Chapter 4: Customizing Recording Options

RealProducer comes with a variety of options that allow you to create RealMedia suited to your needs. This chapter discusses how to change different recording preferences, and how to change audio and video capture settings.

Changing RealProducer Preferences

RealProducer gives you the option to modify settings that affect all recording sessions. This section shows you how to change general recording preferences. You use the Preferences dialog box to make these adjustments.

The General page of the Preferences dialog box allows you to change copy protection options, the use of recording wizards, and the temporary storage directory used by RealProducer.

The Preferences Dialog Box - General Page

Copy Protection

By changing copy protection options, you are allowing RealPlayer Plus users to be able to record your RealMedia clip during playback or download your RealMedia clip to their hard drive. If you don't want users to be able to record or download your clips, make sure these options are not selected.

Selecting the Allow Recording preference allows RealPlayer Plus users the option of recording the playback of your RealMedia clip onto their computers. When your clip is played back on a RealPlayer Plus, the user can click the Record button and your clip is saved on the user's machine. Deselecting this preference disables the Record button for RealPlayer Plus users.

Selecting the Allow Download preference gives any user--even those without a RealPlayer--the ability to download your RealMedia clip directly onto their hard drive.

To allow copying of your RealMedia clips:

From the RealProducer main window, choose Preferences from the Options menu.
The Preferences dialog opens.
Click the General tab.
Select Allow Recording if you want RealPlayer Plus users to be able to record your clip.
Select Allow Download if you want users to be able to download your clip to their hard drive.
Click OK to close this dialog.

Recording Wizards

Once you become familiar with the recording process, you can disable the recording wizards and use the New Session dialog to create a new recording session. This preference allows you to easily toggle the wizards on or off.

To enable or disable the recording wizards:

From the RealProducer main window, choose Preferences from the Options menu.
The Preferences dialog opens.
Click the General tab.
Select Use Recording Wizards if you want to use the wizards when setting up a recording session.
This is the default setting.
Deselect this option to turn off the wizards.
When you choose File > New Session from the RealProducer main window, the New Session dialog box opens.
Click OK to close this dialog.

Temporary Storage Directory

During a recording session, RealProducer uses a directory to store media files prior to creating the final RealMedia clip. Using the Preferences dialog box, you can change the directory used for this purpose.

To change the temporary storage directory used by RealProducer:

From the RealProducer main window, choose Preferences from the Options menu.
The Preferences dialog opens.
Click the General tab.
Click the Browse button, select the new temporary storage directory, and click OK.
Click OK to close this dialog.

Changing Audio and Video Capture Settings

When recording from a media device, either to a file or to a live broadcast, your computer must be set up to use the necessary capture card. All audio and video capture cards have different settings; refer to your card's specific documentation for information.

Audio Capture Settings

With RealProducer, you can set the recording volume of the audio capture device.

Adjusting Volume Control

While recording, you can adjust or monitor the volume using the Windows Volume Control window.

To adjust the recording volume:

Select Volume Control from the Options menu.
The Volume Control window opens.
In the Volume Control window, select Properties from the Options menu.
The Properties window displays.
Select Recording to adjust the input recording volume. (The Playback option adjusts the level of the volume you hear while you are recording, not the volume RealProducer uses.)
Select from the list of volume controls the type of inputs you will be using and click OK.
The Recording Control window opens.
Select which recording inputs to use by choosing the Select box for each input.
Adjust the sound level by moving the sliders up or down.
Remember, if the volume is too high, the recorded sound may be clipped and appear distorted. If the volume is too low, it will be difficult to hear. Use the audio level meter in the RealProducer window to monitor the level during encoding.
Close the Recording Control window and return to the RealProducer.

Video Capture Settings

With RealProducer, you can set the following settings for your video capture card: video format, video source, and video compression.

Setting Your Video Card

RealProducer allows you to set how your video capture card creates video input. Every supported capture card works differently, so be sure to refer to your card's documentation.

To change settings for your video capture card:

Select Video Capture Settings from the Options menu.
A drop down list gives you the following options:
- Video Format
- Video Source
- Video Compression
Select an option and adjust the settings according to your video capture card's documentation.