Video / Audio / Multimedia on Ohlone College Websites - Web Center

For references and how-tos, see Multimedia Resources.

The Basics

• The Ohlone College web servers are not configured for streaming video/audio. See Off-site Hosting Options.
• Video/audio files over 50 MB should not be posted on the Ohlone College web servers.
• Video and audio files should be captioned (preferred) or accompanied by a text transcript whenever reasonably possible. These examples are nicely done:
  • Captioned video: LAB Program video
  • Text transcript: Transfer Center Promo 2008

You are responsible for captioning (preferred) or preparing a text transcript for each video/audio/media file. Make sure the cost and time for captioning is included in video/media project planning. Contact DSPS for information and assistance. The Web Team does not do captioning or prepare text transcripts.

Consider the Site Visitor: Your Audience

Websites should be accessible to all types of people, including those who are:

• Deaf or hard of hearing
  • Need to see or read words being spoken
  • Need to be able to control the video/media file: Play, Stop, Pause, Restart
• Blind or partially blind
  • Need to hear or use text transcript to "read" words being spoken and descriptions of activities. Transcript can be read aloud to the site visitor by screen reader software.
  • Need to be able to control the video/media file: Play, Stop, Pause, Restart
• Physically challenged
  • Need to be able to control the video/media file: Play, Stop, Pause, Restart
• Learning disabled
  • Need to be able to control the video/media file: Play, Stop, Pause, Restart
  • Need to be able to understand the information being presented. Consider alternative ways of presenting information. For example, for written instructions, consider including a video or audio clip of the instructions.
• Using a fast connection to the Internet
  • Provide links to larger or longer videos and or videos of higher quality (larger file sizes)
  • Need to be able to control the video/media file: Play, Stop, Pause, Restart
  Using a slow connection to the Internet
  • Provide links to smaller or shorter videos and/or videos of less quality (smaller file sizes)
  • Need to be able to control the video/media file: Play, Stop, Pause, Restart
• Not a member of the groups listed above - i.e., Everyone else

Media Definitions and Accessibility Tips

Audio

Sound. Used alone or as part of a video. Music with or without lyrics. Noise (natural or created). Speech (talking): A podcast, a monologue, an interview, a group discussion, a lecture or speech or presentation. Example: Radio interviews with Dave Smith on KGO Radio News.

• Speech (Talking): Caption (preferred) or include a text transcript. (Captioning audio can be accomplished by using the audio in a video file and captioning the video file.)
• Music
  • Identify the music's Title, Author, Length and/or File Size, and if known Date Produced.
  • If the lyrics are part of the information being presented, provide the lyrics (laid out in the proper format for lyrics).
• Other Sounds: Describe the noise. Example: Audience of high school students loudly cheering.

Images

Includes photographs, logos, and other graphic designs.

• For each image that conveys information, use the <img> tag's alt attribute or include a photo caption (text description with optional photo credit) next to the image.
• Photo caption: Include description of image, location of image (if pertinent), and optional photo credit.
• Decorative images should not be captioned or credited.

Multimedia

Combination of video, images, audio, and digital affects. Commonly created using Adobe Flash software (produces what is usually referred to as a "Flash movie"). See related definitions and tips on this page.

Slideshow

Slide by slide, screen by screen display of text, images, other media.

• Identify the Title, Author/Source, and if known Date Produced.
• Use captioning (preferred) or a text transcript detailing any words spoken or text displayed in the slideshow.

Video

"Moving pictures." With or without audio. Any length. Video created using screen captioning software (records movements made on the computer - good for online tutorials and demonstrations). Video of a lecture or speech or presentation. A simple video of a cat playing with a toy or a laughing baby. A production video about an Ohlone College department or program. A television show. A movie (film). Includes slideshows in a video file format. Example: The captioned video for the Biotechnology LAB Program.

• Identify the video's Title, Author, Source, Length and/or File Size, and if known Date Produced.
• For speech or words displayed, include captioning (preferred) or a text transcript.
• Identify the music's Title, Author, and if known Date Produced, and include lyrics if appropriate.
• For a video of images and music (such as a video of a sunset accompanied by a piano), identify the music's Title, Author, and if known Date Produced, and the location of the photos if pertinent information for the site visitor, as well as the photo's Author/Source.

Captioning

(Preferred.) A written record of speech and activity timed to correspond with the words spoken/displayed or images displayed. Example: The captioned video for the Biotechnology LAB Program.

• See the Captioning Style Guide by the WGBH Media Access Group

Text Transcript

(If captioning is not available.) A written record of speech and activity. Link to a text transcript immediately before or after the video link or embedded video. Example: Embedded Transfer Center Tips Video with transcript link and the Transcript for Transfer Center Video 2008. See also King County's Road to Recovery Text Transcript.

• See How to Format a Text Transcript