A typical simple use of the software is to record Powerpoint slides, plus audio commentary using a simple USB microphone. There is one presentation computer at the front of the room, which has the software installed, and a USB microphone plugged into the USB port. The software will capture audio, together with what is shown on the presentation screen (usually slides). If video is required (optional), a webcam can be attached to the presentation computer via USB.
Two computers are optimal in large lecture rooms: a front presentation computer and a second computer in an AV booth at the back of the room, each with the Panopto software installed. The front PC captures Powerpoint slides, while simultaneous feeds from the projector, microphones and room camera(s) can be captured on the PC at the back. The back PC could also take input from a wall- or roof-mounted camera. The back PC has the advantage that it is less likely to be tampered with or powered down; it can also be set up with a timetable of daily recordings that will be triggered automatically. Any front laptop or visualiser going into the projectors can also be wired into the back PC through an input card, along with a mixed audio feed coming from the public address system in the room.
Audio
Audio is usually the most important consideration when creating a recording, but is often the most overlooked.
Replay accepts only a single audio input, so all microphones must be pre-mixed before being fed into the Replay capture PC. As of Panopto version 5.0 (released December 2015), Replay can also capture the PC audio directly, in addition to the microphone audio input. This is useful for capturing YouTube videos or other demonstrations where the PC audio output is important.
Often in larger teaching spaces there will be an existing amplification system. Depending on the location of the Replay PC, it may be possible to take an audio feed from this to use as the audio source.
Most teaching spaces employ a combination of wireless lavalier (tie clip) microphones and flat boundary microphones. Lavalier microphones generally offer better sound quality by virtue of them being very close to the presenter’s mouth at all times, even if they walk around the stage. However, presenters will often forget to wear them or to unmute them, and in these situations it can be useful to have a boundary microphone as a backup, particularly since Replay will fail to record at all if there is no audio source.
Boundary microphones have the advantage of being always-on, but are adequate only if the presenter stands close to it throughout the lecture. Boundary microphones also tend to pick up more audience audio which can be both useful (audience questions and discussions) and detrimental (coughs).
The golden rule is to get the microphone as close as possible to the presenter’s mouth. A £50 microphone placed a metre from the presenter will sound far better than a £1000 microphone placed at the back of the room.
Cameras
Although audio and screen capture is often sufficient, a camera is required to capture blackboard or whiteboard writing.
Replay is compatible with a wide range of cameras, from internal or USB webcams, to network IP cameras, to professional video cameras with SDI or HDMI outputs. Whilst webcams can be an ideal way to get started using Replay, the positions in which they can be placed is limited, and they are more likely to be knocked or the cable accidentally unplugged during a recording. Similarly, professional video cameras on a tripod can provide a high quality image, but can also be knocked and cables typically need to be trailed across the floor to the capture PC. They also need to be set up and manned by a member of staff.
Instead, a permanent, wall-mounted solution is recommended. Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras are fully controllable via either a web interface or remote control, and usually have zoom lenses with a long range (10x or 20x) so these are ideal for placing at the back of a large teaching space. However, they tend to be quite expensive, in the region of £2-5k each depending on resolution, features and zoom range.
Bullet or dome-style network IP cameras are typically cheaper and more discrete than PTZ cameras, but have a smaller zoom range so are better suited to smaller teaching spaces, or should be mounted closer to the stage area.
PTZ cameras usually connect to the capture PC via SDI or HDMI so a video capture card is required, though IP video transfer (via an Ethernet cable) is becoming more common on these cameras. Network IP cameras transmit the video signal over the network via an Ethernet cable, which means the capture PC does not require a video capture card. Network IP cameras are usually powered via the same Ethernet cable used for video transfer, whereas PTZ cameras tend to require a separate power supply. As “power over ethernet” (POE) IP cameras require only the network cable, they are easier to install in difficult-to-reach places.
Provision for cabling and network points in the ceiling or at the back of the room for wall-mounted cameras. Cameras should ideally be placed centrally rather than at an angle, and cameras should not be pointed at students. A single camera per room is preferable as Replay can only display one camera at any one time, and multiple cameras force the viewer to constantly flip between camera views.
Physical space
Automatic lecture capture does not require a camera operator to be present, and as such there are no specific space requirements for cameras. However, a dedicated area at the back of the room is often useful for manned cameras on tripods for VIP events.
Typical requirements include one or two PCs, a microphone audio system (often linked to a mixer and amplifier), an optional camera, and a visualiser. Some of this equipment may be housed on or underneath the podium, some may be housed in an AV rack within the teaching space, or in a separate nearby projection booth.
