Using u:stream Studio via Moodle
With u:stream Studio, teachers can create new videos via Moodle using the web browser on their end device. The source (depending on the selection) is the screen, the camera and/or the microphone of the device or hardware connected to it, such as an external webcam. The prerequisite is that at least one u:stream series has been linked to a Moodle course. The video will be automatically added to the selected u:stream series after completion.
If you want to use u:stream Studio outside of Moodle, for example because you do not have a Moodle course or you are a student, use the user guides for using u:stream Studio.
Note
u:stream Studio does not support all web browsers equally well. In particular, there can be problems with Safari. The ZID therefore recommends using Firefox or Chrome.
Opening u:stream Studio
Log into Moodle and open the desired Moodle course. In the upper navigation bar you will find the menu item More and then u:stream videos. Click on it to go to the overview page of u:stream videos.
With another click on Record video, you switch to u:stream Studio.
Note
Before you record a video, make sure that you have selected the correct series under Edit u:stream series in the Preselection column (for u:stream Studio). The video is automatically assigned to this series.
Selecting source
Select the source for the recording. The options Screen and Screen & Camera and Camera are available. If you select Screen & Camera, both video tracks are recorded separately (dual recording). In this case, when playing the processed videos, the viewers can decide at any time how to view the two videos (side by side, focus on screen or camera image).
Note that you must assign the necessary rights to your browser or allow access. Depending on the source, these are the release of the camera, the screen and/or the microphone. For screen recordings, you can also decide which screen window is to be released.
Depending on the system settings and the browser used, either a pop-up opens for the necessary releases or you have to assign the rights directly in the settings of the PC.
Making a video
After you have decided on a source and given the approvals, you will see a preview with the screen and/or the camera image. In the example shown here, Screen & Camera was selected and PowerPoint was selected as the shared screen window.
You can use the gear symbols to change the resolution and, in the case of the camera, also the aspect ratio. The ZID recommends using the auto setting.
The Next button takes you to the audio options. You can decide here whether the recording should take place with microphone or without audio.
If you decide to record with sound, you can select via which device the audio signal is to be recorded. In the preview, you will also see a level change.
Once you have selected all settings, click on Next to proceed with the recording.
Clicking on the red recording button starts the recording.
You can pause and resume the recording as often as you like. To stop the recording, click on the red stop button.
Checking and trimming video
After you have finished the recording, you can watch it. Use the play button to do this. If you are not satisfied with the recording, you can delete it by clicking on Discard and record again and start a new recording.
If necessary, you can also trim the recording, i.e. reset the beginning and/or the end. To do this, click on the desired time in the timeline or pause the playback of the video at the point where you want to trim. If the selected point in time is to be the new beginning of the recording, select the trimming tool to the left of the play button. For a new end point, select the tool to the right of the play button. You can correct the trim points as often as you like or remove them completely using the recycle bin symbol. Cuts in the course of the video are not possible.
When you are satisfied with the video, click Next.
Note
Trimming does not affect the files that are offered for download. The full-length, uncut recording is always downloaded.
Uploading and saving video
In the following window you have to assign a title for the recording before you can submit the video to u:stream with the Upload to u:stream button. As soon as the recording has been processed, it automatically appears on the overview page under Videos available in this course for the respective series.
Screen and camera recordings are provided separately. By clicking on Download, you can save each recording file locally on your end device.
