This guide will tell you all you need to know to create a recording using a 'Starter Kit'.
Contents:
What is a Starter Kit?
The IRIS Connect Starter Kit is a simple way to help you capture better videos. It includes:
- a Bluetooth microphone (and charging cable) to improve the audio you capture
- a lanyard to wear the microphone
- a device holder with tripod to hold your device whilst recording
- a case to store and carry the kit within
- a mobile device.
Instructional Video
Using the Bluetooth Microphone
Pairing the Microphone for the first time
- When pairing to your device for the first time make sure the distance between the device and microphone is less than 1 meter.
- Press and hold the power button on the side of the microphone for a few seconds until the LED indicator flashes blue.
- Navigate to your device’s Bluetooth settings menu.
- On your device, turn on Bluetooth and select SmartMic or IRIS Connect Microphone from the list of available Bluetooth devices.
- Your device should now show the status as connected. You can click the Bluetooth icon from inside the app to check the Bluetooth mic status.
- After pairing for the first time and powering on again, the microphone will automatically connect to the device it was last paired to. This can be undone by unpairing the microphone in the device Bluetooth settings.
See this guide for further information on pairing your Bluetooth microphone
Turning on the Microphone
If you have previously paired your device to the microphone, follow the steps below.
- Make sure your device has Bluetooth turned on.
- Press and hold the button for a few seconds to turn the microphone on. The light will flash purple.
- The indicator light on the microphone will flash slowly to show it is connected.
Checking the Battery Level
When the battery is low, the indicator will turn red.
The battery takes about 1.5 hours to charge. Please use the included TYPE-C charging cable for charging.
The indicator is red while charging, it will turn green when fully charged.
LED Indicator Guide
Setup
Setting up the Tripod
- Loosen the lower screw and pull out the legs (you might have to pull 2 legs at the same time)
- Once the legs are extended to the desired distance, tighten the screw (the wider the legs are extended the greater stability the tripod will have)
- Open the clips to extend the central pole, then close at the desired height
Attaching a device to the Tripod
Tablet:
The holder is stored at a 90º angle in the case, it needs to be upright so you can place the tablet in a landscape orientation. You can do this by loosening the top screw, lifting up the holder and then tightening.
Phone:
Your phone needs to be placed into the holder in a landscape orientation. To do this make sure the holder is at a 90° angle to the tripod. If using out of the case you will need to twist the holder up so that it faces you, or if it has been previously used for a tablet you will need to loosen the top screw and move the holder down to 90°, then tighten.
Pull the springy/sprung/stretchy side/top of the holder to extend it, allowing you to place the device in the holder in a landscape orientation.
WARNING! Make sure the device is held securely in the holder before moving the tripod.
If the holder is too large/small, you can adjust the size of it by pressing the button on the back and extending or compressing the top of it, then release the button.
Placement Considerations
Microphone
You can either choose to wear the microphone or place it nearer the students.
Wearing the microphone will mean it will capture everything the teacher says and much of what is heard around the classroom (depending on the volume of those sounds). For example, the microphone will capture a student at the back of the room answering a question from a teacher at the front of the room, if that student is speaking loudly. It will also capture group work when a teacher moves close to a group.
TIP:Summary
The Screen Fade option toggles the live video on and off. You can use screen fade to avoid distracting students. You can toggle this switch while recording if you need to reframe your shot.
Your Environment
TIP: Glare Aware! Try to position the camera/s so they are not facing into bright sunlight. If possible, point away from windows or close window blinds to reduce glare.
Things to consider:
- make sure the devices are safe and won't be broken or be a trip hazard
- the size and shape of the room - do you need to capture the whole room or just part of it
- how is the lighting? is the room too dark or too light?
- does the room have poor acoustics/echo?
TIP: Front Camera
To assist which placing the camera out of the way the app has a front camera option so you can place it in a corner of the room and see what it is capturing. Please note You cannot toggle this switch while recording.
Final Setup
- Place the tripods either on the floor or on a desk or shelf, extending or decreasing the central pole to the desired height.
- If the tripod is somewhere where it might get knocked or if it’s extended quite high, we recommend using the velcro strap included in the kit to secure it to a table leg or similar.
- Clip the microphone to your clothing or use the lanyard and holder provided.
- Launch the IRIS Connect Record app on your device and follow the on-screen instructions or refer to this article.
Recording
Using the Record app to create a recording
The Starter Kit will use the Record app on your device to capture your recording. Use this article to see how to use the Record app
After you have finished recording
- Make sure that the recording has uploaded before turning off the device.
- To turn off the microphone, press the button for a few seconds, the light will flash purple.
- Charge both the Bluetooth microphone and recording device to make sure they will have enough battery for the next recording.