What is the One Button Studio?

A One Button Studio (OBS) is a simplified recording studio that gives users the ability to create a high-quality video recording without any previous video production experience. The University of Maryland's (UMD) One Button Studios provide the following resources to help users create a polished video project:

• High definition camera.
• High-directional condenser microphone.
• Studio lighting.
• A projector or monitor for presentation display.

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What should you bring to the One Button Studio?

You must bring:

• USB Flash Drive (at least 16GB storage for 2 hours of video). Supported USB formats include: FAT32, VFAT long file name extensions, EXT2, EXT3, EXT4 file system, or NTFS-formatted storage volume.

It is recommended that you bring:

• An HDMI-compatible Laptop.
• A presentation clicker.

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Operating the studio with a presentation

1. Plug your USB flash drive into the USB slot labeled USB Storage on the control panel. This will turn on the equipment. 
2. Plug the HDMI cable to your laptop. 
3. If you are playing a video from your laptop, make sure your audio output settings are set to EPSON PJ. 
4. Press on the control panel. Once the recording has begun, Recording will be displayed on the menu in the upper left hand corner of the lectern monitor. 
5. When you have completed your video presentation, press .
6. The light indicator on the control panel will flash while the video is being saved to your flash drive. When the indicator light is done flashing, you are done!
7. A file folder will save to your USB flash drive with a name that starts with the studio's building acronym and room number (i.e. ATL 1400A-). The video file (.m4v) will be located within the folder with a name that starts with the studio's building acronym and room number (i.e. ATL 1400A-).
8. Existing files on your USB flash drive will not be removed or deleted. 
9. Remove your USB flash drive from the control panel.

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Operating the studio without a presentation

1. Plug your USB flash drive into the USB slot labeled USB Storage on the control panel. This will turn on the equipment.
2. Press . Once the recording has begun, Recording will be displayed on the menu in the upper left hand corner of the lectern monitor. 
3. When you have completed your video presentation, press .
4. The light indicator on the control panel will flash while the video is being saved to your flash drive. When the indicator light is done flashing, you are done!
5. A file folder will save to your USB flash drive with a name that starts with the studio's building acronym and room number (i.e. ATL 1400A-). The video file (.m4v) will be located within the folder with a name that starts with the studio's building acronym and room number (i.e. ATL 1400A-).
6. Existing files on your USB flash drive will not be removed or deleted. 
7. Remove your USB flash drive from the control panel.

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Additional features

One Button Studios contain additional buttons that provide the following features. may be used at any time during your video presentation. Simply press to pause the video and press it again when you are ready to resume your video. can be used to take still images at any time during your presentation. You can press this button as many times as you wish. Upon completion, the image files (.jpg) will save in a "thumbnails" file folder within the file folder with the studio's building acronym and room number (i.e. ATL 1400A-) on your USB flash drive. A separate image file will be saved for each time you pressed the button.  

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Best practices for video presentation

Clothing tips

• Avoid wearing all white or all black. Such outfits can make it difficult for the camera to balance exposure.
• Avoid wearing bright red. If you have lighter skin, red clothing may bleed in the recording, making your skin appear red.
• Avoid wearing neon colors or shiny fabrics.
• Avoid wearing clothes with tight patterns such as stripes, as these patterns can create issues with the final recorded image.
• Noisy or flashy jewelry. The microphone may pick up the noise and the shine can cause glaring.

Presentation tips

• Position yourself slightly away from the center of the frame. Even without a visual presentation component, being slightly off center will add interest to your shot.
• Use your hands strategically to emphasize your points. Keep elbows bent so your hands remain above your waist and in the frame.
• Be dynamic, but don’t pace in front of the camera.
• Look at the camera, pretend the person you are talking to is in there. Truly try to engage them.
• Stay focused on the camera even if you are presenting content projected behind you. Your viewers don’t want to see the back of your head.
• Don’t forget to blink! If you’re having trouble, try to blink at the end of every sentence.

The delivery

1. Don’t forget to breathe.
2. Try not to rush, take brief pauses for emphasis.
3. Speak clearly and possibly at a louder volume than your usual. Pretend you are talking to someone twenty feet away. If you don’t speak loud enough, or mumble, the microphone may not pick you up clearly.
4. Be confident and look like you are enjoying the presentation. Your audience will enjoy watching you.
5. Have fun!

Practice! Not only can you use OBS for your final presentation, use it to practice. Record a portion (or all) of your presentation and watch it. Take notes on your performance and make adjustments before recording your final version. Practicing prior to your final recording will make the experience much smoother and less stressful.

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Support

If you have issues with scheduling the One Button Studio or with operating the technology, email Classroom Support or call 301.405.2500.

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