Using the Lightboard: Production
The Lightboard Studio is an innovative tool to record professional video presentations on a transparent glass surface. Take the time to study the instructions provided below. Understand how the equipment works and know how make adjustments that will improve the quality of the recording. We recommend reviewing the Lightboard Tips page before planning your session. This training reviews the Production step.
Setting Up the Room:
Make sure you have reserved the room using either the panel outside the lightboard room door or through the online scheduler.
Upon entering the room, remember to place the “Studio In Use” sign on the outside of the door.
Please note, while you are getting the technology set up for your presentation you may use the room's lighting, though you will want to turn off the room's light while you are adjusting the lightboard's blacklight and studio lights for your presentation.
Turn on the Lightboard using the Power On button on the console. This will automatically turn on the camera and the Lightboard lights.
Next, turn on the wireless mouse and keyboard and sign on to the PC computer with your MYWSU ID and password. (You may wish to move up closer to the monitor to do so.)
As part of your set up, we strongly recommend that you clean the surface of the glass with the provided cloth and glass cleaner to eliminate any lingering smudges or marker residue from previous use, and to ensure the the best quality image for your presentation. *Please note, once you adjust the lightboard and room lighting, additional smudges or marker residue may be visible.
If the cleaning cloth is too soiled or the glass cleaner empty, please call 978-3588 and let us know what items need replaced. We will send someone immediately to replace those items.
Adjusting Your Lightboard and Room Lighting:
Make adjustments to the room's primary lighting. In most instances, the lightboard will perform better with the room lighting turned off.
Next, adjust the brightness of lightboard's studio lights; each with its own dial on the right side of the unit.
The first two dials adjust the LED brightness around the top and sides of the Lightboard.
The third dial adjusts the blacklight brightness and it is recommended to keep this one turned all the way up.
When making these adjustments, please use the confidence monitor to review how the lighting changes impact your own images, as well as the writing you do on the board.
Selecting Your Recording Option:
*Please note: You should only choose one recording option to ensure the best outcome. Choosing multiple recording techniques (such as Zoom and Panopto) will confuse the system and cause one or both options to fail to record.
If you are using a thumb drive, insert into USB port and follow the instructions on the recording device.
If you are using an overlay of texts, photos, graphics, video or PPT, connect your laptop to the provided (full-size) HDMI “overlay” cable.
If you are using Zoom, open your meeting link and ensure the camera and microphone are properly selected.
If you are using Panopto, please sign in and select a microphone and correct “quality” setting, Standard, High or Ultra.
Again, it is highly recommended that you do a short test recording before beginning your official presentation to ensure that your microphone and video are picking up as intended. If you have switched back and forth between applications that use the camera and microphone before you start your recording, the capture may be impacted.
Setting Up to Present:
Take a moment to consider how you wish to present. Will you be standing, sitting, or a combination of both? How do you want to begin? Once you have decided how you want to present, adjust the height of Lightboard with up and down arrow buttons.
Turn off the room's lights and adjust the lightboard lighting, if you have not already done so.
Frame what will be the final recorded image. Take note that the edges of the glass extend beyond the camera’s view and you will not be able to write with the markers to the full width of the glass.
The camera captures at a 16:9 format range, similar to most widescreen televisions. Consider saving space inside the framed surface to add captioning or graphics in post-production.
To cut down on writing during your presentation, you may consider having parts of your text already written on the glass with the markers.
Contemplate where, in the room, you are standing.
The microphone is located above the Lightboard and aimed toward you. You can stand anywhere in front of the Lightboard and record with an even audio. But it does have a limited range and should not pick up much audio beyond a few feet.
Audio levels are preset and not adjustable.
Once you have completed all of your set up and have done a short test video, you can begin your recording and/or presentation.
If new markers, cleaner, cloths, or thumb drives are needed, or if you need to report a problem with the Lightboard operation, please contact Campus Media Services at 978-3588 and we will send someone over as soon as possible.