Quick Start Guide

The following is an outline of the steps involved in recording for the first time:

Step 1 - Request Site

Request a URL to a new recording site where all the recordings will be listed. More Info

Step 2 - Set up Recording Schedule (Optional)

Optionally request an automated recording schedule for your event. This can be done as part of your site request above, or by sending e-mail to caen@umich.edu.

Step 3 - Distribute the URL

Distribute the site URL to the viewing audience through CTools, e-mail, or other means. More Info

Step 4 - Make the Recording

Use the web-based interface to start and stop the recorder for the event, or allow the automated recording schedule to do this step for you. Optionally, operate the camera during the event using the web interface. More Info

Step 5 - Edit and Make Available

Use the management interface to enter the title of the recording, and optionally trim the start and end. Click a checkbox to make the recording visible. More Info

Step 6 - You're Done

Your lecture is now available online. To record another lecture in the same site, go back to step 4 above. Viewers can now watch the recording. More Info

More Detailed Instructions

Requesting a Recording Site

All recordings made on the Lecture Recording System are stored in collections called "Sites". A site usually contains lectures related to each other, such as all sessions of a particular class or each guest lecture in a lecture series. Each site has a unique URL that can be distributed to viewers using C-Tools, e-mail, or other means.

To request a site be created, send e-mail to caen@umich.edu with the following information:

• The name of the course or event (for example, EECS 314 Winter 2008, or ACM Lecture Series)
• The name of the instructor or event organizer.
• The uniqnames of any people who need access to the management system for the recordings. Names of the viewers are not needed. This list should include the people who will operate the recorder, enter metadata for each recording, trim the recordings, etc.
• Location where the event takes place. This should ideally be in a room that has a built-in lecture recorder. If not, arrangements need to be made for access to the mobile recording cart.
• Also, if an automated schedule is desired, indicate when the events will take place. An automated schedule will start and stop the recorder based on a pre-arranged schedule. Alternatively, the event organizer can connect to the system and start/stop the recorder manually.

Distribute the URL

One common way to distribute the viewing link to students is through CTools. The Web Content tool in CTools is useful for this purpose, and creates an easy-to-find link on the left side of your CTools site. See the video below for a quick walkthrough on how this is done.

To view a video tutorial on linking recordings in CTools, click here.

Making a Recording

A recording can be made on a scheduled or non-scheduled basis. Scheduled recordings are set up by CAEN based on start and stop times you provide. The recorder will then start and stop recording based on that predefined schedule.

Alternatively, the recorder can be operated in a non-scheduled mode, where you connect and control the start and stop times manually.

To view a video tutorial on non-scheduled recording, click here.

Preparing your Recording for Viewing

After a recording is finished and uploaded to the server, a web-based interface can be used to:

• Enter the title of the recording
• Enter an optional description
• Trim the beginning and end of the recording
• Choose the desired output formats (flash video, podcast formats, etc.)
• Set whether the recording is visible to the public
• Move or copy the lecture to other recording sites.

To view a video tutorial on preparing your recording, click here.

Access the management page by clicking Login to Capture System on the left of this page.

Tips on Viewing Recordings

Viewing Podcast Formats

When editing the title and description of a recording, the instructor can also elect to provide podcast versions of the recording to viewers. This is done by checking one or more of the output format checkboxes as shown below:

Podcast formats are subscribed to using a link on the viewing index page for that site. Clicking this link will invoke iTunes on the user's computer. The following video gives a quick example of subscribing to a podcast format, viewing it, and some tips for using it on an iPhone or iPod Touch.

To view a video tutorial on subscribing to podcasts, click here.

Using the Mobile Cart

Unlike the capture systems built into classrooms, the mobile cart is not always connected to the network or even powered on. As a result, some manual intervention is required to choose when lectures should be uploaded to the server.

When a lecture is recorded, it is stored on the local recorder. When a recording is finished, it needs to be uploaded to a server to be made available. This upload process can take anywhere from a few minutes to 30 minutes or more depending on how busy the server is. For this reason, the cart does not automatically upload the recording until instructed specifically to do so.

To manage the upload of recordings, turn on the small touchscreen located on the top of the cart using the button on the front left of the unit. You should then see a display similar to the following:

A status line at the bottom of the display will indicate how many recordings need to be uploaded to the server. The following describes the meaning of the buttons:

Power Off Cart
Press this if you need to move the cart and can not wait for any uploading to complete first.

Upload Recordings, then Power Off Cart
Press this if the cart is in a location where it can remain powered up and on the network for at least an hour or so. The cart will power off after all recordings are successfully uploaded to the server.

Upload Recordings Only
Press this to upload recordings but leave the cart powered on afterwards. This is useful to upload recordings to the server between sessions being held in the same classroom.

Requesting Training

If you have any questions about this process, or would like to meet with someone to go over how everything works, please send e-mail to caen@umich.edu.