Chapter 3: Recording Tips

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
produce high-quality audio
produce high-quality video

Improving RealProducer Plus Performance

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.

Multiple Streams

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.

Producing High-Quality Audio

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.

General Audio Tips

Follow these tips in order to get the best quality from your different audio sources.

Use high-quality source files or a recording input device.
If you are not doing a live broadcast, capture or "digitize" the sound to a supported file format such as a .wav or .au file whenever possible.
This allows you to use a sound editor to adjust the amplitude of your signal to maximize the available dynamic range. If you do not adjust the signal, the resulting RealMedia file may sound flat.
If your original audio file signal exceeds the acceptable amplitude range, the file may be "clipped." Clipping can give rise to clicks or pops on playback. If your source file contains a clipped signal, your final RealMedia file will have high-frequency background noise or static. Lowering the input volume will help reduce clipping.
When encoding live-source audio, you have less opportunity to manipulate your input signal. Be sure that volume levels are prepared and tested before encoding.
Cut any unnecessarily long silences from the beginning or end of the output file to conserve space.

Audio Sampling Rates

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.

8000 Hz
11025 Hz
16000 Hz
22050 Hz
32000 Hz
44100 Hz

Producing High-Quality Video

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.

Recommended Video Types

In order to get high quality output, your video source should meet the following requirements organized by video type.

QuickTime Files (Linux only)

Use 24-bit RGB uncompressed QuickTime video files.
Use 8-bit or 16-bit mono and stereo audio.

Live Video

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:
- Betacam-SP, also known simply as Beta. This format is common among video production professionals.
- Laserdisc or DVD
- S-VHS or Super-VHS
- VHS
Video playback devices commonly have two types of video outputs, S-video and composite. S-video produces better results.