The steps in this article cover use of the YuJa Software Capture application. Although this article is Classroom Capture focused, you can also follow these steps to use the YuJa Software Capture application to record Personal Capture content, however we would recommend considering other options prior to choosing this tool for Personal Capture. For further guidance see our Online Teaching Toolkit: Making screencasts – Section 3 Choosing your recording software.
Where can I record Classroom Capture?
For a full list of YuJa-enabled teaching spaces, please see the Learning Capture Rooms page.
How can I record Classroom Capture?
Open the Software Capture Application
To make Classroom Capture recordings using the Learning Capture microphones, log into the desktop in the room and open the YuJa Software Capture Application from the desktop.
You can also initiate this by logging in to Blackboard, accessing YuJa, and selecting ‘Record from your Windows PC or Mac’ via Create Recording.
Sign in
You may be prompted to sign in when opening the Software Capture application.
Ensure you have selected University of Reading and sign in with your University credentials (ab123456@reading.ac.uk)
Check your Inputs
Your default inputs will be previewed when you open the Software Capture application. As a minimum, you should see the audio input indicator (1) and the screen input (2).
You can check which inputs are selected on the left-hand side of the window.
Be aware that once a recording has started, inputs cannot be changed.
Audio
To make use of the Learning Capture microphones, ensure that Dante USB Receive is selected.
Be aware that this name may vary in some centrally bookable rooms and in departmental rooms. To ensure you are selecting the correct input, refer to the in-room guidance.
When a working audio input is selected, you should see green, yellow and red volume indicators (see fig 1 above). If no sound is being picked up by the indicator, it is possible that the incorrect microphone is selected.
If you have checked the audio input and no sound is being detected, do not attempt to correct the issue. Continue with your teaching and inform DTS with the room number and information about the issue.
Screen
By default, the main monitor for the device you are using will be selected. Be aware that any interactions on this screen will be recorded.
Do not open documents or messages containing private information (such as checking email) whilst the Software Capture application is recording!
You can check whether YuJa is recording the correct screen by opening your presentation and checking if the YuJa preview shows the view you were expecting.
To switch displays, access the Display Settings under Screen Source and select the option you require:
Video
The Learning Capture project does not include cameras to capture the instructor when recording.
You may find that some monitors have an in-built webcam or additional camera source, which may provide limited or lower quality video input.
If you wish to use the document camera in a room, you can select it as a video input. You may find that a document camera is selected by default in some rooms.
You can toggle selected video sources on and off via Video in the left-hand side of the Software Capture application.
Start Recording
When you are ready to start recording, press Start.
You will be given a 3 second countdown and a control panel bar will appear on your screen containing an audio indicator and pause/stop controls.
You can also access the annotation toolbar and Software Capture application from this control panel for an alternative way to stop or pause the recording. This control panel is ignored by YuJa when recording, so there is no need to hide it while you are teaching.
Finish Recording
To finish recording, press stop on the control panel or via the Software Capture application. When you finish a recording, you will receive a message saying “Your capture session has ended” and an option to save or delete the recording.
Clicking Save will automatically upload your recording to your My Media area in YuJa where you can publish it to your Blackboard module’s Channel or embed it via the YuJa Media Chooser .
You can log off during the upload process, however it is recommended to let the progress bar fill and show 100% before logging off. This should not take more than a few seconds on a campus connection.
If you accidentally click Delete, you will be prompted to confirm before deleting. Deleted captures cannot be recovered.
FAQs
Below is some information relating to some of the frequently asked questions staff have.
See our FAQ page for a more expansive list of answeres to questions you might have.
Where should I stand?
There is no need to stand in a specific place in the room or to limit your movements while teaching. The Learning Capture microphones are specially designed to allow you to move freely around the room.
Can I use my own device?
You can use your own device to present and record lectures where this helps with set up time and using specific programmes you may have on your own machine. You must have YuJa installed on your own device , and then plug into the preseting desk following the instructions provided on the revese of the YuJa room card.
Should I change the settings?
There may be some scenarios where you might wish to change the settings on the Software Capture Application or choose additional inputs. Be aware that adding additional inputs and adjusting quality settings may cause upload and processing speeds to vary.
Internal Audio
Internal Audio
If you wish to capture the audio of media you play as part of your teaching in the recording, select Internal Audio as a secondary audio input and ensure the input is set to 'On' before recording.
Be aware that in some cases where internal audio is recorded alongside microphone input that audio quality may vary. You may wish to consider pausing recording to play media in class and directing students to an asynchronous resource when watching the recording back.
Extra Screens/Cameras
Adding additional inputs can cause difficulty for viewers when using the Player in YuJa. We recommend limiting the number of inputs you record to only those strictly necessary.
To add additional video inputs, select the inputs from the Video menu and and ensure the input is set to 'On' before recording.
To add additional screen inputs or to record a specific section of a screen, open the Screen Source menu and select Advanced Settings
Quality/Framerate
In some instances, where it is necessary to capture high quality media on screen, you may wish to edit the quality or framerate of your recording.
You can access these settings by clicking the Settings cog and selecting 'Screen Capture' from the list of application settings.
Selecting a higher framerate can improve the quality of video recorded from a screen by YuJa. Selecting a higher video quality can improve the sharpness of a video on playback.
We would generally advise against this, as it can cause prolonged upload or processing time and affect playback.
Page last updated on November 27, 2023 by Peter Moll
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