RECORD DIRECTLY INTO QUICKTIME - NEW!

Record Directly into QuickTime
By Zachary MacDonald

Note : You will need to have QuickTime V.7 Pro installed and registered to do the following Quicktip.

If you love working with QuickTime like I do (I am actually quite a hardcore QT enthusiast) you will be stoked to learn sbout the new direct recording option. Now with the addition of this feature you can record video and audio directly to your hard drive with minimal fuss. It's as easy as following the steps below.

1. Attach a video camera (iSight, DV-Camera) or an external USB microphone to your computer. You’ll also be able to use the Internal Microphone on laptops.

2. Select > File > New Movie Recording. [Option+Command+N]

A window opens up to let you preview your video and audio. Now would be the time to get the makeup case out to put on your best morning face. Although that does really depend on who will be seeing this video. SO, if it’s just going to be mom back home, no worries, mess up your hair and make yourself look like you had a good timelast night. This is also a great time to check your lighting and positioning of the camera (a.k.a. find your inner DP).

3. To start recording video click the red record button on the bottom of the window. Notice the size information on the right hand side of the window. This is great for letting you know how much disk space is being used for your recording. Also useful is the Option key. You can Option + click on the record button during the record to pause, and visa-versa to begin recording again.

When you stop your video recording your movie is automatically opened in a Quicktime window. Your finished recording is saved to the desktop.

4. . To start an audio recording select File > New Audio Recording. [Control+Option+Command+N

As before with the video recording a new window opens with an audio meter (or level) indicator. You can use this to preview your audio, or test out your best recording voice before recording the real thing

5.Click the red record button to begin your audio recording. As before you can use the Option + click to pause your recording. You can start the recording again by pressing the red record button again. As before, your recording is saved to the desktop.

If you would like to check you recording settings for video and audio, do the following.

6.Select QuickTime Player > Preferences. [Command+comma]

This will bring up the General Preferences window for QuickTime Player.

7.There are three icons at the top of the window, General, Full Screen, and Recording. The third icon is the one you are interested in for the purposes of recording, so click on this icon.

Here you will be able to set your own preferences for what kind of Video Source, Microphone source and what quality of video your video and audio will be recorded at. Just remember that the options in these pull down menus wil change depending on what sorts of video or audio devices you are using. So remember to check back.

Tip: Next time you need to record a voice over for use with your project, use the new Audio Recording option in QuickTime 7.