Shawn Weisfeld

I find when I talk to myself nobody listens. - Shawn Weisfeld
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My Recording Rig v1

After attending user group presentations for years, I was always saddened when I was unable to attend and missed some great content. Additionally within INETA we have a desire to provide more content on our video sharing website (http://live.ineta.org). The only issue was how to capture this content, while not detracting from the live presentation.

My main requirement was first and foremost not to detract from the user group meetings. Thus I wanted a solution that did not require any software to be installed on the presenter’s computer, thus no Camtasia or LiveMeeting. So I began researching a segment of hardware called “frame grabbers”. Below is my parts list and a diagram of the layout.

My second requirement was to capture both the computer screen and the image of the speaker and do a picture in picture so the person that watched the video could see both.

The purpose of the "plastic box" is to reduce the number of wires that need to be connected and torn down before/after the meetings. Like any good developer I solve problems by adding a layer of abstraction.

VideoDiag

Parts List: Total $5,045

Item

Price

URL

VGA2Ethernet (aka Frame Grabber)

$1,600

http://www.epiphan.com/

50 foot Ethernet Cable

$32

 

2 Port VGA Splitter

$30

http://www.frys.com/product/5944664

Plastic Box

$2

 

25 foot extension cord

$15 x2

 

Power Strip

$10 x2

 

JVC GR-D870 Mini DV Video Camera

$200

http://camcorder.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL028241&pathId=26&page=10

Wireless Lapel Microphone

$125

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-PRO88W-R35-Wireless-Microphone-System/dp/B00006I523/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254340717&sr=8-11

10 foot 1394 cable

$46

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/311615/Iogear-IEEE-1394-Firewire-4-Pin/

Headphones

$10

 

Powerful Laptop

$1600

64 bit, quad core, lots-o-ram

Wirecast from Telestream

$450

http://www.telestream.net/wire-cast/overview.htm

Camtasia

$300

http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp

Expression Encoder

$600

http://www.microsoft.com/expression/

Print | posted on Monday, October 19, 2009 6:02 PM | Filed Under [ INETA INETA LIVE ]

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# re: My Recording Rig v1

Interesting setup but probably too expensive for the typical UG that might want to do this. We have experimented with various things and being able to record without installing software is attractive. However, it is possible to run the Camtasia record exe from a USB stick and record to another. It is not necessary to install Camtasia. We have found that lighting is the real challenge when trying to capture the speaker especially with a lower end video camera. Camtasia can then be used for post processing. Most UG's can get a free copy if you talk to Techsmith nicely and they will also provide a limited Screencast account to stream the videos.
1/11/2010 5:55 PM | Graham Jones
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# re: My Recording Rig v1

I agree with you it is VERY expensive, perhaps too expensive. . .

I did some research on running Camtasia from a USB stick. . .
http://forums.techsmith.com/showthread.php?t=10870

Regardless it still doesn't solve the performance drag issue. . .

My thoughts were eventually getting someone to sponsor the rig, but I think I need a critical mass of videos before that can happen. . . . but if you are able to sponsor please drop me a line.
1/13/2010 5:46 AM | shawnweisfeld

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