Create Online Streaming Video
It can be very easy to create online streaming video, especially if you use a service like Google Video or YouTube. These services allow you to upload almost any video clip, and it will be automatically converted to a streaming format.
In return for the simplicity of YouTube, you must give up some technical control to create online streaming video. Google Video and YouTube don't give you any choices about how the streaming video is formatted. It's a "one-size-fits-all" approach to create online streaming video which may not always give the best results. In order to produce the best possible streaming video you will have to do the encoding yourself. This "how to streaming video" will cover all the steps from recording a video clip to releasing it on the Internet.
Recording Video
If you're taking the trouble to create online streaming video, you want it to look good, right? To get professional results, you should use professional techniques. This includes the use of auxiliary equipment such as lighting and external microphones.
Lighting in particular makes a big difference when you create online streaming video. Lighting should be defused by bouncing it off an object such as a wall or a lighting umbrella. Direct lights create harsh shadows which are usually undesirable, but can be effective in certain situations.
External microphones can do wonders for your audio track, especially if you are shooting in an area with a lot of background noise. Small, wireless microphones can be attached to lapels, or if you have an extra set of hands you could use a microphone boom.
Anytime you create online streaming video, keep in mind that compression is one of the most important factors. Video compression works by discarding parts of the video image and replacing them with an instruction set. The parts of a video which are most easily discarded are stationary images, so if your video is primarily static (like a "talking heads" clip) it will compress very well. High levels of compression gives you more options in terms of image dimensions and quality, so you should try to minimize motion in your video.
The easiest way to reduce motion is to use a tripod. In fact, hand-held camera should never be used to create online streaming videos. The motion introduced by hand movement creates a "busy" video that does not compress well. Also, it looks unprofessional.
Background motion is also a consideration. Do not film your subject with a busy background such as a street scene with lots of people walking past.
Data Transfer
If you have shot your video in a digital format, you can transfer the video to your computer with a FireWire or USB interface. If you have used an older analog camcorder, you must use a video capture card on your computer. This converts the analog video into digital format.
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