AudioVisual Resources

There are many image, audio and video resources that are available on campus. This file tells you where they are located. Any of these previously created resources can be fed into a computer, depending on copyright restrictions, and turned into computer data that can be used by a wide range of applications.

But it is also easy to create your own images and sounds and turn them into computer files. Directions below indicate how to get started using scanners and camcorders.

AudioVisual Collections at WCU

Hunter Library contains a large collection of VHS videotapes and equipment for previewing them. Ask at the Media Center checkout window.

The Faculty Center at Hunter Library has had a collection of music to which it owns the copyright to insert in campus media creations. Check with the staff there on this issue.

See Videodisc Holdings.: The Reading Center on the first floor of the Killian Building has a videodisc collection for checkout and videodisc players are available in the Macintosh Lab, Killian Bldg., Room 268 (just upstairs from the Reading Center). Several Macintoshes in the Mac Lab can quickly and easily digitize images, audio and video from these disks for inclusion in your projects.

AudioVisual Technology at WCU

There are several ways to move images and sounds into digital format so that they can be included in word processing documents, digital video software, and a host of other applications. Further, creating your own AV has the significant added advantage of eliminating questions about copyright that occur when using prior art.

1. Camcorders
When used with digitizing cards in computers, camcorders become the most versatile AV tool available. They incorporate in one device the features of not only of a video camera, but all other recording tools: microphone, photography camera and scanner. Because scanners, digital cameras and microphones may be of higher quality and resolution than those commonly built into camcorders, camcorders will not replace such more specialized devices. A camcorder is available in the Killian Mac Lab for in-lab use by students.
So, when you finally have something on videotape or you wish to use the camera live, then what? How To Digitize and Use the Creation. (Once trained, this process can be done in minutes).

2. Scanners
Flatbed scanners can be found in various places around campus, but there is one in the Killian room 268. The device operates very much like a standard copy machine. Place the sheet of paper with the image on the glass, and run the scanner software application. But instead of the image output going to a piece of paper, the scanner is hooked to a computer and the image becomes computer data. The digital image can be copied to other applications, saved to diskette and/or transmitted to other places on the network. Check the lab hours and see the lab assistants where scanners are located.

3. Digital cameras
For faculty use, a ZapShot digital camera is available through the Media Center for faculty projects. Check with lab assistants for training and scheduling.

4. Microphones and AudioRecorders
Use your own equipment or teacher education students can find an audio recorder in the Reading Cener. Once you have something on tape, you will need an output wire with a male RCA jack to connect to the audio input connection (female, RCA jack) on the back of a computer. Check with computer lab assistants for further training.

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