Because there is no single best process for delivering all types of streaming audio and video, this chapter shows you various tips on how to get the most out of your RealProducer Plus recording session.
This chapter discusses how to improve RealProducer Plus performance, use RealProducer Plus more effectively, produce high-quality audio and video, and edit file information.
A number of factors can influence how much of your system's resources are used during a recording session. Use these tips to get the best performance possible.
We recommend that you do not use RealProducer Plus to resize your video when you are capturing live video input. If you want to change the video size, set the size using your video capture card.
Generally, the more streams you create in a SureStream clip, the more processing power you need. Recording for more than two or three customized target audiences that each use a broad range audio codecs, or creating a 5.0 compatible stream can all effect performance.
Use the Statistics dialog to monitor performance, and then adjust target audience settings to get the performance you want. See "Monitoring Real Time Performance" and "Customizing Target Audience Settings" for more information.
By disabling the input source window, the output source window, and the audio level meter during live recording, you can lower the amount of processing power needed to record. Consequently, you can decrease the time it takes to record your clip.
Viewers that are currently active are designated with a checkmark:
RealProducer Plus has features that allow you to more easily use RealProducer Plus and increase efficiency while recording your media clips. Here you will learn how to view different video outputs and drag-and-drop clips into RealProducer Plus.
Even though only one Output Viewer is shown in the main window, you can use it to view the different video streams that are being created when you record a video clip. Using this feature, you can monitor the true output as it will appear to the audience.
The video stream with the highest bandwidth appears in the Output Viewer.
A menu lists all video streams being creating in this recording session.
RealProducer Plus supports drag-and-drop recording. This feature allows you to quickly convert an input audio or video file into RealMedia.
This opens a new session with path and file name information entered appropriately.
You can also record multiple files at once using RealProducer Plus. Select all input files that you want to convert to RealMedia, and drag them onto the RealProducer Plus main window.
This section describes how to successfully create quality sound for RealMedia clips. It gives you overall audio tips, describes audio sampling rates, and shows you how to use the audio level meter.
Follow these tips in order to get the best quality from your audio files.
The following sampling rates for your source audio are supported for this version of the product. For fuller sound, use the higher sampling rates and a better audio codec.
While you record RealMedia clips, you can monitor the Audio Level to be sure you are encoding the optimal dynamic range. Green indicates a normal reading. Red warns that you are close to an over-modulated input. The best sound quality will occur when the top red bar is often lit but the clipping indicator (the red light above the meter) is never lit.
Clear the clipping indicator during recording by clicking on it. This allows you to track if audio clipping is occurring without watching the audio level constantly.
This section describes how to successfully create quality video for RealMedia clips. Follow these tips in order to get the best quality from the different types of video sources.
When using an external video source, start with the best possible quality. In particular, different video formats yield different qualities when captured (digitized).
The common video formats in order of quality are:
Video playback devices commonly have two types of video outputs, S-video and composite. S-video produces better results.
In order to get high quality output, your video source should meet the following requirements organized by video type.
RealProducer Plus gives you the ability to change information about a saved RealMedia file. You can change either clip information (title, author, copyright, description, or keywords) or file properties (allow recording, allow download, indexing, and audience rating).
This feature is useful if you want to create a media clip, but don't want to enter keywords or a description. You can then add them at a later date.
The Edit RealMedia File dialog opens with any current information listed.
A new feature in this version of RealProducer Plus is the ability to add keywords to your clip. The keywords allow you to give search engines a way to recognize your streaming media.
Since RealMedia clips do not contain text like normal Web pages, the only way that your audience can search for your clip is through the keywords that you specify. Therefore, choosing the best keywords is vital. Three to four words should be all you need.
For example, if you are creating a RealVideo clip of ABC Corporation's CEO, Pat Jones, giving the fourth-quarter financial report, the keywords might be:
ABC Corporation, Pat Jones, Q4, report, investments, finance