This is a basic overview of capturing and encoding high-quality RealVideo files. For more detailed information on system requirements and content creation, see the RealVideo Content Creation Guide.

Capturing Video

Source Files
To create the best possible streaming video, you must start with the best possible source material. Different video formats yield different qualities when digitized. Because the RealVideo compression algorithms are lossy, some of the information contained in your original input is not included in the reconstructed signal sent to RealPlayer.

The common video formats in order of quality are:

• Betacam-sp also known simply as Beta. This format is common among video production professionals.
• Laserdisc
• S-VHS or Super-VHS
• VHS

Satellite television services (e.g. Direct TV) have extremely high quality video. Their feed quality typically exceeds that of Laserdisc.

Computer Hardware
When encoding video, the faster the computer, the faster the video. Capturing video puts a burden on your computer’s ability to write the captured video to your hard drive. Seagate manufactures special hard drives for capturing video called AV drives. If you do not use one of these special drives, frames may be dropped during the capture process when the hard drive re-calibrates itself periodically. If you experience dropped frames with a standard drive, you can re-capture the video.

Video Capture Cards
Before you can encode RealVideo, you must capture (digitize) your source material to your computer. To digitize video you need a video capture card. In general, any card that supports Video for Windows can be used.

Live Encoding
The quality of live encoding depends on the power of your computer system. Encoding at higher quality takes longer and requires more computing resources than encoding at a lower quality. Slower machines are capable of a good result in Slide Show mode, at 1 fps or less.

Encoding Files to RealVideo

Source Files
RealVideo content may be created either from previously recorded digital video files or from an external video source. The Encoder does not support compressed input files. Use a third-party editing utility to convert non-supported formats to a supported format. The following inputs are supported. Currently RealVideo supports AVI and QuickTime (or .mov) input files. For best quality, we recommend using uncompressed files with a 24-bit color depth. RealVideo Encoder does support compressed AVI files.

Image Size
RealVideo Encoder 1.0 beta supports any size image. The most standard size is 176 pixels by 144 pixels.

Encoding Templates
RealVideo Encoder has several templates for creating RealVideo files depending on your source file and desired result. You can also create customized templates by adjusting the audio codec, video bitrate, total bitrate quality, and frame speed to meet your particular needs. Below are the default settings for some common content types found in the RealVideo Encoder. If one of the following templates does not achieve the affect you are looking for, try another or try creating a new template based on a pre-defined template and modifying the settings.

Template Name	Audio Codec	Video Bit Rate (Kbps)	Total Bit Rate (Kbps)	Video Quality	Frame Rate (fps)
High Action 28.8 w/Music	8 Kbps music	11.0	19	100	.25
Hich Action 28.8 w/Voice	6.5 Kbps voice	12.5	19	100	.25
Music Video 28.8, Empasize Audio	12 Kbps music	7	19	100	.25
Music Video 28.8, Emphasize Video	8 Kbps music	11	19	100	Optimize
Talking Heads 28.8	6.5 Kbps Voice	12.5	19	100	Optimize
High Action 56 (Fractal)	8.5 Kbps Voice	36.5	45	70	10
High Action 56 w/Music	16 Kbps music, High response	29	45	100	Optimize
High Action 56 w/Voice	8.5 Kbps voice	36.5	45	100	Optimize
Music Video 56, Emphasize Audio	16 Kbps music, High response	29	45	100	Optimize
Music Vicdeo 56, Emphasize Video	12 Kbps music	33	45	100	Optimize
Talking Heads 56	8.5 Kbps voice	36.5	45	100	Optimize
High Action 112 (Fractal)	12 Kbps music	78	90	70	15