How To Capture and Encode Video / Audio

The easiest and least expensive way to start video podcasting is to use a web cam. Most web cam packages have software that allows a user the ability to record video using standard MPEG video. These video files can later be edited using free video editing tools.

Windows XP / Vista / 7

Windows users can use free software distributed by Microsoft to capture and encode video and audio.

Windows Media Encoder 9:
www.microsoft.com/downloads

Windows Media Encoder software help documents:
www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/knowledgecenter

Windows Media Encoder help forums:
www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/community

Getting started with Windows Media Encoder:
www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/howto


Linux, *BSD. Open Solaris

*Nix users can use Open Source software to capture and encode video and audio.

Video Lan Client

VLC download:
www.videolan.org/vlc

VLC user guide:
wiki.videolan.org/Documentation


Free Video Production Guide

Free video production guide:
(This is a PDF file that will require the use of PDF reader software.)
web.mit.edu/techtv/videoprodguide

Free video production guide:
www.current.com/items