NCast Presentation Recorder Reference Manual
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VGA Splitter – A VGA splitter is a small distribution amplifier which accepts a VGA signal as
input and provides two or more VGA signals as output. The VGA splitter plus two extra
cables is all that’s required. One cable (a short one, one or two meters in length) connects
the output of the presentation PC to the splitter. The other cable (a long one, 25 meters or
more) connects the output of the splitter to the input capture card of the Presentation
Recorder. A long cable is required as the Presentation Recorder recording table/station is
frequently in the back of the room (where there is a power connection and where the
technician can operate the video camera). The projector plugs into the second output of the
splitter. Test all the cable connections ahead of time to insure correct mating, or bring along
enough gender-changer adapters to accommodate misconnections.
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Projector Loopback Output – Some projectors have a loopback output connector, and that is
a suitable place for the Presentation Recorder to capture the graphics signal.
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Presentation Recorder Loopback Output – The room projector can be plugged into the
loopback output of the Presentation Recorder.
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Matrix switcher – Some A/V setups have an XGA matrix switcher as part of the room
installation, and the Presentation Recorder could plug into one of the output connectors on
that device.
13.2.2. Capturing Video
The video signal for PIP or side-by-side video is usually easy to obtain. Most cameras have Composite
or S-video output connectors available, and only an appropriate cable is required to connect to the
Presentation Recorder.
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Make sure that the camera’s video output does not have time/date stamps, battery icons or
other clutter on the signal being captured. There are usually menu options to turn these
information icons off.
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Arrange with the conference staff to have one or two spotlights on the podium. Often the
room lights will go dark so the audience can see the projection screen, and if there is no
lighting on the speaker, the video quality deteriorates rapidly. Ask the speakers to not
wander from the lighted podium area.
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A dark background behind the speaker leads to visually pleasing results. White screens,
white tablets or signs behind the podium will lead to backlighting of the speaker, causing the
exposure level on the speaker to go dark. Remove any unneeded visual clutter behind the
podium. Ask the conference staff for a black curtain or sheet behind podium if there are
whiteboards or bright white surfaces there.
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Speakers often like to stand directly in front of the projection screen while making a point.
This leads to horrible backlight problems for the camera and a terrible recording. Ask
speakers not to stand in front of the screen. The screen should not be anywhere in the
framing of a video shot.
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Keep the video shots “tight” on the speaker. The PIP format reduces the size, and it’s best to
have as large a headshot as possible. Video of half the room is neither visually pleasing nor
does it convey the karma of the speaker.
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Mount the camera on a high tripod. Waiters, latecomers and other traffic right in front of the
camera is very distracting to the video recording.
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Speakers invariably move around, and it is unrealistic to not have an operator full-time on the
camera, unless there is some sort of automatic tracking device being used.
13.2.3. Capturing Sound
Quality sound recording is probably one of the most important requirements for a decent presentation
capture. Viewers will find the presentation incomprehensible if the audio is soft, distorted or noisy. This is
especially true if there are non-native language speakers or listeners. Clean audio can be achieved by
following these steps:
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Lavalier Microphone – The best audio capture is through use of wireless lavalier (lapel)
microphone on the speaker. Including one in the Presentation Recorder gadget bag is a
really good idea. The levels will be consistently correct (through experience), and the results
will be predictable.
NCast Corporation
Revision 1.0
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