The iStudio has robust equipment for capturing, manipulating and editing video. One piece of technology which is highly useful for manipulating video in live settings is the datavideo Digital Video Switcher SE-800. When working with multiple cameras, the switcher allows for real time editing, dissolving from one camera to another and also allowing for switches to be made in audio sources. The iStudio has utilized the video switcher in situations where a teacher is working with a student and multiple cameras are needed to see the screen or book that the student is reading from, which requires a camera positioned behind the subjects, as well as a the expressions of the student and teacher during critical learning moments, which requires a different camera angle.
In 2015, the iStudio used the video switcher’s chroma key to power a mock weather report as part of a College Mentors for Kids program. Chroma key is a technique that replaces colors–usually blue or green–in a video image with another color or image. This process allowed us to create a composite image, placing our amateur weather forecasters in front of a weather map.
To use chroma key, select your camera shooting the green screen as the main video and then click on the background button (BACK GND) and select the underlay image desired as the SUB-SOURCE. To set color and level settings, press the CHROMA KEY button so that only the left LED light is lit (the INTL setting), then toggle through the color and level settings to determine what results in the best image. The chroma key on the SE-800 video switcher works best on color settings 6 and 12, both at the highest level.
Other things to keep in mind:
The chroma key setting on the SE-800 gets the best results with good lighting.
Figures will look better when standing a couple feet in front of the green screen rather than directly against it.
The iStudio’s video switcher connects most easily to cameras that support firewire.
Sometimes, despite the best efforts, the resulting image will still be a little choppy.
