Burning 'dem Discs

Yesterday, I gave my computer's DVD writers a real work out. I spent most of the day working on both professional and personal projects.

CREATING FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES

I spent the better part of the morning designing a class set of discs that I'll hand out to the students. Sometimes technology changes outside our classes but we continue doing things the same old way. I've decided that each student has access either to a home DVD player or one on their computer. It is only logical that I make use of this resource.

I have run across some excellent TV programming that can be utilized with my Communication students. First, I record the shows off the Bell ExpressVu satellite onto my PVR. Then, at my leisure, I copy the segments I want to my computer via a capture card. Lastly, when I've got a sufficient amount of video material, I use software to create menus for easy access to the video segments.

Next term, I will lend every student a DVD copy. I'll assign specific content as homework. I can either create a worksheet or we can have a discussion of the content during the proceeding class. It's quite hard to discuss the assembly of a technical device or product without visual references. A DVD is not quite as fun as a class field trip but a hell of a lot more interesting than a grammar worksheet.


CREATING FOR PERSONAL PURPOSES

In the late afternoon, in anticipation of next month's trip to Sri Lanka, I worked to copy 2.5 DV tapes to DVDs. Even though only two years have passed, everyone will enjoy seeing what we shot in 2004. I usually spend a lot of time thinking about still photography, but honestly video is much more amazing.

It's relatively easy to copy digital tape to a DVD and include a nice-looking menu. The memories that video can carry are absolutely intense. The screen looks so clear and colourful compared to old analog television. Plus, you get all the movement and a complete soundscape. You can see how someone walks and catch gestures that are impossible in the capture of a single moment in a regular photograph. Once on disc the results become very accessible too. Why edit anything out? With a remote in your hand, it's a cinch to zoom through a boring part at 32X.

I must get the video camera out of the closet much more often.