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The DMC Personal Studio is designed to create dynamic, publication-ready videos at the push of a button. This all-in-one, easy-to-use video production resource offers a teleprompter, backdrops, cameras, microphones, and preconfigured professional lighting. An intuitive touchscreen interface enables users to capture, stream, and edit videos in real-time. This system uses the versatile Wirecast software, which provides features such as shot selection, title overlays, picture-in-picture, chroma keying, annotation, and multiple inputs. There is also a laptop connection with modes for capturing or streaming an activity.
Personal Studio orientations are available by request, and begin at the Groundworks desk in room 1315. This 30 minute orientation covers software, equipment, and room policies. Upon completing an orientation, users will be able to reserve the room. Class orientations are also available by request. Inquiries can be sent to groundworks@umich.edu
A digital copy of the room guide can be found here
Access to the Personal Studio requires completion of a les than 1-hour in-person orientation. Feel free to sign up for them here, or reach out to schedule a time that works best for you (Groundworks@umich.edu)
Teleprompter
The teleprompter is what has made news anchors look smart since the 1950's. The teleprompter is a piece of 1-way glass and a camera behind it. This teleprompter shows whatever is displayed on the "Presenter Computer." Wether you are reading a script, going through a digital slideshow, or instruction on software, the teleprompter allows you to see your display while you are looking at the camera.
2. Camera
The Personal Studio contains 2, iKan NDI based cameras, capturing at 1080p. One in the teleprompter enclosure and one on a rolling stand. The cameras can be controlled from within Wirecast.
Camera Control
Navigate to "Windows-PTZ Control." In the new window (see fig. 1)
Select either NDI_HX (Personal Studio Presenter) or NDI_HX (Personal Studio Prompter) (fig. 2)
Use arrows in window to adjust pan/tilt/zoom (fig. 3)
Focus, White balance, and exposure can also be controlled from this screen (adjustments are made per camera) (fig. 3)
Camera control:
fig. 1
fig. 2
fig. 3
iKan NDI Cameras
fig. 4
Raising/lowering Teleprompter
The Teleprompter camera can be raised or lowered with the wired controller (see fig. 2)
fig. 5
Rasing/lowering Presenter camera
Squeeze the pistol grip and raise or lower the camera (see fig. 3)
fig. 6
3. Presenter computer
The Presenter Computer, in the Personal Studio comes with an annotation display, so you can notate live, while recording. This allows you to emphasize something on the desktop of the computer, you are sharing to your audience. This video will help to better understand the annotation display.
Use included stylus or your finger, for annotating on the display
4. Capture Computer
The Capture computer is the brains of the room. This is where all te magic occurs. It uses an application called Wirecast for capturing the variety of inpuuts we have in the Personal Studio.
The ELO touch display allows for easy switching between cameras/displays without the need for a mouse. This makes one person productions much easier.
RESTARTING THE COMPUTER is a great way to ensure you are starting with a fresh slate. Restarting resets all the files and applications back to our main template settings.
Learn more about the capture computer
5. Room remotes
NEC remote is for turning on/off the large display along the wall.
It shold be set to "HDMI" for the input
Use A/B HDMI switch on the desk to swap between Presenter and Capture computers on large display
The Kensington remote allows for clicking between slideshows on the teleprompter (which works wonders for putting an easy to read script on the teleprompter).
Room remotes
A/B HDMI Switch
6. Room Mics
The Personal Studio comes with 4 microphones, all wired up and ready to use (after leveling properly).
Desk Mic - The primary microphone in the room. This directional shotgun microphone lives on the desktop.
2 Wireless lavalier mics - The 2 wireless lav mics sitting on the black table in the corner of the studio work well for multiple people being recorded at the same time (Wirecast system mixes ALL mics during recording).
Room mic - Hanging from the ceiling, above the full wall green screen is a room mic. Mostly a good "catch all".
Unless you are intentionally using this microphone, we recommend turning the levels down, all the way before using.
Desktop Mic
Room mic
Lav mics
9. Focusrite Clarett+ audio interface
The new Focusrite Clarett+ is a very easy interface for adjusting audio levels.
Turn the appropriately labeled knob to the levels you desire
We recommend your voice should fall around the -12dB range, on the meters in Wirecast
Too loud clips the audio and cannot be fixed afterwards
Too low introduces a LOT of background noise
Headphone leveling can be adjusted with the knob above the headphones.
Getting started - tips and tricks in the PersonalStudio
Instructional content showcasing the variety of functions available in Wirecast.
Editing lower 3rds
Wirecast, on the Capture Computer is a powerful production tool, allowing you to combine multiple assets into a single shot and then combine layers together.
We provide a simple lower 3rd template in the Master Copy of the Wirecast app so you can have a title while you introduce yourself. This simple video shows how to edit the text so it doesn't say "Your Name Here" and "Your Title Here."
Don't want to use our premade template. Feel free to create your own PNG image (PNG maintains a transparent background, so you can superimpost it on top of a video). Animated After Effects-like files can also be used. We recommend contacting us at Groundwork@umich.edu to discuss how the video file should be saved in order to maintain the transparent background.
Green Screen
Wirecast, on the Capture Computer is a powerful production tool, allowing you to combine multiple assets into a single shot and then combine layers together.
We provide multiple inputs with the "Chroma Key" or "Green Screen" effects applied. This guide showcases how to tweak the chroma settings, so you can make your green screen shot look as good as possible. We recommend contacting us at Groundworks@umich.edu if you have questions regarding the Personal Studio.
Additional Resources
55" NEC Display
The Personal Studio contains a 55" NEC display on a nnice rolling stand.
Though typically used for workshops, the NEC can be used with the system
NEC display shows the same image as the Presenter computer
NEC display has 15' cord and can be positioned near the cameras to also use as a source for your script/presentation materials.
an example would be it the teleprompter is too difficult to see from a distance. This display can be positioned between the cameras and referenced, as you give a presentation.
Lights
When recording have BOTH sets of lights turned on
this includes BOTH the "room lights" and the "studio lights."
Cameras and Chroma Key are calibrated to function best with ALL the lights on. It is not dramatic, bt everyone is well lit and even.
The lighting grid in the Personal Studio has lighting setups for 2 different areas. The lights should NOT be moved or adjusted in any way. The room is a bit on the sterile side when it comes to lighting, but everyone looks good and bright, in the room. It's not dramatic, but practicle.
Though YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO MOVE THE LIGHTS, you are welcome to bring in your own gear and use it on your own or together with the provided lights.
Stand AWAY from the backdrops
When standing behind the desk, you should be as close to the desk as possible. Don't stand back away from the desk. The lighting is set for you to look best while at the desk.
When standing along the "interview" side of the rom (full body shot in front of green screens, make sure to stand in front of the downward facing light. The farther away from the backdrop you are the better the results.
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