YouTube?

[Dawson]

Right - using a link object I have tried to get Activstudio to link to the following page Email video from YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBsXF0Madmc)

My issue is, after reading your other posts about linking to websites within a flipchart, that even after I open the desired page in an Activstudio browser window click on the 'link' icon and drag it in to the flipchart where it is needed. All very straight forward and usually not a problem BUT it seems that when I use the link it does NOT load the desired page! It reads something like - the page is missing or being uploaded etc etc please wait! Errr.... no, it is a real page and IE can find it, if I paste the link into the activstudio browser it will find it, just the action link won't find it!!!!

HHHHEEEEELLLLLPPPPPPP ???? ????

Cheers

[Dug]

Dawson, I've spent a while now trying to get youtube vids into flipcharts and I think I've cracked it. Do you want the vid to appear in the ACTIV browser or would you be happy to embed the vid into your flipchart? I think I can help with the latter but it's a long-winded, multi-step operation...
First of all, I use mozilla firefox as my main browser (because it has an extension that you can add that allows extraction of vids from youtube). You can download mozilla from here:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
You then need the video extraction extension which you can get from here:
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/extensions/
(Choose the video downloader from the 'popular extensions' section). This will give you a tiny little (near-invisible) icon on the very bottom right of your browser window which, when clicked whilst on a youtube page, will extract the video onto your pc. It is extracted as a .flv file. flv files can then be played with the flv player available here:
http://www.soft29.com/how-to/how-to-convert-flv-to-mp4-3gp-mpg.htm
but you need to make sure that you give the file the extension .flv first.
Sadly, you can't put .flvs into flipcharts as link objects, so it will need converting to a file that will embed and play in ACTIV. This is where you need Zamzar to convert it for you which you'll find here:
http://www.zamzar.com/
Convert your flv to an avi or mpg with zamzar (I think these are supported as embeddable files in ACTIV, but I'm still waiting for the conversions to come back so I can't say for sure yet).
Finally, embed it as a link object (placeholder) in your flipchart. It should then play with a simple click.
As I say, I haven't yet been able to follow this process right through, but at time of writing, I am able to watch the vid on my computer, offline and away from youtube.
Hope this helps.

[Dawson]

WOW... love your work... and secretly always wanted to know an 'easy' way to get the FLV files of you tube and the like. Will be trying now... bed, who needs bed when you have computers to entertain.
(Time is now 11.05PM and I have school tmrw!!! he he he burning the candle, I know) :eek:

[Dug]

Zamzar can sometimes take a while to return with the conversions, so don't stay up too late! Mind you, there's always the cricket (if you're interested that is). :)

[Dug]

Ok, so Zamzar returned an avi which plays perfectly in Windows Media player.[clap]
But when I try to embed it as a video in a flipchart, it goes through all the motions until I click it to play it; then I get white page, player shows that it is playing (with sliding thingy as if its playing) but no sound or video!:mad: Still struggling on with this. Admittedly I'm using Activprimary, not studio, but shouldn't make a difference.

[Dawson]

Nah was last year but this year is a joke ... even as an Aussie in Pommy land I still can't get into the bashing they are giving you guys. Every time you look like you might do something... WARNEY! and your.... :rolleyes: what is that four letter word.... beat. :p

'Found' (a program that will allow you to convert... if it works I will send it to you if you like.) will test it first and see what it does to my system but if it is all OK I could forward it over... if your into that type of thing!

ZamZar does take a while though.... :cool:

[Dawson]

Primary teachers... normal I wouldn't be nice about you lot (as you make us look bad with all that work you do!!!!) but since your helping.... :)

[Peter Lambert]

I don't think we have the correct codecs

[Dawson]

That program I got from a 'friend' worked! Very nice converter. don't know how to get such a file to you but if you know of a way one could pass it on. Up to you, if it helps you out.

as for embedding... trying now... what about an mp4 file or wma?

[Dawson]

I just did it as an image icon and linked the file using activstudio PE (big boys edition with all the upgrades!!!) and hey presto YOUR A STAR!!!!! [clap]

[Dug]

Right, the mpeg worked. So, if you use Zamzar, choose mpeg, not avi. And apparrently, you can convert avi to mpeg using windows movie maker I just learnt.

[Dawson]

I am not still up, so don't mind me... but in the Activstudio PE (secondary) it will play the AVI perfectly!

Thanks probably doesn't help though does it??? Should I mention the ashes here.... no, right, ok then.... I'm impressed with your effort and persistance though!

Dawson

[Charlotte]

I use a product called Riva to convert flv to avi or wmv. Get it at http://www.rivavx.com/index.php?encoder&L=3
A word of warning though - sometimes the pics don't come through but the sound does (odd I know). The way around this is to then import the resulting wmv file into MovieMaker. It all works beautifully then and can be embedded into ActivStudio very easily. It's amazing how often there is a use for this - the kids are always impressed as well!! +wave+

[Charlotte]

Should also just add - a way around needing to use Firefox is another cute little website called http://keepvid.com/
This collects the You Tube (and others) vids and turns them into a flv format.
Then follow steps above! [clap]

[rexboggs5]

Here is what I do, using Internet Explorer:
Open Internet Explorer
Click on Tools > Internet Options > Delete Files > OK
(note this step is optional but makes it easier to find the file later)
Play the YouTube video
Click on Tools > Internet Options > Settings > View Files
Put the files in order based on file size (biggest at the top) or
just search for the flv file
Copy the flv file to wherever.

I use FLV Player 1.3.3 to view the file. It is a free download from
http://www.download.com/FLV-Player/3000-2139_4-10467081.html

To link it into a flipchart:
Start the video
Use the camera tool to copy the image of the screen to a flipchart.
Double-click on the image
Click on Properties
Select Actions > Open Document or File
Click on Set and set it to the flv file.
Exit, and you are done.

It isn't embedded, so it plays in its own window.

Cheers

Rex

[Charlotte]

Rex - try http://keepvid.com/ it just means you don't have to trawl through the temp files and is sooo quick and simple. I have put it as a short cut on my IE toolbar so even easier... :)
Charlotte

[Dug]

Nice one Rex![clap] I wish I'd known about the first half of your post. I've used that technique for SWFs etc, but hadn't thought of doing it for FLVs.
It strikes me that this thread has done a really good job of drawing out some essential knowledge and techniques that can really enhance our practice.
Well done, Dawson - there should be more of this sort of thing!

[Dawson]

I would like to thank the Australian Cricket Team for their awesome performance which, I am sure, inspires us all each day...

Otherwise all out of necessity really - doing media in English and trying to write SOW and the flipcharts to go with it for English teachers that are.... (I know, be nice) IT challenged. That said, I thought hey, embed vids and simple timers and... well can't give all my good thoughts away now can I :cool:

Cheers for all your help though, you've been a STAR +wave+

[Dug]

No, you should absolutely give all your good thoughts away! It's what we all do all the time here on the forum.
I've been intrigued to know why you might have such an urgent need for vids and countdown timers. Feel free to post your finished flps on the Planet. It's the least you could do.
As I sit here and see England 123 for 9, I can see how much we've given you Aussies, don't hold back on giving something back.
:D[clap]:);)+wave+

[Dawson]

Ok Ok already! What is this Planet thing and where do I put them? Do I put the whole SOW or just the flps? Would like to give back though... Jess, can't believe I feel bad for KICKING your backsides... what is all that about. Is there something in the water over here???

[Dug]

Sorry, that was probably a bit harsh of me:( - must be the cricket;).
There's an area on the main Promethean page: http://www.prometheanplanet.com/uk/
called 'resources' if you click the link, you can then choose to 'Share your good stuff'. I wouldn't suggest that you submit a whole SOW, but, if you've done a good flp, that you're proud of then this is the place for it. Or, you could post it up here in the forum with an explanation of how it might be used.
Bottom line - it's been really good to meet a new member who is obviously a creative and passionate teacher and who is pushing the limits of the software in an endeavour to meet the learning needs of students and to support colleagues.
You are a welcome new addition to the forum and I look forward to hearing more from you.+wave+

[Dawson]

With warmth like that it is hard to stay away from this country. Will be posting in the not todistant future as the SOW definitly ain't over yet! :eek:

Cheers