A managed capture device is any recording device that is able to be controlled by a system administrator (for room assignment, configuration, scheduling, and remote monitoring). Managed capture devices are intended to record classroom activities and upload those recordings for processing and publishing to students. The types of capture devices are:
-
Legacy SafeCapture HD (SCHD) - Fully automated capture appliance that records class content and uploads the recordings for processing and publishing. For installation and configuration details for the SCHD, see SafeCapture HD Specifications.
Maximum allowed duration of recordings is 4 hours -
EchoVideo Pro (Pro) - The next generation of automated capture appliance, that records class content and uploads the recordings for processing and publishing. For installation and configuration details for the Pro, see EchoVideo Pro Specifications.
Maximum allowed duration of recordings is 8 hours -
EchoVideo Pod (Pod) - A smaller version of our full-featured capture appliance, the Pod has been designed for use in smaller venues, where the Pod can be placed on a tabletop or podium, or where the recording device is not necessarily static (professors can plug in their laptops for display capture, for example). It contains HDMI inputs as well as an audio input and can capture audio from either or both. In addition, because the Pod is a registered appliance, it can be scheduled for regular captures of classes (including Live streamed classes) or when using the touchscreen, easily used for ad hoc captures. For installation and configuration details for the Pod, see EchoVIdeo Pod Specifications.
Maximum allowed duration of recordings is 8 hours -
Universal Capture: Classroom (UC: Classroom) - Instead of being a physical appliance, Universal Capture is the recording software installed on classroom or podium computers that turns the PC or Mac into a capture appliance that can capture video, computer screen, and audio input from the classroom. For installation and configuration details for Universal Capture, see Universal Capture Specifications.
Maximum allowed duration of recordings is 8 hours
Universal Capture: Personal is a capture method but is not considered a managed capture device for the purposes of associating with a classroom or class schedule.
Also, be sure to refer to Supported Input Devices for information on what input devices (cameras and microphones) are supported for use with each device type.
Capture devices, as well as UC: Personal, cannot record HDCP-restricted content: Be sure to install your capture devices in a room that does not include devices protected by HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection). EchoVideo capture appliances cannot record high-definition content protected by HDCP.
If instructors are in the habit of bringing their own devices and plugging them into a console for display recording, note that newer Mac computers have HDCP enabled. In some cases, instructors will attempt to play HD content that is restricted by HDCP on the Mac, causing the display feed to be blank, to appear as disconnected, or to record/return very low-quality resolution. In this case, users can play the content in Standard Definition or attempt another workaround.
Log On and Monitor Device
Once initialized and assigned to a room, you may want to log on to the device and monitor it to check that the appropriate inputs are working and providing capture information.
You can use the below procedures to monitor a device regardless of its recording status if necessary.
To log on to the device and monitor activity using the local Device Web UI
- From the main menu, select ROOMS.
- Find the room with the device you want to monitor. Use the filtering lists at the top of the screen to narrow which rooms are shown.
- Click the Log in to Device icon, located in the bottom-left corner of the Room block.
- Log in to the device using the device login information configured for the device.
- Use the tabs to select the device information you want to review. The Monitor tab allows you to view the configured inputs to see what they are capturing.
- If you are monitoring inputs, click Stop Monitoring when you are done.
- When you are finished reviewing device information, click Logout, located in the upper-right corner of the tabbed section of the page.
To monitor a device using Universal Capture
- From the main menu, select ROOMS.
- Find the room with the device you want to monitor. Use the filtering lists at the top of the screen to narrow which rooms are shown.
- Click either the View Room or Log in to Device icon, located in the bottom-left corner of the Room block.
- Log in to the device if necessary using your EchoVideo or SSO credentials.
- When you are finished reviewing device inputs or activity, close the Universal Capture tab.
For more information about Universal Capture monitoring options, see Universal Capture for Admins.
Filtering Rooms by Device Status
The filtering lists at the top of the Rooms Management page allow you to limit which room blocks are shown based on their location (campus, building), by type (SCHD, UC: Classroom, etc.), or by status (Idle, Online, etc.).
You can also "favorite" any rooms that may require special attention, to show those specifically as needed. Click the star icon located to the left of a room/device name to favorite or un-favorite a room.
Each of the room blocks also shows the current status of the device assigned to the room: capturing, waiting, idle, capture completed, offline, or not connected as well as a live badge when an upcoming or ongoing recording is being live-streamed.
To list rooms based on device status
- Select Rooms from the main menu.
- Click the Switch to list view icon, located on the right side of the screen, directly below the Add Room button.
The Rooms Management screen changes to list devices with State as a column that can be sorted by type or filtered against. - Click the State column title to sort the column by device status.
- Click the menu icon to the right of the State column to filter by and show all devices with a particular status.
Disk Space Utilization
In order to reduce the risk of running out of space, previously uploaded logs and content (including content that could not be uploaded due to disk errors) are removed from devices when the maximum allowed limit is reached for either type or the total free space falls under the minimum free space requirement. If necessary, any active recording will be stopped prior to either the scheduled end time or the maximum allowed duration in order for more space to be made. For closely spaced captures, under load disk space conditions, subsequent recordings may not be able to start until the initial one finishes uploading.
- The Legacy SCHD should not run out of space if it’s connected to the network and is able to upload.
- The Pro should not run out of space if it’s connected to the network and is able to upload.
-
The Pod may not be able to record the full 8 hours depending on the following factors
- The quality of the recording (Standard, High, or Highest)
- What type of input is being recorded (Display or Video)
- The nature of what is being recorded (High motion video, PowerPoint slides, etc.)
- Universal Capture requires the user to maintain sufficient disk space but will still clean up EchoVideo created logs and content as needed.
Device Type | Maximum Allowed Content Limit | Maximum Allowed Log Limit | Total Minimum Free Space Required |
---|---|---|---|
Universal Capture | 20 GB | 200 MB | 5 GB |
Pro | 96 GB | 200 MB | 1 GB |
Pod | 14 GB | 200 MB | 1 GB |
SCHD | 120 GB | 200 MB | 1 GB |