Campus Multimedia Resources
If you do not have your own firewire-equipped camcorder, there are two on-campus options available for free camera check-out.
Option 1: Murrow School
The Murrow School has three "backpack journalism kits" that include laptop computers and Flip Cams, available for student check-out in my office (MURE 213).
If you are interested in checking one of these items out, please be aware of the following:
1) Students are responsible for the safe return (in working order) of the equipment that they check out.
2) For camcorder checkouts, you are responsible for procuring your own video tape.
3) Students are limited to checking out items for one day at a time (unless previous permission has been granted). Typically, equipment is due back by noon the next day. Weekend checkouts are permitted assuming that the cameras are returned promptly on Monday morning.
4) Please return all items fully charged, if possible.
If you are interested in checking out an item from the Murrow School, then you can do so through me by contacting me during class with your request and then arranging for pick-up in MURE 213. There will be a white binder with the appropriate check-out form that you will need to fill out for the equipment.
Currently, our equipment is limited to the laptops, camcorder, battery and battery charger. For supplementary microphones and/or firewire cables, you might want to consider use of Academic Media Services.
Option 2: Academic Media Services
The WSU Academic Media Services department has video cameras, digital voice recorders, microphones and firewire cables that you can check out for use in developing your own audio and video content for the Web.
AMS is located at 150 Holland on campus at the side of the Holland Library facing Terrell Mall. Click here for a map.
As part of this class, you are able to get FREE access to this equipment. Click here for a complete list of equipment available for checkout. Note the rental price list only applies to checkout that is NOT related to a class project. Be sure to reserve/ask for a DV-based camcorder that has firewire output. They also have larger cameras without firewire that are not appropriate for the class project.
Also, please be aware of the following:
- All equipment is due back to the AMS offices by 1 p.m. the following day. No exceptions.
- You will need to show a student ID and identify yourself as part of this class in order to check out equipment.
- You will need to sign a statement of responsibility when checking out equipment. This ensures that you will be responsible for the care and safe return of the item(s) while you are using them.
The Academic Media Services department is open Mon.-Fri. from 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Due to the large demand for equipment (it is used by the entire campus -- not just our class), it might be a good idea to reserve your items ahead of time. You can call the department at 335-7336 or stop by the offices at 150 Holland for advance reservations.
Our lab computers accept firewire connection cables that will allow you to transfer both audio and video from your camcorder directly to the computer hard drive.
For some of our projects, you will need to check out a camcorder, microphone and firewire connection cable.
EQUIPMENT
AUDIO
If you are interested in recording audio only, you have several options. Many computers have a mic jack that allows you to directly connect a microphone into the computer for recording via Adobe Audition, Audacity and other programs. However, you might also choose to record audio externally and then "import" it into the audio editing programs.
Some students may choose to do this via use of a camcorder. You simply extract the audio from the videotaped footage and import the audio into the editing program. We will be discussing this technique in class.
Another external audio recording option is the Zoom H2 Voice Recorder, which is available for checkout from Academic Media Services. Recorded audio is stored digitally and can be transferred to a computer via a Flash memory card or via a transfer cable. If you need instructions on how to use this device, the manual is available online (.pdf file) at this link:
Zoom H2 Voice Recorder Manual
In some cases, you may be given a different model of digital audio recorder, such as the M-Audio MicroTrack II. If you get this model of recorder, please note that you may need to do the following for your PC before being able to transfer your audio recordings from the device to your computer:
1) Plug in the device's accompanying USB transfer cable to your computer. Make sure the device is "on" and it should detect it. At this point, you can navigate to it as if it were an external hard drive to transfer the files to your local computer.
2) If it does not "detect" your MicroTrack II, then you may need to install the appropriate driver matched to your device and computer model. See drivers at this link. (You'll need to choose your computer type [Mac or PC] and operating system and then it will give you the appropriate .zip file containing the driver.
A full manual for this device is available here:
M-Audio MicroTrack II Recorder Manual
VIDEO
When working with video equipment, there are a few things that you will need to consider. If possible, try to get a Mini-DV or Hi-8 camcorder and a 4-PIN TO 4-PIN FIREWIRE CABLE.
Here is a picture of the firewire connection cable:
If you are checking out equipment from Academic Media Services, you must specify the 4-pin to 4-pin firewire if you are using the class lab computers. They have another type of firewire that is a 6-pin (larger) connector that you might get if you don't specify 4-pin.
If you are editing at home, you might want to check the size of your connector before you check out the cable.
You can find out more about firewire on Wikipedia.
AMS does not provide free blank video tapes. You will need to purchase one from them (about $7.50). Depending on the camera type that you check out, you may need to use either a Mini-DV or Hi-8/8MM type of video tape.
You can also find these tapes at the campus bookstore, Wal-Mart, ShopKo and other local retail outlets.
As a side note, the AMS department also has two dedicated video editing workstations that use Pinnacle Studio software. Although we will be training on Adobe Premiere using our in-class terminals, it is worth noting that this resource is available for you (if you choose to use it). The video editing interface of Adobe Premiere is similar to Pinnacle Studio -- and they have a "how-to" guide there that is useful for beginners.
If you are interested in checking out an item from the Murrow School, then you can do so through me by contacting me during class with your request and then arranging for pick-up in MURE 213. There will be a white binder with the appropriate check-out form that you will need to fill out for the equipment.
Currently, our equipment is limited to the laptops, camcorder, battery and battery charger. For supplementary microphones and/or firewire cables, you might want to consider use of Academic Media Services.
Option 2: Academic Media Services
The WSU Academic Media Services department has video cameras, digital voice recorders, microphones and firewire cables that you can check out for use in developing your own audio and video content for the Web.
AMS is located at 150 Holland on campus at the side of the Holland Library facing Terrell Mall. Click here for a map.
As part of this class, you are able to get FREE access to this equipment. Click here for a complete list of equipment available for checkout. Note the rental price list only applies to checkout that is NOT related to a class project. Be sure to reserve/ask for a DV-based camcorder that has firewire output. They also have larger cameras without firewire that are not appropriate for the class project.
Also, please be aware of the following:
- All equipment is due back to the AMS offices by 1 p.m. the following day. No exceptions.
- You will need to show a student ID and identify yourself as part of this class in order to check out equipment.
- You will need to sign a statement of responsibility when checking out equipment. This ensures that you will be responsible for the care and safe return of the item(s) while you are using them.
The Academic Media Services department is open Mon.-Fri. from 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Due to the large demand for equipment (it is used by the entire campus -- not just our class), it might be a good idea to reserve your items ahead of time. You can call the department at 335-7336 or stop by the offices at 150 Holland for advance reservations.
Our lab computers accept firewire connection cables that will allow you to transfer both audio and video from your camcorder directly to the computer hard drive.
For some of our projects, you will need to check out a camcorder, microphone and firewire connection cable.
EQUIPMENT
AUDIO
Some students may choose to do this via use of a camcorder. You simply extract the audio from the videotaped footage and import the audio into the editing program. We will be discussing this technique in class.
Another external audio recording option is the Zoom H2 Voice Recorder, which is available for checkout from Academic Media Services. Recorded audio is stored digitally and can be transferred to a computer via a Flash memory card or via a transfer cable. If you need instructions on how to use this device, the manual is available online (.pdf file) at this link:
Zoom H2 Voice Recorder Manual
1) Plug in the device's accompanying USB transfer cable to your computer. Make sure the device is "on" and it should detect it. At this point, you can navigate to it as if it were an external hard drive to transfer the files to your local computer.
2) If it does not "detect" your MicroTrack II, then you may need to install the appropriate driver matched to your device and computer model. See drivers at this link. (You'll need to choose your computer type [Mac or PC] and operating system and then it will give you the appropriate .zip file containing the driver.
A full manual for this device is available here:
M-Audio MicroTrack II Recorder Manual
VIDEO
When working with video equipment, there are a few things that you will need to consider. If possible, try to get a Mini-DV or Hi-8 camcorder and a 4-PIN TO 4-PIN FIREWIRE CABLE.
Here is a picture of the firewire connection cable:
If you are checking out equipment from Academic Media Services, you must specify the 4-pin to 4-pin firewire if you are using the class lab computers. They have another type of firewire that is a 6-pin (larger) connector that you might get if you don't specify 4-pin.
If you are editing at home, you might want to check the size of your connector before you check out the cable.
You can find out more about firewire on Wikipedia.
AMS does not provide free blank video tapes. You will need to purchase one from them (about $7.50). Depending on the camera type that you check out, you may need to use either a Mini-DV or Hi-8/8MM type of video tape.
You can also find these tapes at the campus bookstore, Wal-Mart, ShopKo and other local retail outlets.
As a side note, the AMS department also has two dedicated video editing workstations that use Pinnacle Studio software. Although we will be training on Adobe Premiere using our in-class terminals, it is worth noting that this resource is available for you (if you choose to use it). The video editing interface of Adobe Premiere is similar to Pinnacle Studio -- and they have a "how-to" guide there that is useful for beginners.
