One Button Studio

November 7, 2017

One Button Studio User Guide This document contains the description of the One Button Studio, provides guidance for usage, presents some logistical details, and outlines some troubleshooting steps.

Intro The One Button Studio is a self-contained, mobile studio cart originally developed by Penn State. The mobile cart (Fig. 1a) has the following components: a video camera, microphone, Apple computer for recording, USB hub, a button to start and end the recording, two monitors (one to attach your laptop to display scripts, PowerPoint presentations, or other visual cues for your video presentation and one so you could see what is being recorded), and a chroma key controller device to select green or blue screen colors depending on your attire and skin tone.

We added an FSU COE backdrop (Fig. 1b) and a chroma key screen (Fig 1c) to this set up.

Many universities have been successfully implementing and utilizing the system. Both faculty and students consider it to be beneficial for: • • • • • • • • •

Rehearsing for class presentations, thesis or dissertation defenses Creating videos for online courses Creating videos for recruitment, training, or professional development seminars Creating ePortfolio materials or video essays Practicing one’s public speaking skills Using the reflective green/blue screen to create visual effects Recording a group interview or podcast Recording presentations for virtual conference attendance Recording mock client interactions

More potential uses of the One Button Studio are described in detail at this Diigo collection.

The main benefits of the One Button Studio are professional quality recording and ease of operation (thus, the name). It also encodes and compresses your video footage to your USB drive in real time and the recorded video is ready as soon as you press the button to end the recording (of course you can do additional edits later if you wish).

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Figure 1. One Button Studio set up in STB 3304 including a cart (a), FSU COE backdrop (b), and chroma key screen (c)

Logistics The One Button Studio is located in STB 3304 and reservations can be made with the LRC staff (STB 1301, 644-4553, 8am-10pm M-R, 8am-6pm Fr) who also keep the key to the room. The Studio’s camera is configured to auto focus and its zoom is configured for recording in STB 3304 in a standing or seated position approximately six feet in front of the Studio cart. Additional manual zoom controls are available on the top of the video camera if the default settings are not suitable for your recording session. The setup has a fixed reflective green/blue screen on a rail, a portable FSU COE backdrop, and a fixed professional quality lighting system. If for some 2

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reason you prefer to use the system in your office, classroom, or a conference room in STB, you can easily move the cart to the alternate location. Upon a prior agreement, you can also take a COE backdrop if needed as it is portable. However the lights and the green screen are not portable. If you need to modify the camera settings, please consult with an OIIT staff member (coe-help@lists.fsu.edu, 644-2094) prior to checking the cart out.

To prepare for a successful recording, please have your presentation and/or notes ready, make a reservation with the LRC staff, and allocate some time for practice and test recording.

Consider your attire and appearance (see some guidelines here). Bring your USB thumb drive with enough free space and you are ready to go! Remember to turn your cell phone off during the recording to avoid any interruptions.

USB: Because your recording will be saved on the USB drive, you need to make sure it has enough free space. Thus, for about 30 minutes of recording with the preset specifications you will need at least 1GB free space on your USB thumb drive. When you are finished recording you will have a .mp4 file on your USB drive. The .mp4 format can be played by most media players and mobile media devices.

These are the basic One Button Studio steps: Plug your flash drive into the USB hub located beneath the monitor to activate the lights and camera, press the silver button to start recording your presentation, record, press the same silver button to stop the recording, and remove your flash drive. Your video is ready to be disseminated as is, unless you would like to edit it.

Using a blue/green screen: If you are planning to use green screen effects and add backgrounds later (the most widely known example is a weather person standing in front of the weather map), make sure you sit or stand at least 3 feet from the screen while recording. The chroma key controller is located to the left of the silver button and has a toggle switch that lets you alternate between blue and green lighting when using the chroma key screen. It also has additional controls that allow you to control the intensity of the lighting output (0-100%). When you have finished your recording, you can add special effects. See this Diigo collection for some resources using a green/blue screen.

Setting up the FSU COE backdrop: The FSU COE backdrop requires up to 5 minutes to setup/install and it is easier to do with 2 people. Due to its maximum height of 8 feet, it is highly recommended to lay the backdrop on the floor for initial assembly. Please see Appendix A for manufacturer instructions on setting up the backdrop in STB 3304 or alternate locations. Once installed, plan to stand about 1 foot away from the backdrop to provide depth of field and assist the camera’s automatic focus. Please pack the backdrop back to the carrying case after you finish recording or request assistance.

Using the secondary monitor: The upper monitor is available to display PowerPoint presentations, cue cards, and other visual items from a secondary device such as a laptop. The default connections for this monitor are HDMI and/or display port. (A laptop and appropriate cable is available for checkout from the LRC if needed.)

Video editing: Once you’ve recorded in the One Button Studio, you can use the raw footage to create a video that includes other elements such as music, titles, captions, photography, and video footage shot outside STB 3304. Please note that STB 3304 and the Apple computer hosting the One Button Studio is not a production space. If you plan to edit your video, consider using programs such as Apple’s Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro (available for faculty 3

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and staff via Adobe Creative Cloud on their FSU computers and to all at COE on the computer labs (STB 1301 A and E and Tully 2016)). Free video editing tools are listed at this Diigo collection. Lynda.com, available to all at FSU, provides training on using many video editors.

Using One Button Studio in STB 3304 We strongly recommend using the One Button Studio in room 3304 because of the following factors: 1. The device and its lighting have been pre-staged and optimized for this location. The additional automated lights on tripods may only be used in this room and are not available in alternate locations.

2. You can use a reflective green/blue screen if needed.

3. The room is relatively quiet and you will not have interruptions as you might have in your office.

Steps outlined in Fig. 2 provide instructions on how to make your recording in STB 3304. Enter STB 3304 and turn the regular lights on using the switch by the door. Decide what background you are going to use (FSU COE backdrop or a green/blue screen, especially if you are planning to add backgrounds and edit your video recording later). The Apple computer inside the cart is always on and ready to record, so you do not need to start it or select any icons.

Insert your USB into the 4 port USB hub

Ensure tripod lights turn on and a live video feed displays on the screen

Firmly press the large silver button located beside the USB hub

Wait for the 5 second countdown to begin recording

Firmly press the large silver button again to end recording

Remove your USB drive when finished

Figure 1. Steps for using One Button Studio in STB 3304

Disclaimer: Your live video footage will appear with a 2-3 second delay on the One Button Studio display (bottom monitor). This delay is normal and cannot be altered. If it is disturbing for you, please feel free to turn that monitor off.

Using One Button Studio outside STB 3304 The mobility of the One Button Studio cart allows you to record presentations, meetings, and events in any Stone Building location. The 8’x 8’ FSU COE backdrop is available to use in 4

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mobile setups and is ready within minutes (see Appendix A for setup instructions). The dimensions of the carrying case are 32”x”12”x”12” and it weighs approximately 20 lbs (seek assistance with carrying it if needed). Alternatively, you can record against any background (a wall, a book shelf), but make sure it is not too crowded and distracting. Please be mindful of appropriate lighting and background noises. Steps outlined in Fig. 3 provide instructions on operation of the setup and making your recording in a remote location. The recording Apple computer on the cart is always on, so you do not need to start it or select any icons. When you decide where you would like to record and position a One Button Studio cart appropriately, please make sure you get all devices plugged in. If needed, extension cords and power strips can be checked out from the LRC.

Insert your USB into the 4 port USB hub

Ensure a live video feed displays on the screen

Firmly press the large silver button located beside the USB hub

Wait for the 5 second countdown to begin recording

Firmly press the large silver button again to end recording

Remove your USB drive when finished

Figure 3. Steps for using One Button Studio in a remote location

Disclaimer: Your live video footage will appear with a 2-3 second delay on the One Button Studio display (bottom monitor). This delay is normal and cannot be altered. If it is disturbing for you, please feel free to turn that monitor off.

Troubleshooting We do not anticipate many issues. Below are some potential problems and ways to resolve them.

1. One Button Studio software is not prominently displayed on the screen.

If the One Button Studio start up menu is not displayed (Fig. 4), request an OIIT staff member to unlock the cart so the keyboard and mouse can be accessed for further troubleshooting steps.

Once the keyboard and mouse are set up, please choose the restart option on the dedicated One Button Studio computer from the Apple menu or press the Control-Command-Eject keys simultaneously to reboot.

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Figure 4. One Button Studio startup menu. This will be the initial image on the screen before inserting a USB thumb drive.

Wait until the computer completes the restart process and the One Button Studio software should load correctly.

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I insert my USB thumb drive but the One Button Studio software states the drive is not formatted correctly.

Please ensure your USB thumb drive has been formatted in FAT32 format. If you continue to experience issues, please try an alternate thumb drive or call OIIT at 644-2094 for further assistance.

3.

I insert my thumb drive but the Studio’s tripod lighting does not power on.

The setup has three additional LED lights on tripods throughout the room. Verify that lights are plugged into their respective electrical outlets and the power switch located on the back of each light is in the “on” position. If the lights are still not responding, please remove the USB drive and restart the computer. Reinsert the drive and lights should power on. If the issue persists, contact OIIT at 644-2094 as there may be an issue with the automation software. If your recording is urgent, you can proceed recording without the LED light, but the quality of video might be poor.

4.

I insert my thumb drive but there is no live feed displayed in the One Button Studio.

Verify that the video camera’s power cable is plugged in and that the video camera is powered on. Remove your USB thumb drive and restart the computer. Reinsert the drive once the software reloads after reboot and verify that a live feed is now displayed on the monitor For all other questions or issues, please contact OIIT at 644-2094 for further assistance.

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Appendix A FSU COE Backdrop Assembly

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