EdtechGuides: The MILL and TV Studio: The Presentation Station (DIY Studio)

About

The Presentation Station is a recording system for creating educational videos. It allows a presenter to be superimposed over a background, which can be an image, a screen capture, or a PowerPoint presentation. To keep the presentation on track, the notes from a PowerPoint can be displayed on-screen or the built-in autocue can be used.

The recording is saved as an mp4 video, which can be easily uploaded to a user's MediaSpace for use in their teaching.

To aid production time, the video is made live. With a title generator, pre-made arrangements and and an opportunity to pause, with a little planning no post editing will be required.

The system is located in the former TV Studio within the LEaD office (room B315) on the 3rd floor of University Building. To book a booth on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, please use the IT Self Service Portal.

Room equipment

Presenters are videoed against a large green-screen. This is removed live by the software and replaced with a different background.

green screen background

When using the equipment, please

Don't touch or stand close to the green-screen.
Don't wear any green, or it will also be replaced!
Don't wear a top with writing as your image may need to be mirrored.

Much of the system (including the camera) sits on a height adjustable desk. In order to optimise your position in the recording, the desk needs to be raised or lowered.

Use the controller on right of the desk to raise / lower the desk until the pointer corresponds to your height on the chart. Please note, the marks on the chart are not actual heights, so the 6' mark is not 6' from the ground. Please do not move the chart or reposition it - it is correct for the system.

height chart

desk height control

This is a screen which allows you to draw on its surface with a special pen. The pen is pressure sensitive, and so in some apps the harder you press, the thicker the line.

wacom cintiq tablet and pen

The system allow you to capture content from a screen and use it as a background. By default, this is the Wacom tablet screen, but it can be an external laptop connected to the system with the HDMI / USB-C cable.

The system refers to these two capture sources as 'Wacom' and 'Laptop'.

The pointer on-screen is controlled by an air-mouse. This responds to hand / arm movements. It takes a little bit of time to get used to, but after a couple of clicks you will have mastered the remote.

air mouse controller

Pressing the round button whilst moving the remote activates the pointer. Releasing the button stops the pointer from moving and it stays where it is.
Pressing quickly on the round button activates a mouse click.
The forward / back arrows can be used within PowerPoint for next / previous slide.
If you press down on the back arrow and move the controller up and down, it scrolls the page.

You'll find the microphone on the small trolley to the left of the desk. Remove it from the charging cable.
The microphone should already be switched on. If not, hold the round button on the side until 2 lights come on.
Attach the Rode microphone to an item of clothing (e.g., lapel) or attach it to the supplied lanyard and wear around your neck.
Please return the microphone to the trolly and insert the charging cable when finished.

In the centre of the studio is a black mat in a yellow box. Please stand on the mat when presenting as it will facilitate good positioning, even lighting and avoid spill from the green screen.

mat with yellow surround

Please do not touch or move the lights, main monitor or camera. Thank you.