I've just been told that I can't use .mp4 format for producing my Camtasia videos because our customers computers don't support .mp4 and that they would be opening from their browser that doesn't support .mp4, unless Articulate converts it into something different once it's imported. I don't understand all that. I just know that it works for me.
If this is true, is there another way I can import Camtasia video into Articulate?
How long is your screencast? Since .mp4 isn't an option, I'd recommend trying .flvs over .swfs if your movies are longer than a minute or so. The .swf files may be smaller, but .flvs generally retain better quality for longer files. Again, test both outputs, but either will work well in Presenter.
You should also set the video to synchronise with player rather than play independently.
And to answer your question David, I have several screencasts that I'm importing and they range from 1 to 9 minutes. I don't know why we have so many limitations, but I'm hoping the swf solution works now that I'm so far into the Articulate development. This is the first time I'm using Articulate for a course.
Hmmmm...720 pixels by 540 pixels. I recorded and produced all my videos 980 x 562 because I'm not using the sidebar in Articulate. Is this going to be a problem? Am I able to resize when I produce at the smaller size without affecting quality?
Hey Tanya - That size is fine you don't show the sidebar. You can set your slide to change views automatically in the Slide Properties window. Or you can instruct your learners to click the change view button.
Check out this example of full-sized screencasts inserted into Presenter. Slide 1 includes some basic instructions for using the change view button and slide 4 includes a full screen video. I didn't enable the auto-resizing in this example, but it's an option if you want it.
Oh boy...another problem. I was told I can't save file to Flash Player 6,0,79 or lower (and ActionScript 2.0 or lower). Therefore, if this is mandatory that leaves me no options. Can't use mp4, flv, or swf. What's the chance of using wmv?
This is what I was told "We cannot publish Camtasia to a low enough version of the Flash Player to accommodate their recommendations (Flash Player 6,0,79)".
The Flash player version isn't an issue as much as the ActionScript version of the published .swf file. Have you tried inserting a Camtasia published .swf file and inserting into your course? Even if the Camtasia published .swf is using ActionScript 3, you can insert it using a local Web Object. That would work.
Another option would be to publish your Camtasia recording to mp4 and then use something like Format Factory to convert to a .swf file. That too, should work.
Hi David. My understanding is that SWF videos produced by Camtasia do not contain ActionScript--as long as no playback controls are selected in Camtasia. Is that no longer the case (at least it used to be that way)?
If that still holds true, selecting no playback controls in Camtasia takes ActionScript out of the equation.
@Tanya - When you get a chance, can you share a recorded, published .swf movie with us? Just some demo content would be fine... Anything that we can use on our end to insert and test in Studio.
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You can publish to swf. Use no controls under the controller setting though.
If published as a swf, do I then have to insert as a web object? I thought there used to be some kind of issue with that.
You should be able to insert a Camtasia generated SWF with the Articulate/Insert Flash Movie feature without any issues.
How long is your screencast? Since .mp4 isn't an option, I'd recommend trying .flvs over .swfs if your movies are longer than a minute or so. The .swf files may be smaller, but .flvs generally retain better quality for longer files. Again, test both outputs, but either will work well in Presenter.
You should also set the video to synchronise with player rather than play independently.
We also can't use flvs.Will try swfs. Thanks for all your help.
And to answer your question David, I have several screencasts that I'm importing and they range from 1 to 9 minutes. I don't know why we have so many limitations, but I'm hoping the swf solution works now that I'm so far into the Articulate development. This is the first time I'm using Articulate for a course.
Constraints = opportunities
Here's some general info on using Flash (.swf, flv) movies in Presenter.
Hmmmm...720 pixels by 540 pixels. I recorded and produced all my videos 980 x 562 because I'm not using the sidebar in Articulate. Is this going to be a problem? Am I able to resize when I produce at the smaller size without affecting quality?
Hey Tanya - That size is fine you don't show the sidebar. You can set your slide to change views automatically in the Slide Properties window. Or you can instruct your learners to click the change view button.
Check out this example of full-sized screencasts inserted into Presenter. Slide 1 includes some basic instructions for using the change view button and slide 4 includes a full screen video. I didn't enable the auto-resizing in this example, but it's an option if you want it.
That's great! Thanks.
Oh boy...another problem. I was told I can't save file to Flash Player 6,0,79 or lower (and ActionScript 2.0 or lower). Therefore, if this is mandatory that leaves me no options. Can't use mp4, flv, or swf. What's the chance of using wmv?
Articulate publishes swf files as Action Script 2.
I was told that users with newer versions of Flash or using new versions of actionscript would be unable to view movies.
This is what I was told "We cannot publish Camtasia to a low enough version of the Flash Player to accommodate their recommendations (Flash Player 6,0,79)".
Hi Tanya,
The Flash player version isn't an issue as much as the ActionScript version of the published .swf file. Have you tried inserting a Camtasia published .swf file and inserting into your course? Even if the Camtasia published .swf is using ActionScript 3, you can insert it using a local Web Object. That would work.
Another option would be to publish your Camtasia recording to mp4 and then use something like Format Factory to convert to a .swf file. That too, should work.
David
Thanks so much David. I'll try these things tomorrow and pray something works. I'll keep you posted.
No problem, Tanya. You're using Camtasia 7, right?
Hi David. My understanding is that SWF videos produced by Camtasia do not contain ActionScript--as long as no playback controls are selected in Camtasia. Is that no longer the case (at least it used to be that way)?
If that still holds true, selecting no playback controls in Camtasia takes ActionScript out of the equation.
Thanks,
Phil
@Phil - that's what I thought, too.
@Tanya - When you get a chance, can you share a recorded, published .swf movie with us? Just some demo content would be fine... Anything that we can use on our end to insert and test in Studio.
I am using Camtasia 7. If I have time to alter a recording, I'll send something tomorrow. I'd have to conceal all identifiable information.
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