Viewing and Importing video clips taken with the JVC Everio HD camcorder (available from TTL)

 

Let’s say you or your students used one of the new JVC Everio HD camcorders available from the Teaching Technology Lab in the School of Education, you’ve copied the file to your hard drive but your computer does not play the file at all or correctly (i.e., no sound). What’s going on?

Answer:

JVC uses a proprietary file format called MOD (a mpeg-2 variation) that cannot be played correctly with the standard media players on a PC or Mac.  In order for convert the file to a more common format that is viewable (mp4, mpeg, mpeg2, avi, mov, etc.), you EITHER need to use the proprietary video editing software that comes on a CD with the camcorder (PowerDirector) OR use a different video editing software, such as iMovie ’08 or Sony Vegas Video.

1.     Connect the camcorder to your MAC or PC using the USB.

2.     Open the flip screen of camcorder and select Playback on PC (even when on a Mac).

3.     Your computer should recognize the camcorder as a new hard drive.

4.     Look for the SD_Video folder to find your video clips in MOD format.

5.     Import the file(s) to the video editing software.

After you have imported and edited the clips, you need to export or render them into the desired format.

In our tests, this process was simpler on the Mac with iMovie. Check out this YouTube video for more information:

 

Note:  For faculty and associate instructors, feel free to stop by Instructional Consulting for more details or help with this issue.

Oncourse: Forums

 Q: “I created a forum in Oncourse but my students can’t see it. What’s going on?”

Let’s say you want your students to have a discussion outside of class and created a forum on Oncourse. Although you (the instructor) can view the forum, the student states that he or she is unable to see it.  What is going on?

——

ANSWER:

In order for your students to see an Oncourse forum, two steps are necessary.

• 1. Create the forum (which is a container for topics)

      AND

• 2. Create, at least, one Topic within the forum (this is where the discussion will take place)

How to add a Forum and topic:

Click here to view a short video tutorial that helps you through the process or view the Oncourse Help article and follow the steps. 

Note: To see whether your students can see the forum and topic, it’s always a good practice to check the student view. This can be done by selecting “Enter student view” on the left toolbar.

Checking out Equipment / Technology

Q:  I need to borrow a digital camcorder or some other technology?

—–

ANSWER:   Our office does not loan or checkout technology.  However, there are several resources on campus for faculty to check things out:

• Teaching Technology Lab (TTL)
  • Location: School of Education, room 2010
  • See the links above for equipment information, hours, and policies.
     
• Media & Reserve Services
  • Location: Herman B Wells Library, E044
  • See the links above for equipment information, hours, and policies.
• Educational Technology Services (ETS)
  • Location: School of Education, room 2040
  • See the links above for equipment information, hours, and policies.

Digital video conversion

Q: I need a clip from a VHS, DVD or some other source converted to a digital video format (i.e., quicktime, mp4, wmv).  Can you help, and what is the process?

——

ANSWER:   Yes, we can help!  Typically we have a 48-hour minimum turnaround on simple digital video projects.  If video editing is needed we may need additional time depending on details.  We are also happy to train faculty and instructors to provide you with basic digital video skills.

Come into the IC and talk to us if you are interested in using digital video in your teaching!