Bryan Center Studios (BCS) Studio 1 - Duke Staff Video Production

Bryan Center Studios (BCS) Studio 1
Duke Staff Video Production

This studio is only available to Duke University or Health System full-time staff whose principal role is media creation/production and after completing mandatory training. 

How To Get Support (Available M-F, 9AM - 6PM, Excluding University Holidays)

Lights
  • Turn lights on with “Alexa, turn studio lights on.”
  • Color temperature and brightness can be controlled through iPad app.
  • Can use Kasa app on the iPod to toggle individual lights on/off.
  • iPad access code is 0812.
  • The exterior "Recording" light can be turned on by pressing the associated button on the desk next to the computer. Pressing it twice will turn it off. 
Sound
  • A  Sennheiser boom mic is supplied
    • If you would prefer up to two lav mics, please request via help@duke.edu at least 2 days prior to your reservation
    • Boom mic is phantom powered and should be left on.
  • If audio not coming through on headphones attached to camera, make sure the boom mic is switched on

Camera
  • The camera model is Sony FX6. (PDF Manual)
  • Power switch is on the bottom left side toward the back of the camera.
  • SD card slots are just above the power switch. Two SD cards can be inserted at once.
  • The default recording codec is XAVC-I QFHD (3840x2160 pixels), 29.97fps, max 300 Mbps.
  • 160 GB of storage provides approximately 60 minutes of recording time.
  • Release the brakes on the tripod wheels to adjust the camera position. To adjust the height, pull the orange lever below the camera mount and raise or lower the center column.
  • Zoom must be adjusted manually by rotating the innermost ring of the lens (1).
  • The audio level of the shotgun microphone can be adjusted using the “CH-1” dial on the left side of the camera (2).
  • Record buttons are located on the left side toward the front of the camera (3), on the top handle, and on the grip attached on the right side of the camera.
  • Hold the “MENU” button (4) on the left side of the camera and use the multi-function dial (5) to navigate to the “TC/Media” menu. Select “Reset”.

 

Key

  1. Zoom lens
  2. Microphone level
  3. Record
  4. Full menu
  5. Multi-function dial
  6. Focus toggle
  7. Focus ring
  8. Iris control
  9. White balance control
  10. Zebra pattern/Focus peaking toggle

 

Adjusting Settings

  • If you wish to adjust individual settings, please remember to set them back after your session.
  • Recording Codec- Push the “MENU” button on the left side of the camera and use the multi-function dial to navigate to the “Project” menu.
  • Focus - Auto focus can be toggled on and off using the switch located on the barrel of the lens (6).
  • Manually adjust focus using the outer ring of the lens (7).
  • Iris - Use the dial at the front of the camera grip or by pushing the “IRIS” button (8) on the left side of the camera and use the multi-function dial at the front of the camera.
  • White Balance Push the “WHT BAL” button on the left side of the camera (9) and use the multi-function dial at the front of the camera.
  • Zebra/Peaking - Zebra pattern and focus peaking can be toggled on and off using the buttons on the left side of the viewfinder (10).
  • Audio
  • Up to two microphones can be connected to the camera using the XLR inputs on the top handle.
  • Assign inputs to recorded channels by pushing the “MENU” button and navigating to the “Audio” menu.
    • Monitoring volume and mix can also be adjusted in this menu.

 

Default Settings for Studio Camera
  • Focal Length: 50mm
  • Focus: Auto
  • Codec: 29.97, XAVC-I, 3840x2160
  • Scene File: S-Cinetone
  • Base ISO: Low
  • Timecode: Reset
  • Clip Name: Reset
  • Iris: f/2.8
  • White Balance: 4500 K
  • Gain: 0db and switch set to L
  • Zebra/Peaking: Off
  • Audio: CH1 = INPUT 1, Manual; CH2 = INPUT 2, Manual; CH3 = INPUT 1, Auto; CH4 = INPUT 2, Auto; MONITOR CH = MIX ALL
Computer
  • Log in with your Duke netID and password.
Recording with Slides
  • Find clicker in the desk drawer, plug in USB stick into back of computer and turn clicker on.
  • The power for the reference monitor is on the back right, the top-most button.
  • Use Powerpoint/Keynote to present, and Camtasia to do a screen recording of the monitor.
  • Be sure to record room audio with Camtasia to make syncing easier.
Recording with Teleprompter
  • The power button for the teleprompter monitor in on the right side, to the right of the power status light.
  • The teleprompter monitor acts as an additional monitor to the iMac. You do not need to mirror displays. 
  • If you are using the teleprompter for the first time, you will need a member of the Academic Media Production staff to log in to the teleprompter account for you.
  • Click on the button in the bottom right of the Teleprompter app to create a secondary window with the mirrored version. You can then drag that window to the teleprompter monitor and put in full-screen.
  • You can use the keyboard arrows to manually adjust the speed up and down while the script is running.
Recording with Slides and Teleprompter
  • This is possible but takes a bit more configuration beyond the default setup. Please let us know if you need this use case and we can assist you.
Recording with Zoom
  • Start a Zoom call and set the view to active speaker
  • Select "Phoenix" for Microphone
  • Select "AV.io HDMI Video" for camera/mic
  • Drag Zoom call window to teleprompter monitor.
Video Playback
  • You can review footage on the SD card directly in the camera's viewfinder by clicking on the "Thumbnail" button next "Menu" (button 4). Use the joystick on top of the camera to navigate and select which clip you'd like to review.
  • You can alternatively eject the SD card from the camera and insert it into the SD card reader on the rear of the iMac. Open the SD card icon on the desk and navigate through the folders "PRIVATE" > "XDROOT" > "CLIP". The clips are saved as .MXF files and can be opened and viewed with the Quicktime software.
When You’re Done Recording
  • Take your SD card out, make sure you have what you need from the computer. Log out of any accounts online. Log out of computer.
  • Restore default camera/light settings if they were changed.
  • Place podiums to the side of the studio.
  • Turn off the boom mic.
  • Turn off the camera.
  • Turn off monitors.
  • Turn off studio lights (“Alexa, turn off the studio lights.”)
  • Make sure the door is closed and locked behind you.

 

Article number: KB0038057

Valid to: March 10, 2026