Making a video-based course that isn't HUGE
Dec 11, 2014
By
Steve Fricke
I'm currently creating a course in Articulate Storyline. My original plan was to create a PowerPoint with animation and graphics, write a script, and use Camtasia record the PowerPoint with myself narrating what's happening on the screen.
The problem is, the video thus produced for a 1-hour course is too big for the bandwidth I've been allotted. So, I plan to use Storyline instead.
I want to import the PowerPoint and then record the narration, which would accompany what's occurring on the screen.
Here's my question: To keep file size down, what's the best way for me to do this? I can record the audio with Camtasia or Articulate, but it has to sync with the animation on the screen.
3 Replies
The size of your output isn't necessarily going to be the same as the size of your source video when all is said and done. For example, a 1GB source file could be brought down 10 to 20 times when converted to MP4. Therefore you might not even need to change your strategy.
But to answer your question: One way to do that is exactly how you described, importing the PPT to Storyline and manually recording the narration while a preview of the course plays on screen.
Another way to do this is by using Replay.
One potential issue to your alternative process though, is that a Powerpoint presentation usually relies on manual user advancement. To sync every slide together would require you to eliminate this, or split your audio to (many) smaller pieces.
Hope this helps,
Alex
Thanks, Alex. I actually wanted to advance the PowerPoint myself, since I will be doing the narration, but I realize I could achieve the same effect in a different way, using Articulate.
As for Replay, I haven’t used it yet. But it makes sense to consider it for what I’m doing, so I’m going to look at the Getting Started videos on it today.
Also, I neglected to mention that I have Adobe Audition, which I’ve found to be a good audio editor.
I’ve been leaning towards recording everything in Camtasia, since I’m accustomed to using it and it is an excellent, robust tool. Then, I would publish the output first as an MP4. If I then insert that video into Articulate and publish it—and if it does not go above our 80MG threshold—great.
If it does turn out to be too large, however, then I would republish the Camtasia recording as audio only. Then, I would have to sync that recording with the PowerPoint I imported into Articulate. I’m pretty sure this second approach would keep the file size within our specified limitations.
But again, I’m first going to look at Replay. Thanks again for your reply! :)
I would suggest placing your video files somewhere where they can be called out to with a web object instead of embedding your video file. An added benefit of this is that you can refresh your content by re-uploading your video file instead of cracking open and re-embedding, then re-publishing your course. I use JW Player for this.
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