Considering using two webcams and a Yeti to record me teaching students in a classroom

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Anonymous Poster - AP

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Hello Tom's Hardware community,

I need to record myself teaching another teacher's students in a standard elementary classroom. I need to edit the video, produce the video, and upload it for higher-ups to view. I am considering using a Blue Yeti USB Microphone for the sound. I am considering getting a Genius 120-degree Ultra Wide Angle Full HD Conference Webcam (WideCam F100) to capture the classroom and all of the students. Lastly, I am considering purchasing a second webcam, such as a Logitech HD Pro 920, 922, or 930 or something in the same range, to focus on the front of the classroom to help show what I have on the board and to show myself teaching when I am teaching in the front of the classroom. Perhaps, I could use my laptop's internal webcam as a third webcam for another perspective. I have a Canon Vixia HF R600 camcorder that has a battery that dies quickly (between one to two hours) that I could use to capture the classroom from the front of the class, or perhaps from a front corner of the class; however, I need to do something about the battery problem.

My laptop is an ASUS GL502VT with one change: I traded out the HDD with a 1 TB 850 EVO SSD. I also have the following software from CyberLink: PowerDirector 14, Screen Recorder, WaveEditor 2, Color Director 4, PhotoDirector 7, and AudioDirector 6. I also have an external 2 TB HDD (I think it is 720 RPM).

My big question: How do I make this happen?

My thoughts: I plug the Yeti Mic and the two webcams to my three USB 3.0 slots on my laptop; it has an HDMI slot too if it is useful info. I use some kind of software (do you know of a good one?) that will allow me to record from the two external webcams, my internal webcam, and the Yeti Mic at the same time without having to worry about the recording to time out after three hours, which is when my laptop's standard software times out the recording. I could potentially record the students from a different viewpoint using my Canon camcorder and add the video and audio portion to the mix with the PowerDirector 14 software, which I know how to use to make videos; I have made a few videos using it.

So, do you guys think this might work? If so, do you know the kind of software that I need to handle taking in multiple streams of information (webcams/mics)? What do you think about the Genius 120-degree webcam to view the whole classroom? Which webcam would be the more optimal one to focus on the front of the classroom? Is there a way I could plug my camcorder into the wall, so I do not have to worry about the battery from dying?

Do you guys think there is a better way? Am I making it overkill? Should I just get a second camcorder instead of the two webcams and just use my internal webcam, the two camcorders, and the Yeti Mic? Should I use a different Mic, or is the Yeti mic good enough to pick up sounds from across the room? I mentioned the external HDD, because I was thinking that I should just use that to backup my videos there before editing them and rendering the video. I was wondering if it is possible for the information to be streamed to both my internal SSD and my external HDD at the same time to save me time in the long run. Do you know if this is possible using any kind of software that is within a reasonable price?

Please note: I need to keep the equipment unobtrusive as much as possible. I can't be having cords (tripping hazards) going everywhere. I cannot be installing anything anywhere. It is not my classroom, so I have to be mindful of that. My budget: I am getting reimbursed for the costs, so as long as it is required to make it happen, then it is likely acceptable. If it costs too much, then I won't get reimbursed. At least, I get an approval/denial before I can make the purchase. Quality is considered in costs, yet it can't get crazy ridiculous: I am not making a movie. I am thinking I can get away with a few hundred dollars as long as I can show why I need to spend that much.

I look forward to any help on this. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Anonymous Poster - AP
 
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Ralston18

Ralston18

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What time frame do you have?

My suggestion is to start simple; e.g., a single camera source and microphone. Use what you have have - the laptop and maybe a Bluetooth microphone just to allow you fuller freedom of movement.

Starting simple has the advantage that you can learn as you go without undo complications and "do-overs". I do understand that you want your "presentation" to be professional and impressive.

However an overlly complex setup may get in the way of things especially if something goes wrong. Who really knows how the classroom area will present with respect to the video and audio you record. Lighting, internal accoustics, outside sounds. No fun having a big truck or airplane go by during your "big moment".

Do some trial runs if you have time. That will also allow you (and the students) to become more comfortable in the presence of the camera(s). No amount of $$ of equipment, editing etc. will mask any awkwardness or camera shyness. And a camera is always magnet for some students to just act out for good or bad.

And since it is not your classroom, setup must be quick and easy. Anyone who has done presentations while traveling has learned all sorts of ways to overcome problems. Tend to end up with a bag full of odds and ends. Extension cords, adapters.... Classroom could be rearranged and then you find yourself scrambling to get your recording gear all into place somehow.

Use the simple trial runs to learn and practice your editing skills - clipping out some distractive movement, removing truck sounds, a student sneeze (or worse). Editing is very much an art and today's tools (hardware, software) make the physical process easier in some ways.

Still takes time and skill.

Doing trial runs in the recording and editing will also help you discover or otherwise determine what equipment and software is and is not necessary. Then you will be able to support your budget request.

Summary: Start simple, see how things go, adjust, and expand as warranted.

 
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Anonymous Poster - AP

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Dear Ralston18,

First, my timeframe is soon, as in the next few weeks. Second, the Bluetooth Mic sounds like a lapel Mic that would pick up just my voice and not the voices of the students, which is what the Yeti does, even when it is supposed to be sitting next to the laptop. The students' voices need to be heard. I don't think I should be adding a lapel Mic in addition to the Yeti when the Yeti should do just fine. I have talked with another person who uses a Yeti and expressed that the Yeti should work for my uses. Also, I am trying to keep my recording devices to a minimim, which is why I am thinking about using webcams that just hook up into my laptop and set on a counter or table next to my laptop such as on a small tripod designed for webcams.

Second, I have done video editing before. I do not have time for trial runs. I just have make it happen. It also takes time to get approval for the equipment, usually just a few days, but that is not guaranteed.

If I do not use the camcorder and just add on two webcams that are better quality than my internal webcam, or I use one external webcam and my internal webcam, then it should not be too crazy with the equipment. I may or may not get away with using my camcorder too by the teacher of the classroom, but I have to see on that, which is also why I am trying to make this simple. A laptop with an external webcam, maybe two, and a Yeti Mic that also connects to the laptop in the back may be good enough without seeimg too much of an inconvenience. I think that it might be acceptable to use the camcorder too, because it is important to get the students' reactions. A webcam in the back might get my face, but it will likely get just there backs.

I also need to capture the entire room, because I walk around the room when I teach, and the internal webcam doesn't seem to be wide enough to capture everything, whereas, a 120-degree arc has a much better viewing angle. However, it might not read what is on the front whiteboard that well, which is why I am considering using a second webcam, either my internal webcam or a better external webcam that can zoom, such as the ones I mentioned in my original post.

When I edit my videos, I do know how to switch from one video to another using transitions, cutting, and cropping. I have done it before. I feel that I am concerned a bit more on the technical software that can handle running two webcams and possibly a third, the internal webcam, from my laptop at the same time.

Since I know how to run a webcam and plug-n-play a Mic, I think my primary concerns would be: What is the software I need to run multiple webcams at the same time while using only one internal feed for audio? Is the best wide angle webcam the one I suggested? What is the best webcam to use to focus on the front of the webcam? Third, would the webcam that I use to focus on the board be able to make any writing on it legible or do I need to use a camcorder for that? Lastly, in case I choose to use my camcorder, what is the best way to keep it from dying in the middle of my teaching?

Sincerely,

Anonymous Poster - AP
 
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Ralston18

Ralston18

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Will have to concede that you are farther along than I realized: apologies.

I googled "multi camera recording software". Here is one example product link I found:

https://www.panopto.com/features/video-recording/multi-camera-video-recording/

There are other similar links as well. Varying the search words will probably find other available products.

Then dig into the software details and functionalities. See if the software really does everything you need with respect to editing multi-source video inputs. Audio being single sourced via the Yeti as you mentioned.

Hopefully you will be able to find online screen samples. Read the software User Guide/Manuals. See if you can easily follow the editing procedures to combine multiple inputs and do transistions etc.. Check the formats that can be edited. Call the software support desk and ask any questions that you have. Their response (or lack thereof) can be meaningful.

Pick the software that you know will support both your recording and editing requirements. And be readily used with the editing skills that you already have.

As for the webcams the reality of the setting may make some wide-angle advantage moot. Likewise for focusing. You probably will not know until you set things up. You might discover, for example, a position for good focus on the board. But that position is subject to glare from another source.

All of the cameras and microphones will need to be positioned one way or another and there will be trade-offs I am sure.

Since battery failure is a concern then you will need to provide power via electrical outlets and extension cords. Wait until the camera locations are determined (use battery) and then use outlets with taped down cords etc. for the final positions. Be sure to test.

Consider renting or borrowing the equipment. Especially since time is short. May be faster and easier to replace/swap out a rented webcam than a purchase. Does your school have an AV program? If so, perhaps they could help with equipment.

At least get your own gear and the Yeti into place and start now. Tape different aspects: yourself, the class, the board. Review at the end of each day and edit to see how much control you may really have. Add the other camera or cameras in and continuer to practice daily. Hopefully it will all come together within a couple of weeks and you will still have time to refine the process and turn out a good end product.
 
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Anonymous Poster - AP

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Jan 17, 2017
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Dear Ralston18,

Sadly that is an enterprise only solution. I am going to have to continue searching for a smaller solution. I appreciate your support. Even with the gear, I still don't know how to record multiple webcams at the same time. I realize at the end of the day, I could record from a wide-angle webcam, get another camcorder (for zoom up to the center of the room, and use my camcorder to view the students faces and my actions from a different angle and use the Yeti for audio. Then I can separate the audio from the video from the camcorders and use just the Yeti. Perhaps I could get another nice mic mounted on the camcorder that is set up on the other side of the room, because it might pick up some of the audio even better. There might be times where I can't use the laptop and the Yeti, so that could be a useful backup/alternate/simultaneous solution to for the audio purposes.

Very respectfully,

Nathanial Isaacson
 
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mjslakeridge

mjslakeridge

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What you are describing sounds pretty complicated to me. How will you sync the audio to the multiple webcams? Do they have timecode? How long will the finished video presentation be? Can you get someone to operate your camcorder and focus on whomever is talking at the time, to zoom in on the whiteboard, etc.? From my experience, webcams (at least consumer grade ones) don't capture a very sharp picture.
 
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Anonymous Poster - AP

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Jan 17, 2017
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Hello guys,

Thank you for wanting to help me. I will look at this and more videos to see what might work best for me. There is not going to be another person manning the cameras. I am not even required to have a great video. In fact, I can have it be recorded on a cell phone or on a webcam. The quality does not have to be that good. It is for student-teaching purposes. I am doing this to increase my knowledge know-how and to start developing a good system, so when I start teaching in my own classroom, then I can have it down pat without having to figure it out then. With that in mind, I do have a couple of years of working on this; however, I am hoping to implement it sooner than later. I start student teaching in about a week or two, which is why I wanted mentioned I have a couple of weeks. I need to turn my first edited videos by the end of February.

I plan on using PowerDirector to combine my video and audio files. I know how to do that. I was hoping to find software that would combine multiple simultaneous webcam video files with a single audio file, so that when I put it in PowerDirector, it would be automatically starting and ending at the same time. Then I can choose to overlay the different parts of the different camera feeds over the other at the time of the video of my choosing. I know how to do that too. I have combined various videos from asynchronous recordings together. I have not, however, simultaneously shot an event with more than one video source, which is what I am trying to learn how to do now while I am still a student. I hope this gives you a better picture. Thank you again for offering your help.
 
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