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 board is assembled and working.  
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


[Youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsAPPUVK-DY&list=PLqATPiC_Bcl-t8vrzZlnGi3HTurs9Yuf3]
=== 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