Ad hoc captures are captures that are generated outside of a regular class schedule. Ad hoc captures can be associated with a particular section when they are initiated, or published to a section later through the EchoVideo interface.
Ad hoc captures can be initiated in multiple ways, all described on this page:
- Using the legacy device Web UI.
- Using Universal Capture.
- Using the Create menu (for non-Admin users).
- Using the front panel of a capture appliance.
- Using the Device Monitor.
If the Ad Hoc Captures for Instructors feature is disabled, the only way for Instructors to perform ad hoc captures on managed capture devices (Pro, Pod, UC: Classroom, and legacy SCHD) that they do not have physical access to, is for an Administrator to provide them with a room-specific URL to the legacy device Web UI, to UC: Online, or to UC: Device.
Ad hoc captures can be created with any capture device:
- EchoVideo Pro (Pro)
- EchoVideo Pod (Pod)
- Universal Capture: Classroom Software
- Universal Capture: Personal Software
- Legacy SafeCapture HD (SCHD)
Like scheduled captures, when an ad hoc capture is completed (user clicks Stop Capture), the raw capture files are automatically uploaded to EchoVideo for processing.
NOTE: Admin-initiated ad hoc captures not associated with a section will ONLY appear on the Admin's Captures page. Instructor-initiated captures can be published to a selected course or the instructor's Content Home page. If the Library is selected, the capture will appear on the Content Home page where it can be viewed or edited before publishing to one or more classes.
In either case, the capture will need to be published to be viewable by other users.
Legacy device Web UI
The legacy device Web UI is available for any managed capture device. For information on using the legacy device Web UI, see Captures and the legacy device Web UI.
Universal Capture
Administrators can access either UC: Online or UC: Device from the ROOMS tab to initiate and/or control an ad hoc capture. If desired, Administrators can provide Instructors with the URL to UC: Online or UC: Device for a particular Room.
The local installation of UC software can also be used to start an ad hoc capture. For more information on using Universal Capture, see Access Universal Capture and Start a Recording with Universal Capture.
Create Menu
The Create menu is available for Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Students. See Creating Ad Hoc Captures for more information.
New Device Capture
If enabled, Instructors will see a New Device Capture option in the Create menu. This allows you to initiate an ad hoc capture using the managed capture device (Pro, Pod, or UC: Classroom) installed in the room. Teaching Assistants and Students do not have access to this option.
This option opens a dialog box allowing you to select the room/device to record from, duration, quality, publishing location, and Live stream option if publishing to a course. This option will also provide you with a link to open the Universal Capture interface for the device (does not apply to SCHDs) so you can control and monitor your ongoing recording.
See Creating a New Device Ad Hoc Capture for further instructions.
New Capture or New Software Capture
If Universal Capture is installed on the computer you're working with, either your personal laptop or the classroom's computer, use the New Capture or New Software Capture selection to launch the local installation of Universal Capture and start a recording. This method uses any cameras attached to the computer (including the built-in camera) and/or the computer's monitor display, depending on your selections. It also provides you with the option to install Universal Capture if you do not already have it installed.
See Creating an Ad Hoc Capture using Universal Capture Software. See also Start a Recording with Universal Capture.
Which Selection Do You See? This option is called New Capture if there is not a New Device Capture option in the Create button menu. If the Create button menu contains a New Device Capture option, this selection is called New Software Capture to delineate the two. Teaching Assistants and Students will always see New Capture, as those users do not have access to the device ad hoc capture feature.
Zoom
If your institution has a Zoom integration and you have opted in to the automatic copy of your Zoom meetings to your EchoVideo library, you will see a Zoom Meeting option in the Create button. Use this to launch an "instant Zoom meeting" that provides a link to send or post for students for the ad hoc meeting.
See Launching a Zoom Meeting from EchoVideo for further instructions.
Front Panel of a Capture Appliance
For an EchoVideo Pro appliance, users can simply press the Record button on the front of the device. The configured "one-touch profile" input settings are used for the capture. For more information, see Start an ad hoc recording.
For an EchoVideo Pod appliance, users can simply press the Record icon on the touchscreen of the device. The configured "one-touch profile" input settings are used for the capture. For more information, see Start an ad hoc recording. Also, know that the EchoVideo Pod supports the use of a few USB cameras for capturing video. See Using USB Cameras with the EchoVideo Pod.
Device Monitor
Alternately, you can obtain a Delcom device monitor light and install the device monitor software available from EchoVideo, to initiate and control ad hoc captures within the classroom. If you use the Device Monitor and Delcom light, a user must be logged in to the PC for the device and software to work.