Other ways to make videos

Teaching can be easily recorded on video in lecture halls. More than 60 lecture halls on different campuses have Unitube recording equipment that teachers can use independently. An ID card used for photocopiers is required for logging in.

Recording is operated in the halls from a control panel, similar to Unitube studios. Recordings are automatically sent to the Unitube server and can be found after a while in the Unitube Uploader on the recorder's own account. After processing, the recorder must complete the video recording information and place it in the appropriate collection. The videos can then be shared for viewing, for example, on a specific Moodle course or via a hidden link. Read the detailed instructions for using the Unitube Uploader on the helpdesk website.

Before recording, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the equipment and try out the camera, for example, if your goal is to make the things written on the whiteboard stand out in the video. Camera control during teaching is easier if another person can take care of its orientation.

Read more about the Unitube lecture recording facilities and equipment instructions on the helpdesk pages. You can inquire about familiarization with the recording equipment in advance: av-tuki@helsinki.fi.

A simple way to record videos for teaching is to use the Zoom or Teams application, by opening the meeting only for yourself. In Zoom, it is recommended to save the recording to the cloud and then download it to your own computer once you have received the download link by email. These applications can also be used for recording in those lecture halls that are equipped with video communication equipment.  

Read more about planning and recording instructional videos with Zoom on another page.

Submit your support requests related to the use of Zoom and Teams and technical questions to helpdesk@helsinki.fi.

If you want to use video communication applications in the lecture hall and need guidance on how to use the hall's technology, please contact HY247's AV support in good time: av-tuki@helsinki.fi.

• Helpdesk Zoom instructions
• Helpdesk Teams instructions
• Microsoft Teams instructions

ScreenPal is an editing program available to university staff and students that can also be used to make screen captures, i.e., record events on the computer screen and webcam images as videos. Commentary can also be added to the video either during capturing or by editing it afterwards.

The program can be installed on your own computer from the Windows and Mac software distribution sites of the university. Read the instructions for activating and using the ScreenPal license on the helpdesk pages. See also the instructions for making screen capture videos (also with Teams and Zoom) and instructions for editing videos with ScreenPal.

Nowadays, it is possible to record high-quality video with the cameras on mobile phones and tablets.  The university does not have a centralized storage facility for filming equipment, but many people can find a high-quality mobile device even on their own desk.

When using mobile devices, it is important to consider various factors that affect image and sound quality. The videographer must be familiar with the camera settings and know how to adjust the recording size and exposure, among other things. Even though the best cameras are highly light-sensitive, a well-lit location is essential for filming. If necessary, lighting can be improved either with an additional panel attached to the mobile device or with separate lights, which can also be conventional table or ceiling lights. The most pleasant lighting is often indirect and softened.

The advantage of mobile devices is their portability, but at the same time, the importance of image stabilization is emphasized. Disturbing vibrations can be prevented by leaning the camera firmly against a surface or attaching it to a standard camera tripod with a suitable adapter. The videographer can influence the final result by moving calmly and supporting the camera, for example, against their own body. Image stabilizing and motion-smoothing gimbals are also available for mobile phones.

Sound is often the most challenging aspect of mobile videography. Device microphones are constantly improving, but to get high-quality sound, you still need to record fairly close to the sound source. That's why it's a good idea to get an extra microphone that you can connect to your mobile device, either wired or wireless. This helps you record speech clearly and remove annoying background noise while you're shooting, which means you don't have to do as much editing later.

A digital system or video camera provides the best conditions for recording high-quality videos. Cameras often have sufficient light sensitivity even for low-light shooting and an optical zoom lens for accurately capturing distant subjects. System cameras in particular allow you to clearly separate the subject from the background by adjusting the depth of field. It is usually possible to connect an external microphone and a lighting panel to the camera, and the image can be stabilized with a stand.

A traditional video camera may be easier for a novice videographer to control than a system camera. The video camera's automatic exposure and focus controls help ensure successful shots, and the videographer may not need to do much more than frame the shot. When shooting with a system camera, on the other hand, depending on the model, one may need to manage more manual operations. There are also various action and 360 cameras on the market that can be used to shoot at specific locations, for example, in the laboratories of the university.

The university does not have a centralized equipment lending and maintenance service. It is best to inquire about cameras primarily from your own work unit.

PowerPoint presentations can be turned into videos in various ways. When making a video, you can add a webcam image and spoken commentary to the slides, for example. The video can be saved using PowerPoint's export function or, for example, in a Unitube Studio. The ScreenPal program provided by the university enables screen capturing, and you can also make a video out of a PowerPoint presentation by using Screenpal's storyboard function (see instructional video).

The University of Helsinki does not provide instructions for using PowerPoint, so please refer to Microsoft's instructions for converting a presentation into a video or watch Esa Riutta's instructional video (in Finnish). For technical support, please contact the helpdesk.

Unigrafia Oy, partly owned by the University of Helsinki, provides professional video production services. Three alternative service packages are available for video production for university courses. Filming takes place either at Unigrafia's own studio in Helsinki or, by agreement, in the surrounding area. For inquiries about the packages and costs, please contact: video@unigrafia.fi.