Windows Camera as an Alternative to OBS to Display Document Camera

Some faculty wish to display content via the document camera in classrooms to in-person participants.  Applications like VLC and OBS are options but have drawbacks.  The Camera app in Windows 10 and 11 is a superior option.  [If remote students are a consideration, you will want to use Zoom to share doc cam content.]

  • The easiest way to determine if a computer is running Windows 10 or 11 is to look at the Desktop.  If the Windows icon (4 squares) and other icons are centered, that’s Windows 11.  If they are left justified, that’s Windows 10
  • Next, left-click on the Windows icon.  Start typing c-a-m-e  and click to choose the Camera app.
  • Since most classrooms have multiple cameras connected, you will need to toggle through to display the document camera–  click the camera with the counter-clockwise swoosh in the upper right
  • In the upper right, click the square to maximize the display window.  It will not be full screen, but it will be close

   

Storing content on your P drive

Last updated: 9/2/2020

Your P drive is a cloud-based storage container, which is available when you are logged into your GCC work station, whether on-campus or through remote access.

Your P drive is a safe and practical location to store your work and course files, and its content is backed up nightly.  You are welcome to keep document and image files on this drive and should not experience a problem with ample storage space.

Audio and/or video files– for courses or other purposes– quickly consume storage space and we encourage you not to store them long-term on your P drive.  In fact, if you try to save such files, you will receive a message to this effect.

GCC provides a practical and convenient solution for audio and video files called Ensemble.  Think of it as a vast cloud-based video and audio shelf, on which you may store a seemingly endless number of such files.  In fact, if you record Zoom sessions of your courses, these recordings are automatically uploaded to your Ensemble account.  You also may easily create links in your Blackboard course sites to specific Ensemble files, making it easy for students to find and view audio/video content related to your course(s).

If you do not already have an Ensemble account (or are unsure if you have one), contact helpdesk@genesee.edu