Digitizing Audio and Video

CDH can work with both audio and video formats. We have equipment for digital formats like CDs and DVDs, as well as analog formats such as audio and VHS video cassettes.

Primarily, the media we process is prepared for "streaming" delivery, meaning students can listen to or view the a/v files while on-line, but they cannot download them or save them to their computer, easily.

We accept a number of audio and video file types, however .wav, .aiff, mp3, and quicktime movie files (.mov) generally provide the greatest flexibility in maintaining playback quality, while minimizing files size for quicker streaming. When preparing a/v materials for streaming, we create files for both broadband and dial-up network connections, so students who only have modem/slower access can also access media files from off-campus.

In general, best to consult with your departmental ITC.

Generally, the types of media we process fall into one of two categories: copyrighted materials, and non-published materials authored by the instructor themselves. To post copyrighted materials--such as published instructional foreign language audio/video cassettes--permission from the publisher is required. UCLA and CDH strictly adhere to Fair Use guidelines, and you can consult on-line materials, as well as your ITC, to determine copyright clearance issues for specific media you would like to use. Materials that you create in-class using audigy, or your own digital recorder do not need copyright clearance.

Along with the examples Hiromi showed us, the most common types of A/V materials used in Foreign Language classrooms include:

Along with leaving enough time to arrange for publisher permission if your file-type requires it, please keep in mind processing media files can take up to a full-working week, and generally takes approximately two working days.

Along with processing media files, ITCs can also teach you how to digitize your files, if you would like to work at your own pace, or if your workload dictates it etc. CDH has a media station open for instructor use. You can reserve the media station for 2hr blocks, through your ITC.

In general, consulting your ITC with your plans to use A/V materials is a good first step, and will help stream-line the process for your particular needs.