Difference between revisions of "Project Straylight"
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== Plan == | == Plan == | ||
Build a portable, RaspberryPi based Lightboard for recording lessons/lectures/demos. A lightboard allows the instructor to write on a whiteboard in front of them while facing the camera. See: [https://sites.google.com/site/northwesternlightboard/ Northwestern Lightboard] for examples | Build a portable, RaspberryPi based Lightboard for recording lessons/lectures/demos. A lightboard allows the instructor to write on a whiteboard in front of them while facing the camera. See: [https://sites.google.com/site/northwesternlightboard/ Northwestern Lightboard] for examples | ||
Demo videos: | |||
[Youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsAPPUVK-DY&list=PLqATPiC_Bcl-t8vrzZlnGi3HTurs9Yuf3] | |||
== Status == | == Status == | ||
The basic | The basic lightboard is assembled and working. | ||
The RaspberryPi and camera is set up to automatically boot into camera preview mode with the image flipped horizontally. | The RaspberryPi and camera is set up to automatically boot into camera preview mode with the image flipped horizontally. | ||
| Line 36: | Line 39: | ||
== Todo/Version 2 == | == Todo/Version 2 == | ||
=== Software === | |||
* Video mixer to be able to overlay images into the background in real time | |||
* Experiment with the RaspberryPi cameras settings for white balance, image stabilization, etc for optimal recording | |||
* Script that automatically starts and stops recording of video and audio on a trigger | |||
* Script to mix the audio and video into a single file for easier post-production | |||
* Auto-mounting of a USB thumb drive at boot time and set this as the default location for recordings, or post-mixing drops to eliminate users from needed access to the RaspberryPi | |||
=== Hardware === | |||
* Give the presenter a remote control to start and stop recording from behind the board. Keyboard or mouse would be fine. | |||
* Redesign the floor mounts of the board to be sturdier and to allow for a heavier board | |||
* Use tempered glass instead of acrylic for better long term durability (current budget wouldn't allow for this at approximately twice the cost, plus twice the weight) | |||
* Edge light with solid white LED strip instead of RGB strip (RGD was available so was used although not necessary) | |||
* Add a second RaspberryPi/monitor/45degree piece of acrylic in front of the camera for a teleprompter | |||
* On-air light: Add a red LED to the VESA mount, hooked into a GPIO on the RaspberryPi, that can be turned on and off via script. This will edge light the mount with a red glow when the Pi is recording. | |||
* Add WiFi and set up Network Time Protocol (NTP) or add a real time clock (RTC) to the Pi so the time stamping of files is accurate. | |||
* If Lightboard is set up in a semi-permanent location (The podcast studio?) set up better ambient lighting for optimal recording | |||
Revision as of 04:19, 23 February 2015
Basics
We have a $500 Budget (funded!) to build an educational project to display and demo at the upcoming EDExpo (late February)
Plan
Build a portable, RaspberryPi based Lightboard for recording lessons/lectures/demos. A lightboard allows the instructor to write on a whiteboard in front of them while facing the camera. See: Northwestern Lightboard for examples
Demo videos: [Youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsAPPUVK-DY&list=PLqATPiC_Bcl-t8vrzZlnGi3HTurs9Yuf3]
Status
The basic lightboard is assembled and working.
The RaspberryPi and camera is set up to automatically boot into camera preview mode with the image flipped horizontally.
Budget
RaspberryPi Recording
- RaspberryPi B: $35
- RaspberryPi Camera: $30
- Monitor with HDMI input: $100
- Powered USB Hub: $10
- USB sound card for recording: $10
- Microphone: $15
- HDMI and misc cables: $20
- RaspberryPi Mount: $0 (3D printed)
- VESA Mount to monitor: $0 (Laser cut from scrap acrylic)
- Software: $0 (all open source)
Lightboard
- 3x6" .220" thick Acrylic: $100
- 25mm extruded aluminum frame: $80
- LED lighting strip and power supply: $25
- Neon EXPO dry erase markers: $15
- Black canvas for backdrop (2.75 yards): $10
- PVC for backdrop stand: $15 (estimate as this was scrap)
- Baskets for markers: $5
- Misc screws and brackets: $25
Total: $495
Todo/Version 2
Software
- Video mixer to be able to overlay images into the background in real time
- Experiment with the RaspberryPi cameras settings for white balance, image stabilization, etc for optimal recording
- Script that automatically starts and stops recording of video and audio on a trigger
- Script to mix the audio and video into a single file for easier post-production
- Auto-mounting of a USB thumb drive at boot time and set this as the default location for recordings, or post-mixing drops to eliminate users from needed access to the RaspberryPi
Hardware
- Give the presenter a remote control to start and stop recording from behind the board. Keyboard or mouse would be fine.
- Redesign the floor mounts of the board to be sturdier and to allow for a heavier board
- Use tempered glass instead of acrylic for better long term durability (current budget wouldn't allow for this at approximately twice the cost, plus twice the weight)
- Edge light with solid white LED strip instead of RGB strip (RGD was available so was used although not necessary)
- Add a second RaspberryPi/monitor/45degree piece of acrylic in front of the camera for a teleprompter
- On-air light: Add a red LED to the VESA mount, hooked into a GPIO on the RaspberryPi, that can be turned on and off via script. This will edge light the mount with a red glow when the Pi is recording.
- Add WiFi and set up Network Time Protocol (NTP) or add a real time clock (RTC) to the Pi so the time stamping of files is accurate.
- If Lightboard is set up in a semi-permanent location (The podcast studio?) set up better ambient lighting for optimal recording