What to check (while at the classroom) to ensure Course Capture is recording properly

Most recording issues are preventable! It’s essential to check both audio and video settings before your lecture starts. Follow the guidelines below to ensure everything is properly set up.

Audio

In order for Course Capture to receive and record audio, you’ll need to speak into a microphone. Here’s how to check if Course Capture is getting audio!

Lapel

Lapel microphones are provided in every classroom and are designed to capture high-quality audio. Here’s how to use them effectively:

• Placement: Clip the microphone about two inches below your collarbone, with the microphone facing up. The bodypack can be placed in a pocket, clip onto a belt, or simply held in your hands.
  • Avoid loose clothing, such as scarves, as it will produce rustling noises
  • Alternative overhead/Madonna mic types are also available at instructional equipment checkout
• Battery Check: At the start of the class, battery level should at least be 2 bars. Extra batteries are usually inside the black AV box or in a cubby near the lectern
  • Some classrooms have docking stations instead of battery-operated packs. If a microphone is low on battery, replace it with one from the dock.
• Check the audio confidence meter!

Ceiling Microphones

Upgraded Flex rooms are equipped with ceiling microphones, which can capture various classroom activities:

• Stage Mode: Captures audio primarily from the front of the room.
• Room Mode: Captures audio from the entire room.
• Mute Mode: Mutes all ceiling microphones.

To see if your classroom has a ceiling microphone, check your classroom at the classroom database and look for “Ceiling Beamforming Microphone (supports audience audio capture)”

Video

Course Capture records two video streams. One is the projection. Anything displayed on the projector will be recorded. If nothing is being displayed, a blue screen or a blank screen will be recorded instead. The second is the camera view. The camera view is most useful for classes with a lot of chalkboard use. 

• How to adjust the camera view

There is a confidence monitor, usually a mini-display near the touch panel, at every classroom that will give you a preview of what is being recorded. 

 

Important! Make sure you check the confidence monitor to see if both the projection and camera are showing side-by-side. 

 

Newly upgraded Flex classrooms have the confidence monitor integrated into the Zoom Room TV located at the back of the room. These rooms also feature an audience camera, which can be used for Zoom meetings. Note that Course Capture will only record this camera if it is displayed on the projector.

Check your recordings regularly

Regularly checking your recordings will catch issues earlier! Please report any classroom issues as soon as possible. (see the next section on how)

How to get Help

The Course Capture and Classroom teams need your help with reporting issues. If you see something is wrong or missing, please let us know. 

• In-class support: If you need immediate assistance with technology or require additional batteries, contact the classroom helpdesk at 510-643-8637 or use the chat feature at classrooms.berkeley.edu.
• Post-Class Issues: please email coursecapture@berkeley.edu if it is a recording issue or email classroomav@berkeley.edu if you know the issue is with the classroom AV equipment. 
  
  

Course Capture is partnering with a few departments to offer this service in departmental classrooms, but their in-room technology and supporting structure are different. If your classroom is listed below, please use the listed contact to report any in-room issues.

• Davis 406, 502, 544: Please email computing@ce.berkeley.edu 
• O'Brien 212: Please email computing@ce.berkeley.edu 
• Jacobs Hall 310: Please email esg@eecs.berkeley.edu 
• McCone 365: Please email eps-tech-help@berkeley.edu