Wirecast Interface

Wirecast Basics

Wirecast is the software used to connect and record all the resources within the Personal Studio. 

Getting Started:

• Double Click on the "Wirecast-Template.wcst" icon on the desktop of the Capture Computer. 

  • • Because Wirecast is a locked file on the desktop, it will make a copy of the template for you. You will be working off the copy. 

    • If you make changes and like the results, take the wcst file with you and bring it back to load your version of the template each time you are in the room

    • If you make a change that you don't like and cannot get it back to a good starting point, just double click the locked template again to make a new copy.

Record

• Records whatever is in the "Program" window (the video with the red outline).It creates a 1920x1080 MP4 file. The file size is approximately 250MB every 5 minutes

ISO Record (Isolated Recording)

• ISO Record will record the plain video output for EVERY device in the room with NO EFFECTS applied to them. This means it will capture 4 separate quicktime videos (recorded in AppleProRes 422) 

  • Including:

    • Teleprompter camera

    • Presenter camera

    • Presenter Comuter

    • Laptop input

  • There will be no titling, no green screen effects, no picture-in-picture. It just records the main video feed for each input (incuding audio)

    • This works well if you aren't able to change cameras during your recording (i.e. standing monologue away from the main desk).

    • The footage can then be edited together in any video application you choose. 

    • ISO Record produces four, 1920x1080 Apple ProRes422 video files (professional video codec). 

      • Each file of ProRes422 is around 1GB per minute recorded (at 1920x1080)!

        • 4 video inputs, 4GB per minute if you use all 4 inputs

      • This format is great for higher end color correction, and better fine tuning of green screen effects. 

• ISO AND RECORD CAN BE RUN AT THE SAME TIME

  • • Use the ISO recording as a "safety net" in case you have to change something after it has been recorded. 

    • Don't take the file with you if you do not need it.

Audio Levels (more info about audio in following modules)

• • By default, you should see levels in the meters on the right hand side. 

  • Adjust your levels in the Focusrite Control 2 software, and the results will be mirrored in Wirecast (more in following modules)

  • You should aim to have the microphone levels fall around the -12dB to -6dB range in the meters. You want it to run close to the top 0dB position without going over. 

Layers

• • The thumbnails along the bottom are the inputs we have provided

  • Layers read from the top layer down (like Photoshop, Premiere, etc)

    • Thumbnail on higher layers cover layers below it

    • above example has something appearing from all 4 layers

      • Layer 1 - Block M bug in bottom right corner

      • Layer 2 - Lower 3rd title

      • Layer 3 - Green screen effect applied to Teleprompter Camera

      • Layer 4 - Backgrounds (for placing behind any chroma key effects you are using

Finish Recording

To stop recording, press (or click) the "Record" or "ISO" buttons (remember, both can be run at the same time) 

• Recordings will be located in the "Recordings" drive located on the desktop

• MP4 recordings will be names "MyVideoXXXX.mp4

• ISO Recordings will be names ISO + the specific input (i.e. Teleprompter Camera, etc.)

File management

• Remember, your file will be deleted from our computer. Your files are not safe. Make sure to take them with you, either in cloud based sharing or an external drive. We do not promise the files will be there when you return. 

In conclusion

If you do not need to make any changes to the Wirecast interface, this is most of what you will need to know. Whatever is seen in the Program window (red outlined video output), is what will be recorded when the regular "Record" button is pressed. Use touchscreen on Capture Computer to change from one camera angle to the next.