Light-Board, August 2019
COE Light-Board User Guide Overview This document is an introduction to Light-Board video recording practices and tips. A Light-Board (a transparent board with special lighting) is used to record videos in which the instructor is facing the camera while speaking and writing. Please view a video that was recorded using a LightBoard to get an idea on how it works: Light-Board Video Demo. The Light-Board in the FSU College of Education was acquired by STE using student tech fees and built by FSU Facilities Master Craftsman Studio. Light-Board reserving procedures The Light-Board was acquired as part of the tech fees project proposed by STE. It is currently housed in the OneButton Studio (STB 3304) and can be reserved by any COE faculty via Libcal https://educationfsu.libcal.com/reserve/spaces/STB3304. If you need assistance with setting up, please contact OIIT at https://coe-help.coe.fsu.edu/portal. Please schedule at least a day in advance so that the OIIT staff can make sure the camera is fully charged and the SD card is empty. Light-Board set up prior to recording You will need the following items for recording with the light-board equipment: • Digital camera, tripod, and SD card • Polsen CAM-2W Wireless Microphone (see Appendix 1 for instructions on connecting to the camera) • Lighting set up on their stands (3 lights with stands) • Light-board with a remote control for color and LED lights, markers, and cleaning cloth We recommend selecting a location for recording with minimal lighting to avoid glare and to position the equipment as depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Light-board setup with camera and lighting placement 1
Light-Board, August 2019
For optimal quality we recommend both front and back lighting. Figure 2 shows the outcomes of different lighting setups with both front and back lighting giving the best results.
Figure 1. Front and back lighting shows best results when using both lights Setting up equipment • • •
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The backdrop is a black curtain attached to the back wall with a heavy velcro strip. You should not have to do anything to it. Wheel the light-board into position, approximately 3-4 feet from the wall, making sure the presenter has enough room to stand between the backdrop and the light-board for presenting. Set up the camera with its tripod and move it into position (or use the zoom function) so that only the inside of the lightboard frame is in view. Immediately in front of the OneButton cart is a good position, since you can zoom in to frame the recording. Position the front lights as illustrated in Figure 1. Place them pointing toward the presenter and move them back far enough so that there will be no visible glare on the light-board in the video. The back light can be placed on either side of the backdrop. Point it toward the presenter and move it so it is not visible in the camera viewfinder and make sure there is no visible glare on the lightboard. It may take repositioning the lighting several times to acquire best results. The outcomes from the different lighting positions showing front only, back only, or both front and back are shown below in Figure 2. Using both front and back lighting provides best results. Also, you can set the intensity of the lighting by turning the knob on the back of the light.
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Ensure that the lights are securely fastened to their stands. The mounting socket should fit all the way on the stand. Tighten the bolt all the way. The light should not wobble on the stand. See Figure 4.
Figure 2. Attaching the light to the stand
If the remote is not working to turn on the LED light strip or to change color of the lights inside the LightBoard, try pointing the remote directly at the RF receiver on the left side of the Light-Board to turn them on and off or change the color. See Figure 5.
Figure 5. RF receiver for the remote located on the left side of the Light-Board
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Preparing for recording ●
Clothing ○ The backdrop of the Light-Board video is black. It is best to wear light colored clothing so it will show up against the backdrop. See Figure 6. ○ You will wear a lapel mic during video recording. Please wear clothing that accommodates a lapel mic. ○ Please wear comfortable shoes. You will be standing during recording.
Figure 6. Screen capture from Light-Board video Tip: Avoid white or black clothing if possible. Do not wear clothing with logos and images (images will be reversed in post-production of video). ●
Setup ○ ○ ○ ○
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Set board position Set camera position Set lighting Determine pen color (follow ADA guidelines, consider students who might be color blind) ■ Be consistent with color choice throughout Mark glass for boundaries of what the camera will capture (Figure 7). ■ Use a black dry erase marker to mark most top, bottom, left, and right boundaries. ■ Consider height of instructor and comfortable reach when writing. ■ Verify that anything within these marks will remain on camera. ■ If instructor is using notes, make sure they are outside of camera view.
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Light-Board, August 2019
Figure 7. (Left) Camera capturing Light-Board area. (Right) View captured by camera ○ Mark glass for boundaries of writing space(s). See Figure 8. ■ Decide how much writing space is needed ● Write legibly (do not use cursive; student will read printed text easier)
Figure 8. Instructor writing spaces highlighted Tip: When writing on a Light-Board, preserve space by writing at about ½ inch (approximately half the size you use in a classroom). When videos are viewed through a device (TV, computer monitor, smartphone, etc.) the writing will appear legible to a viewer. ○ Mark glass speaking area for when not writing, but speaking to camera (Figure 9).
Figure 9. Instructor speaking area highlighted. ○
Mark glass props areas (if any). See Figure 10. ○ Props are objects used during the video 5
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PowerPoint slides are added in post-production
Figure 10. Text and PowerPoint slide added in post-production Conduct test recording (10-15 sec) ■ Verify audio ■ Verify framing areas Immediately prior to recording ● Secure quiet environment ○ Silence phones and any other devices that might interrupt the recording ○ Post a sign on the door not to be disturbed ● Position speaking notes and props before you start recording ● Bring drinking water During recording ● Use microfiber cloths to clean the board ● Use regular speaking voice ● Make sure you move to a speaking area and look at camera when not writing Tips: Consider natural flow of your presentation, then adjust duration of each segment accordingly (approximately 8-12 minutes each). Be cautious of a file size. A standard 10-minute recording at 1080p HD is approximately 1GB. Post-production You may use any video editing software to perform the following procedures. ● Editing video ○ Consider length of your segment Tips: • • •
Create title slides that can be reused later to reduce post production time. Use video transition cross dissolve and audio transition crossfade → Constant Gain Use video transition cross dissolve and audio transition crossfade → Exponential Fade
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Preparing video for distribution ○ Follow guidelines of your academic program for video distribution ■ Canvas ■ Kaltura ■ YouTube Additional resources Light-Board diigo
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Appendix A Connecting Polsen Wireless Microphone to Canon Camcorder 1. The Polsen Wireless system consists of two units: the transmitter and the receiver, as shown in Figure 11.
Figure 11. Polsen transmitter, receiver, and camcorder 2. Connect the lapel microphone to the mic in jack on the transmitter, shown in Figure 12.
Figure 12. Transmitter with microphone input 3. Connect the 1/8� audio cable to the audio out jack on the receiver, shown in Figure 13.
Figure 13. Receiver with audio cable
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4. Connect the other end of the 1/8� audio cable to the mic jack on the camera, shown in Figure 14.
Figure 14. Mic input on camcorder 5. Make sure that the channel switch on both the transmitter and the receiver match (either A or B).
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