Burli offers optional support for importing and exporting MP3 audio files at a wide variety of bit and sample rates.
Optional feature
To create MP3 files is an extra feature in Burli and is not included with every installation or at every workstation in a given newsroom. Ask your IT staff or Burli administrator if you are not sure if your system supports creating MP3s.
MP3 (MPEG layer III) has become the standard for Internet audio. Burli will import MP3s and automatically convert them to your default audio format and bitrate. This includes news clips from on-line subscription news wire services (CNN, GRN, etc); MP3 audio files sent by reporters by e-mail or with Burli’s Virtual Newsroom; or music.
Opening MP3 files
Burli imports audio files from external sources (hard drive, CD, network, etc). If you download an MP3 from a file sharing application you will have to save the file to disk and open the file this way.
- Select Open|External File(s)… from the menu at the top of the screen.
- Select MP3 files in the ‘Files of type’ list near the bottom of the screen.
- Navigate to the file you wish to open and select Open.
- Burli will open the MP3 file for you.
Note that Burli automatically converts the file from MP3 to your default audio format. Because of the nature of MP3 compression it is not possible to edit an item in MP3 format. The file must be converted to be opened for editing. Burli converts the file to either linear or MP2 – whichever format your system has set for its default audio format.
MP3 audio from the Web
Burli’s integrated web browser includes drag-and-drop download support for many audio clips on the web. If you drag a link to an MP3 file from the browser and drop it into your work folder, Burli will automatically download, convert and display the audio on the screen ready for use.
This is most useful for grabbing audio cuts from on-line news subscription services such as ABC Newscall or AP PrimeCuts. No extra applications, saving to disk or audio format conversion tools are required.
E-mail attachments
Burli automatically recognizes and converts MP3 audio file attachments that arrive by e-mail. The audio item(s) will appear in the in-queue automatically, converted to your default audio format with each file in a clip holder. The audio quality of the file will be dictated by the sample and bit rate used to create the MP3. Most newsrooms set a standard for MP3 quality that their stringers and reporters should use to file audio by e-mail.
Virtual Newsroom
Items arriving in the In-Queue through Burli’s Virtual Newsroom system from other newsrooms or reporters in the field generally use MP3 to reduce file size and speed delivery over the Internet. All MP3 file conversions happen automatically and news staff do not need to open or convert the files.
MP3 files are much smaller than their linear equivalents which makes it a popular format for sending over the Internet. Burli can export any audio item as an MP3.
Exporting MP3 files
Burli can save any audio item as an MP3 file.
- Right-click on the item.
- Select Save As…
- On the dialogue box that appears, select MP3 in the ‘Files of type’ list.
- Select a bitrate. The higher the bit-rate the better the audio quality of the saved file. 192kbit is a popular choice for broadcasters as it provides high audio quality, particularly for voice. Files that will be sent over a slow Internet connection may be better saved in lower quality, though there will be a drop in audio quality.
Burli saves MP3s at a variety of bit-rates. - Navigate to the location in which you wish to save the file.
- Enter the name for the file.
- Press Save.
Virtual Newsroom
Items sent to another location or a reporter in the field using the Virtual Newsroom system generally use MP3 to reduce file size and speed delivery over the Internet. All MP3 conversion happens automatically as part of the drag-and-drop function; news staff do not need to save or convert the files.