To ensure an optimal upload and playback experience, video files uploaded to Cast It & Cast It Talent should be encoded in one of these two formats:

QUICKTIME (.mov or .mp4 files) or WINDOWS MEDIA VIDEO (.wmv files)

• File Type: MOV or MPEG-4
• Codec: Mpeg-4 video
• Frame Rate: 24
• Key Frames: Every 300
• Data Rate: 768 Kbps
• Video Size: 640 x 480 VGA (320 x 240 is acceptable but will be lower quality)
• Select “Preserve Aspect Ratio” and “Deinterlace Video”
• Audio Format: AAC
• Audio Channels: Mono
• Audio Rate: 32.000 KHz
• Audio Target Bit Rate: 32
• Encode Files for “Fast Start”

• File Type: WMV
• Bit rate: 1.0 Mbps
• Display size: 640 x 480 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3
• Frames per second: 30

Note : The size of an individual video file should not exceed 500 megabytes (100 MB for basic users). You can check the size of your video file by following these steps:

If on a Mac: Click the file to highlight it, click on File, then click on Get Info.

If on a PC: Right click on the file, then go to Properties.

If your file does exceed the 500-megabyte limit (100 MB for basic users), you will need to shorten the clip or edit it into multiple parts before uploading.

There are many editing programs that can encode files to our recommended settings. Below are the step-by-step instructions for iMovie (most commonly used on Macs), Windows Moviemaker (most commonly used on PCs), and Quicktime Pro, which can be used with either Mac or PCs.

Be sure to check which version of these programs you have on your computer, and read the corresponding instructions for that version below.

How to export a video clips from Windows Movie Maker

1. Connect your camera to the computer using a firewire cable. Turn the camera on and set it to VCR (playback) mode.
2. Open the Windows Movie Maker application, usually found under the Start menu.
3. Click on the File menu up top and scroll down and select Capture Video…
4. In the Available Devices window, select the camera you are using to capture the video and click Next.
5. Name your project (Movie Maker can capture multiple actors within a project automatically) and specify where you want your project and captured videos files to be saved on the computer.
6. Choose the video setting by selecting Best quality for playback on my computer and then click Next.
7. Select Capture parts of the tape manually and then click the Next button.
8. Cue up the actor by using the playback controls under the preview window in Movie Maker and when ready, click the Start Capture button to begin capturing the video to the computer.
9. When finished click the Stop Capture button. Movie Maker will automatically import the video clips and display them in the Collection area of the application. Please note that Movie Maker automatically separates the clips whenever you pause the camera, which makes the export process much easier.

1. 1. Now you are ready to begin saving these video clips for uploading to Cast It. First, select the clip you would like to export by clicking in it once in the collection area. Drag it down to the lower timeline area in the Movie Maker application.
2. Go to the File menu and select Save Movie File.
   1. In the Movie Location window, click on My Computer and click Next.
   2. Name your movie by using the actor’s name or initials and the take number so you can keep track of it. Choose the place on the hard drive where you will be saving this exported file. You will be uploading these to the Cast It system. Click Next.
   3. In the Movie Setting window, click on Show more choices. link. Then select the button for Other settings: and on the menu scroll down to Video for LAN (1.0 Mbps). Then click Next.
   4. The Saving Movie window will appear with a progress meter. Wait for the video movie clip to finish saving.
   5. If you want to watch your movie clip after completing this process, select the Play movie when I finish check box.
   6. After the movie is saved, click Finish.
3. Congrats, your clip has been created! To continue saving more clips, first delete the old one from the timeline area, then drag the new one down to the same place. Repeat step #2 above.

How to export a video clips from Vista Movie Maker

1. Connect your camera to the computer using a firewire cable. Turn the camera on and set it to VCR (playback) mode.
2. Open the Windows Movie Maker application, usually found under the Start menu.
3. Find the Import section located in the upper left hand corner of the Movie Maker program, then select From Digital Video Camera.
4. Name your project (Session Date is often an easy way to organize your Movie Maker Projects), then specify where you want your project and captured videos files to be imported to on the computer. Finally, click the Format drop-down menu and choose Windows Media Video (one file per scene). Then click Next.
5. Select Only import parts of the videotape to my computer. Then click Next.
6. Using the Digital Video Camera Controls, cue up the actor to the exact point you would like to begin importing, and when ready click Start Video Import. The video will begin to simultaneously play and import onto your computer. When the file you wish to import is complete, click Stop Video Import.
7. Repeat this process for all of the scenes on the tape that you wish to import. Then click Finish.
8. Movie Maker will automatically import the video clips and display them in the Collection area of the application. Please note that Movie Maker automatically separates the clips whenever you pause the camera, which makes the export process much easier.

1. Now you are ready to begin saving these video clips for uploading to Cast It. First, select the clip you would like to export by clicking in it once in the collection area. Drag it down below to the Storyboard area in the Movie Maker application.
2. Go to the File menu and select Publish Movie.
   1. In the Where do you want to publish your movie? window, click This Computer, then click Next.
   2. Name your movie by using the actor’s name or initials and the take number so you can keep track of it. Choose the place on the hard drive where you will be publishing this exported file. Click Next.
   3. In the Movie Setting window, select the button for More Settings. Then scroll down on the menu to Windows Media VHS Quality (1.0 Mbps). Then click Publish.
   4. The Saving Movie window will appear with a progress meter. Wait for the video movie clip to finish saving.
   5. If you want to watch your movie clip after completing this process, select the Play movie when I finish check box.
   6. After the movie is saved, click Finish.
3. Congrats, your clip has been created! To continue saving more clips, first delete the old one from the Storyboard area, then drag the new one down to the same place. Repeat step #2 above.