A Lightboard is a truly functional and increasingly essential resource for educators today. As the educational environment increasingly moves online, the ability for educators to make clear, direct videos for online viewing is vital. The unique design of a Lightboard directly improves the board’s visibility on video. More than that, the ability for the instructor to see or to be seen through the glass at the same time improves the presentation dramatically.
As the popularity of Lightboard has increased and as its uses in virtual and live classrooms by educators and by students have evolved, several software solutions have been designed to elevate the capabilities of Lightboard. Some solutions have also been innovated specifically to improve the recorded footage and to address other needs. As you prepare to use Lightboard for the first time or as you look for opportunities to maximize the benefits that your equipment provides, you need to learn about some of the leading Lightboard software solutions available.
Why You Need Specialized Lightboard Software
As beneficial as Lightboard is, you may have several challenges with it. For example, you may struggle to get the lighting just right in your studio. The only lighting on the glass should be from the LED lights embedded in the frame. However, the instructor needs to be illuminated as well. Some software solutions are designed to improve visibility related to lighting, and others may be used to add images to the screen, edit the video and more. When you spend the time, energy and money setting up a Lightboard, you understandably want to maximize the benefits and produce the most professional, effective videos possible.
Camtasia Studio
Camtasia Studio is a powerful software program that is used to record and edit video so that professional results are achieved. You must have a license to use this program, so you may need to obtain a license through your institution. It is available with a free 30-day trial. Some alternatives to Camtasia Studio are Kaltura and Kaltura Capture. Generally, Camtasia Studio is a beefier program that has more robust tools, but it is also much more time-consuming to learn how to use all of its features. If you have lighter recording and editing needs, the user-friendly status of the Kaltura and Kaltura Capture programs may make them more practical.
OpenShot
OpenShot is a free, open-source program that has been designed with ease-of-use in mind. This video editing program has a user-friendly interface. While it has robust features, you can quickly learn how to use all of them effectively. The program is supported by Windows, Mac, and Linux. It provides you with many ways to trim your videos and to enhance them with animation features and video effects. You can even overlay audio on the video footage. Background videos, titles, 3-dimensional animations, speed adjustments, reversing or flipping the video and other functions are also available.
ShotCut
ShotCut is also an open-source program that you can explore and use at no cost. Its interface is intuitive, which makes it easy for you to access and use all of the program’s exciting features. Because it supports a wide range of formats and video speeds, this is a video editor that works well for most needs. Through this program, you can also capture footage through your webcam or screen. You can extract screenshots or single frames from your videos, such as if you need an image for a PowerPoint presentation. Through this program, you can also take advantage of its exceptional audio editing and enhancing capabilities. The video editing capabilities are equally robust, and they provide you with the ability to add fades and filters, to blend colors and images, to balance lighting and more. It also has overall footage editing capabilities, a shortcut tutorial and many other features that can help you to easily produce truly professional, finished productions.
Video Switcher
Video Switcher specifically enables you to combine mixed video sources. For example, it will help you to incorporate a PowerPoint presentation into your Lightboard video. This platform enables you to project the PowerPoint display onto the Lightboard. This may be as an overlay, as a split-screen display or in another format. Through the program’s advanced features, you can even give the impression that the PowerPoint presentation is in front of or behind the presenter. With the latest version of Video Switcher, you can use this program to act as a teleprompter while you are recording the video. Notably, Video Switcher enables you to have six video inputs, which means that it presents exciting possibilities for your productions. It even has audio mixing and video editing functions.
MPEG Streamclip
In almost all cases, the use of a video editor is essential. After all, even if you do not want to enhance the lighting, add graphics or take advantage of other exciting futures, you still want to cover the basics. This may be to crop the video at the beginning and end so that the viewers do not see you fiddling with the equipment or setting up. You also likely want a video editor that will reverse the images. This is because the camera is usually placed behind the glass so that the presenter is facing the camera while writing on the board. Without a video editor that reverses the images, the footage will be difficult for the viewers to understand. MPEG Streamclip is a basic video editor that is easy to use and covers primary needs only. Through this editor, the video is converted to .mp4 format. This means that it can be directly uploaded to YouTube and other popular platforms.
With so many Lightboard software solutions available, you should spend time exploring all of the features that they provide. Whether you are searching for a basic video editor or you want to elevate your productions so that they are truly captivating with exciting audio and visual effects, the capabilities are available at your fingertips through these solutions.