Using Other Windows Media Encoder Options

The Windows Media Encoder can also convert videos as well as capture screen content from a video session. These functions are useful utility features that give media producers some basic tools for editing and publishing content.

Capturing Screen Content with the Windows Media Encoder Software

Capturing screen content from video is not as simple as you might think. Simply pressing Ctrl+Print Screen does not capture video content. This usually results in a grayed-out box where the video was being played. Third-party screen capture tools also typically do not capture video screensthey typically capture bit images of a video screen, and the DirectX video or streaming video caches video content that does not show up on the active screen.

A tool like the one built in to the Windows Media Encoder allows users to capture video screens. The screen capture function in the Windows Media Encoder can capture an entire streaming video session. This is useful if you are watching a Webcast, a video stream, or some other session that you might not otherwise be able to download for replay later. By capturing the entire video and audio session using the Windows Media Encoder, you can bypass any access limitations to the streaming information.

To capture a screen using the Windows Media Encoder, do the following:

1.	Click the Capture a Screen option and then click OK.
2.	On the Screen Capture Session window, choose to capture a specific window, a region of the screen, or the entire screen. Choose to capture audio from the default audio device by selecting the appropriate check box and then click Next.
3.	Depending on the option selected in step 2, choose the window or region you want to capture and then click Next.
4.	Enter the name of the file to which you want to capture the file and then click Next.
5.	Choose the quality setting: low, medium, or high. Click Next to continue.
6.	Optional information can be added to the captured file, such as title, author, copyright information, rating, and description. Enter the desired information and click Next to continue.
7.	The next screen gives you the option to begin the capture when the Finish button is clicked, or to simply finish the configuration and start the session later. Make the appropriate selection and click Finish.

After the session has been captured, it can be played back by opening the file with Windows Media Player or another video playback tool.

Converting Videos to Windows Media Video Format

Converting a file might be necessary for the producer of media content. Many times, a video file is stored in a format or has been encoded with a codec that is not widely or easily distributed. A video file might also be stored in a format that does not support the Windows Media Server publishing capabilities. One way to convert the file is to use the screen-capturing capability of Windows Media Encoder as covered in the section "Capturing Screen Content with the Windows Media Encoder Software." The other way to convert the video is to use the conversion functionality built in to the Windows Media Encoder.

The Windows Media Encoder can convert files from the ASF, AVI, BMP, JPG, MPG, MP3, WAV, WMA, and WMV formats to a WMV video format supported by the Windows Media Server. To initiate a file conversion, do the following:

1.	Click the Convert a File option in the Windows Media Encoder software and then click OK.
2.	Select the source file of the file you want to convert. Choose the directory and filename where you want the output written. Click Next to continue.
3.	Choose how you want to distribute your content. Your choices are File Download, Hardware Devices (CD, DVD, Portable), Windows Media Server (Streaming), Web Server (Progressive Download), Windows Media Hardware Profiles, PocketPC, or File Archive. Refer to the "Choosing the Distribution Content Method" sidebar for more details. Click Next to continue.
4.	The next screen will prompt you for the encoding options. The various bit rate for encoding will be shown, displaying Total Bit Rate, Frame Rate, and Output Size. Choose the desired bit rate or bit rates and click Next to continue.
5.	Optional information can be added to the captured file, such as title, author, copyright information, rating, and description. Enter the desired information and click Next to continue.
6.	The next screen gives you the option to begin the capture when the Finish button is clicked, or to simply finish the configuration and start the session later. Make the appropriate selection and click Finish.

After the file has been converted, it can be played back by opening the file with Windows Media Player or another video playback tool.