simple task, but can often turn out to be a confusing and time consuming one. Choosing the right file types and knowing which software to use is often never clear and instructions on the simplest method to create CDs and DVDs on the whole do not come pre-installed on a computer. With these things in mind, this document provides step-by-step guides and practical advice on how to create audio CDs and video DVDs using the simplest approaches on Macintosh machines (see also our guide for Windows).

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• Burning audio CDs, video and slideshow DVDs - Windows

  Burning your photos or movie files to a disc sounds, on paper, like a relatively simple task, but can often turn out to be a confusing and time consuming one. Choosing the right file types and knowing which software to use is often never clear and instructions on the simplest method to create CDs and DVDs on the whole do not come pre-installed on a computer. With these things in mind, this document provides step-by-step guides and practical advice on how to create audio CDs and video DVDs using the simplest approaches on Windows machines. (see also our guide for Mac OSX).

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• Choosing a File Name

  File naming is a vital first step for those beginning to digitise. This document examines planning and using an effective file naming system when managing digital files. This paper highlights the advantages of using the 8.3 convention and looks at some options when naming derivative, surrogate files.

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• Copyright and Other Rights for Creating Time-based Media Resources

  This advice document provides some basic information on rights issues associated with creating time-based digital media resources. By time-based we mean resources that change over time - including spoken audio, music, animation, and video - as opposed to still images or screen shots, which do not change over time. Rights issues include copyright, recording rights, moral rights and performance rights.

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• Designing Learning Experiences

  Once you scratch at the surface of producing learning materials, it quickly becomes apparent that there are many elements to their creation. An overarching theme outlined here is that of “designing the learner experience”. This introductory advice document examines the notion that building a resource is akin to the process of an architect designing a building where context is paramount.

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• Free Online Screencasting Tools

  A guide to free online services which enable you to use your internet browser to capture on-screen computer activity, along with input from peripherals like microphones and webcams, and which offer users the ability to download and/or share the resultant videos in a variety of ways and formats. This advice document will be of interest to those new to screencasting, who would like to try it out with simple tools which require no purchase or installation. Online screencast services will also interest experienced screencasters needing access to screencast tools 'in the field', and the quick publishing and sharing tools which accompany them.

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• Introduction to Lenses

  This document looks at the camera lens (stills or video) and how it contributes to the quality of the photographic image. It describes the component parts of the lens and how they contribute to the final image. The document should also help the reader to select a specific lens for a task.

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• Light Sources for Still and Moving Images

  The word photography means drawing with light, without light it is impossible to record a video or still image. So lighting whether in a classroom, office or dedicated photographic studio is an essential component in a photograph or video. The captured image is a record of the light that is emitted, reflected or absorbed by the subject. With a basic understanding of light and how it can be modified the photographer or filmmaker should be able to improve the appearance of their images. This document will look at commonly used light sources and how the user can get the most from them.

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• Open Source and Free Software Directory

  The following tables comprise a selective guide to various free and open source software tools for a variety of digital media applications.

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• Overview of JISC Digital Media Materials for those involved in Business and Community Engagement

  This guide provides an overview of the JISC Digital Media website, highlighting materials we think may be of particular use to HE/FE staff involved in business or community engagement (BCE).

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• Preparing for an Interview

  Aside from correctly addressing the technical concerns when conducting an interview, the success of a good interview also relies heavily on the interaction between the interviewer and the subject and the pre-production preparation undertaken. This document aims to provide some useful tips and thoughts to help you enhance your interviews and create a relaxed and productive conversational environment.

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• Screencasting Workflow

  An overview of all the elements involved in producing screencasts at different levels of complexity, and for a variety of educational purposes. We examine some technical tools and methods for screencast creation from the ground up, and for those already familiar with screencasting there are ideas and tips for improving quality and effectiveness.

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• Stands and Supports for Still and Moving Images

  One of the easiest ways to improve the quality of still or moving images is by using a support. Supports and stands can reduce or eliminate vibration or movement which otherwise would degrade the quality of the captured media. Supports come in all shapes and sizes: this document looks at a variety of support types including tripods, copy-stands, clamps and brackets as well as improvised solutions.

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• The Video Enabled Digital SLR

  Until very recently if you needed to shoot video you purchased a video camera and if you needed to shoot stills you bought a stills camera. However, over the last couple of years manufacturers have started to release stills SLR cameras that can also capture video. With many of the middle and higher range camera models now offering video capture we should look at this new feature and try to identify its strengths and weaknesses. This document is aimed at anyone who has or is about to purchase an SLR camera and needs to know if the video option is of use to them.

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• Using Multimedia in a PDF

  PDF files have long been used for their versatility and convenience, working well both on the web and in print. While predominantly text and image based, there is also the opportunity to use video and audio. This advice document outlines the considerations for using and embedding multimedia in PDFs.

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• Vector Graphics Resources

  The links listed here have been gathered to provide a useful collection of vector graphics resources.

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