Recommended Additional Hardware for Recording/Streaming Audio-Video on a PC or Laptop

Note on USB Connectivity
A lot of the devices listed below require a USB-A port. Some devices such as new Apple MacBooks may only have the newer USB-C type port, for which you will need to buy an adaptor. iPads have the proprietary Apple Lightning connector, so may also need an adaptor to connect to USB devices.

Capturing better video

Choosing a Camera

• Existing laptop camera (will likely either be HD720p or HD1080p)

• Peripheral USB HD Webcam such as a Logitech HD cam  

Thinking about Light

Light is a really important consideration to get best possible video quality. You can manipulate existing light for best effect: 

• Don’t use mixed sources of lighting. This will create clashing colour casts in your image (daylight = blue, while artificial light = yellow/green). Either choose entirely natural light OR entirely artificial light, but not a mix. 

• If using natural light, try and sit near to a window (north-facing is perfect, as the light will always be soft and diffuse). Use distance from your light source to control the light level; too bright, move your set-up further away. 

• Avoid any light source being directly behind you as this will cause you to appear silhouetted.

• Avoid any light source being directly above you as this sort of downlighting creates unflattering shadows on the face.

If you are having to record at night, or in a room that does not have enough natural light then we recommend the below: 

• A ring light such as this

• A webcam with integrated lighting such as this

• In lieu of the above, a well positioned desk or standing lamp will suffice, just remember to carefully consider positioning in line with the recommendations above.

Capturing better sound

Microphone 
If a student has to watch a lot of recordings across their different courses, then ensuring good audio quality is very important. Audio that sounds ‘okay’ on playback may be fine over short periods but will be fatiguing over longer recordings. Thus it is important to really focus on good quality audio. 

The in-built microphone on a laptop or webcam will capture other sounds from your environment. Bluetooth headphones and commercial headphones are likely to be the same. Microphones like these are of a type that pickup sound from multiple directions, and so background noise is likely to be a problem as a result. 

The below options can improve audio quality. 

• Use a wired USB headset with a noise/echo cancelling microphone (any wired headset, e.g. those from Logitech, Plantronics or Jabra)

• Use a wireless headset ONLY if it comes with a dedicated USB receiver and NOT Bluetooth (again, e.g. headsets by Logitech, Plantronics or Jabra)

You may prefer not to have to wear a headset, especially if using a webcam to capture video. 

• Lavalier microphone (wired clip-on lapel microphone, similar to those found in teaching rooms). DTS have tested this mic and for £23 are very happy with the results.

• USB podcast/streaming condenser microphone such as this one

Sound Recording Tips

• When recording, try not to touch the microphone as this handling noise will be captured on the recording. Be careful of any loose clothing or long hair that may come into contact with the microphone while recording as, again, this will be captured. 

• When positioning the microphone you want to be close enough to capture a good clear audio signal, but not so close that you overload the microphone. Plosives (as in the phrase “peas popping”) and sibilants (as in the phrase “sizzling sausages”) are most likely to cause problems as they create sudden big movements of air and so jumps in volume; record a practice phrase to check these sounds and that you are not too close. 

• If wearing a clip-on lavalier type microphone, position the capsule a short distance below your chin(where a shirt pocket would typically be) and with the capsule facing downwards towards the floor. Though counterintuitive, this will mean a good signal level and avoid any problem plosives or sibilants from negatively affecting your recording.  

• Before you start recording, consider your environment and any noise there might be (nearby building works, air conditioning, traffic noise, TV, washing machine etc.). How could these be avoided (e.g. record at different time, switching off electrical items etc.)

Please see here for additional guidance for the best options for recording quantitative subjects