Collaborative Computing Lab (CCL):

To fire up the lab:

Computers: If not turned on, fire up the "monitoring" computer at the Monitoring Station just outside room 104a. Then go in and set up the machine that you are testing on (laptop, desktop, mobile device, etc) in an appropriate fashion at the Testing Station. Bring up your software on the device so that you have something to point the camera at as you work to get the picture framed just right.

Video: Get the Monitoring Station ready to record and turn on the camera.

• At the monitoring station: Log into the machine using the credentials provided by your instructor. Then find the EyeTV application (should be in the dock and/or on the desktop) and start it up. You should see a nice big window showing what's on the video input. If you haven't turned on the camera in the next room yet, it'll say "no signal"....but this should switch to the camera view as soon as you turn on the camera. If you still see nothing, check under the "Control" menu to make sure that the "component input" in checked as the only input source.
• Camera: In the lab, fold-out the screen/viewfinder on the little camera; there is no need to push any buttons! The lens cap should click open and it should turn on. Move the tripod and use the zoom to frame in exactly the part of the screen that you want, i.e., showing maximum resolution of your running application. Test with a teammate to make sure shoulders/heads are not blocking the camera's view of the screen.

Audio: There are three elements to make sure are active to get the audio working:

1. Lapel mics: These are just like you see on TV. Clip the mic to a shirt of lapel somewhere under chin level, then slide the switch on the transceiver over to "on". Clip the transceiver to your subjects pants or wherever. Repeat for the second mic.
2. The mixing board. The mixing board is hidden (for good reason) behind the screen at the monitoring station. DO NOT TOUCH THIS BOARD! It is perfectly set up and if you screw with it, your sound will suffer. It's simple to turn on: just turn on the power strip sitting up high on the monitoring station that is labeled "audio" with a sticky note. You should see some lights on the mixing board turn on.
3. The wireless receiver. Finally, click the "on" button to turn on the wireless mic receiver up high on the monitoring station. Lights come on. When you talk into the mics, you see a little indicator flash on the screen for the receiver. If not, the AA batteries in the mic sender might be dead...or you forgot to turn on the mic!

Ok, you're all set to go! Watch out for feedback if you are walking and talking around the monitoring station with the mics on! It helps to turn down the output volume on the Mac if you're doing this.

Practice recording. At the monitoring computer, check to see that EyeTV is showing the picture from the camera. Have a teammate sit in there and talk into a mic. You should hear the sound out at the monitoring station, assuming the computer speakers are turned up. You should hear one user in each of the two stereo speakers.

To start recording, just hit "record" on the little pictured remote control that EyeTV puts up on the screen. Sit back and watch your session record!

To stop recording, just click "record" again on the remote control window to stop your recording. Recording then appear in the "Recorded Programs" window of EyeTV. Right click one to export it as an mp4 to your mass-storage device to take home.

Get a team member to go in there and play with your app and talk while you do a test recording. Stop and play it back to make sure sound/video is good. Especially check that your framing is good, ie, you can see screen well.

Go for it: Get your subjects prepped, in there, and hooked to lapel mics. Give em the lab manual, retreat to the recording booth, and away you go!

Shutting down the Lab when done:

Make sure that you have exported all videos that you need to a USB stick or portable HD. Then delete those videos from the Monitoring Station.

THEN DO THESE THINGS AS A CHECKLIST!

1. Computers: you can leave the Monitoring Station running (it will sleep). Just log out...
2. Camera: In the lab, just close the little side flap/screen on the camera. This turns it off.
3. Mics: Turn off the lapel mics by sliding the little slider switch all the way to "off" (left)! Do not forget this, else their little batteries will run out!
4. Mixer Panel: Use the switch on the separate power strip on top of the monitoring station to kill power to the mixing board; it does not have a power button itself.
5. Wireless receiver: Click off the power switch on the wireless mic receiver on top of the monitoring station.
6. Straighten up lab, clean up any trash, gather up the lab manuals. Leave it better than you found it!
7. Recover your audio/video record: Plug a USB Thumbdrive into the machine and copy your movie onto it or whatever.
8. Log out of the Monitoring Station. Do not leave that machine logged in!

You're done. Make sure both the interior door to Rm104a and the exterior main door to Rm104 is locked and shut on your way out.