Lecture Capture

The term ‘lecture capture’ may refer to a software system that records a speaker along with their screen presentation and/or the hardware that accomplishes the task. It typically provides options for screen layout and automatically formats the output as a high definition video file. Here at Ohio Wesleyan, we have a portable lecture capture system on a cart in Merrick Hall. It has these components:

You should note that our system is quite a bit different from what they demo and where you’ll find it used elsewhere. For flexibility, our system is on a mobile cart. This means that it’s not tied up when someone is using the room, but not using the system. It also means that there are cables that will have to run across the floor. Our system is also not integrated into any scheduling or calendar system. You can’t reserve it through Ad-Astra or Google Calendar. You will still have to reserve it, and you can do so on the Media Center’s AV Equipment Reservation Form.  Please make your reservation at least seven days prior to the event.

Instructions
  1. To use the system, you will need to plug your laptop or mobile device into one of the splitters at the end of either the HDMI or VGA cables. The other side of the splitter must connect to the input cable for the HDTV in the room where you will be presenting.
  2. Make sure all devices are turned on and ready. Note that it might take a minute for the touch screen controller to start up.
  3. Insert a USB drive into the system within the cart box. The video will then be saved to this drive.
  4. Affix the lapel microphone to your clothing and turn it on. You will then see the sound meter on the system display within the cart.
  5. Ensure that your presentation is displayed on both the classroom TV and the monitor on the cart.
  6. Tap the ‘Start Here’ button on the touch screen controller.
  7. Test the microphone and adjust as necessary.
  8. Decide on an image display. This can be changed during the presentation. Options include displaying the presentation only (a PowerPoint presentation for example), displaying only the camera, displaying both side by side, or displaying the camera in a box in one corner of the presentation.
  9. If the camera is being used, adjust it using the remote. You can change its facing direction and its zoom.
  10. Tap ‘Start Recording’.
  11. When finished, tap ‘Stop Recording’

Full System Setup and Operation Checklists

BRING WITH

  • □ Keys to the cart (staff)
  • □ Laptop for presentation (faculty)
  • □ Any video adapter necessary? (faculty)
  • □ Laptop power cord (faculty)
  • □ PowerPoint/Prezi/Keynote presentation file (faculty)
  • □ USB flash drive for saving the recording file (either). Make sure there is sufficient available space for the recording.

SETUP

  • □ Unlock wheels on cart.
  • □ Roll cart into position–best towards the back of the room and on the same side as the lectern.
  • □ Unlock the cart.
  • □ Roll the lectern somewhere between the front of the class and halfway between there and the cart. When the lectern is further away from the front wall and TV it allows the cart to be further away as well.
  • □ Pug in the power cord for the cart.
  • □ Turn the capture system on.
  • □ Connect a splitter (HDMI or VGA+A) to the laptop. Plug in USB or AC power for the splitter if necessary.
  • □ Connect a media cable (HDMI or VGA+A) to the splitter at one end and the classroom TV on the other. If using VGA, do the same for the audio cable.
  • □ Connect a media cable (HDMI or VGA+A) to the splitter at one end and the lecture capture system on the other. If using VGA, do the same for the audio cable.
  • □ Attach the lapel microphone to the presenter’s collar or clothing, and the battery pack to their belt or place in a pocket.
  • □ Insert flash drive into USB port on front of system.

TESTING

  • □ Video from both laptop and camera, and that video is correctly colored and not flickering/flashing
  • □ Audio from the laptop should be heard on the classroom TV, not on the laptop speakers
  • □ The system prompts for microphone testing before recording
  • □ If a wireless mouse or presentation clicker will be used, test it and any other accessories after testing audio and video

RECORDING

  • □ Press Start on the controller.
  • □ Options on the control pad during recording: Change PIP Layout, set a Bookmark, mute the lapel mic, pause the recording, and stop.
  • □ Options on the camera remote control during recording: Pan, tilt, zoom (fast or slow,) and turn backlight on or off. This can be used by the assistant to keep the camera on the presenter as they move about the room.
  • □ Considerations: The microphone is sensitive enough to pick up conversations with others in the room and noise in the hallway. Be careful not to trip over any cords.

TEARDOWN/PUT AWAY

  • □ Place in the bag the Microphone, HDMI splitter with USB & AC power cords, VGA splitter, and audio splitter
  • □ Place behind the front door the bag and the two remotes.
  • □ Wind up the two video and power cables and place them on the shelf above the system.
  • □ Remove your flash drive and turn everything off.
  • □ Lock the cart.
  • □ Roll the cart back to the corner and lock the wheels.
External Links