Until recently, all video and audio needed to be recorded locally (on your own PC), saved, then uploaded to a website/server in order to be shared with others. This process was not only time consuming, but required extra software and a decent understanding of the software required and Internet protocols. But thanks to Flash, Java, and streaming server technology, any user with a reasonable Internet connection and an updated computer, can record video or audio directly from a webpage. iGrOOps has this feature build in to several of its applications.

iGrOOps uses the latest technology to allow users to record video and audio directly from a webpage that can be immediately saved on the server and shared with others.

Requirements

As mentioned, not everyone can take advantage of this feature -- like all software, there are some basic requirements that need to be met.

iGrOOps uses two different plugins -- one for audio and video, and another for just audio. The one for just audio is a Java-based plugin and is used only in the AV Presentation application. The other is a Flash-based plugin and is used in the Audio / Video postcards and the Blogs.

• A recent web-browser. So far, no users reported having an outdated web browser. Anything downloaded/updated within the last few years seems to work just fine. If you are using anything before IE 6.0, you may want to update your browser for other reasons as well. IE, Firefox, Safari, all work just fine.
• The ability to record sound. Your local computer must have a input jack for audio in or microphone, or at least a built in mic. If you bought your computer within the last 6 years or so, it most likely has this. If you are using an external mic jack, you need an external microphone.
• The ability to record video (optional). If you are using the audio/video recorder for video, you will need some kind of webcam, whether it be built in or external.
• An updated version of the Flash plugin (for postcards and blogs). Automatic updated to your browser will assure you the latest Flash plugin. However, it can't hurt to manually update this. It literally takes less than a minute to install (see below).
• An updated version of the Java plugin (for AV presentations).

If you are using an outdated version of the Flash plugin, you will see the audio / video recording plugin loaded on the webpage, but it will be missing several controls like volume, record, settings, save, etc. This means you need to update your Flash plugin. Make sure it looks like figure 1 below.

Updating Your Flash Plugin

This is very simple and takes just under a minute. You should not have to reboot your computer but you do need to close all other browser windows (besides the one you are using to install).

1. Visit the Flash plugin URL
2. Follow the instructions on that page

Updating Your Java Plugin

This too is simple and takes about a minute. You should not have to reboot your computer but you do need to close all other browser windows (besides the one you are using to install).

1. Visit the Java plugin URL
2. Follow the instructions on that page

Hardware Suggestions

We are often asked what is the best webcam / microphone to get. We do not know the "best" because we have not tried them all -- or even enough to make a confident statement. However, many users have reported their findings on this issue, and here are the general suggestions:

• Get a microphone / headset combo rather than just a microphone. If you plan on doing any online video/audio chats, you will need this.
• Don't skimp on price. You can get a headset mic for less than $10 USD these days, but you will be sorry. I have paid $40 for mine and I love it. Quality does make a difference.
• As for webcam, you should find one with an included microphone headset under $100 that will do the job. In the USA, check Staples or Best Buy for some good deals.

Do you have any good hardware suggestions that we missed? Any specific products you suggest? Anything that you would suggest people avoid? Please post in the comments below!

Using the Flash Online Recorder (postcards and blogs)

Now that you are setup and ready to go with the proper updates and hardware, let's record an audio and video message. Currently, the postcard and blog iGrOOps applications use the Flash audio/video recorder (see figure 1). When you are about to create a postcard or blog post, the recorder will load in the webpage.

If this is your first time allowing this plugin to load, it will take a moment, and it will ask for your permission to allow this plugin access to your camera and mic. Make sure you allow it by confirming "yes" (or "allow").

Figure 1 - the Flash-based audio/video plugin (image only)

Recording Your Message.

1. Begin by selecting either "Audio Only" or "Audio & Video". If you choose the latter, you should see the image your webcam has picked up where you now see the blue to white fade in the image above. If you are using video, adjust your camera so it captures the image you desire.
2. Click the "Record" button and begin your recording.
3. When you are done, click the "Stop" button.
4. Click "Save". You MUST save this using this save button on the control. If you forget to save the video and try to click the update/save button on the bottom of the page, your video will be lost. Get into the habit of saving your recordings. Like preparing your outgoing voice mail message, each saved message will overwrite the previous on, and only the last saved message will be saved/used.
5. You can use the play button/icon (forward triangle) to play back your message if you like.

Most webcam software will allow you to adjust the contrast, brightness, and more. This is best done on your PC's webcam software. Beware: if your software has a "low lighting" option you should disable it -- otherwise your video will appear very choppy when that feature is being used.

If using IE, you will have to click on the plugin to "activate it". This means the first time you click any of the buttons, like record, it will not start recording -- that first click only activated the control. This is not a problem, just an IE annoyance that you can easily work around.

Using the Audio Recorder (AV presentations)

The audio recorder uses Java technology to record sound only from your local PC to the server. It has a simplified interface (see figure 2) and is very easy to use.

• Button #1 - the red circle: use this to start recording your message.
• Button #2 - the green arrow: use this to play a message you have just recorded.
• Button #3 - the blue/grey lines: use this button to pause the playback or recording of your message.
• Button #4 - the red square: use this button to stop the recording or playback of your message.
• Button #5 - the grey disk: use this button to play a saved audio file on the server. This is when you are editing an existing slide for which you already have a recorded message.
• The grey status bar: if you do not see this bar on your iGrOOp, you do not have an updated java version installed. Otherwise, you will see this bar and see a real-time volume status appear as you record your message.

Like the Flash Audio / Video recorder, you must click the "Save Slide Audio on Server" button before saving the slide data.