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👁️ Getting Started

Once you have your equipment, you are ready to get started creating some video feedback!

  1. Connect your camera and screen together so that the screen is showing what the camera sees, then point the camera at the screen.
  2. Try to align the edges of the camera's view with the edges of the screen, so they are lined up as closely as possible. You will likely have to zoom or adjust the distance between the camera and screen, as well as ensuring that the camera is level with the center of the screen, and pointing straight at the screen.
  3. Spend some time with your camera and screen, and identify what settings you can change that will affect the image (see below).
Settings to look for identify & experiment with on your camera and screen:
  • Focus and zoom (camera/lens only)
    • Does it have auto and manual focus modes?
  • Brightness, exposure, or aperture
    • For cameras: does it have auto exposure and manual exposure modes?
  • Color / chroma / saturation
  • Tint, hue, and white balance
These controls may be available in the form of a knob, a lens ring, or an option inside a menu. For some security cameras, it may even be a small plastic screw called a "trim pot." Not all cameras and screens have all of these settings, but the more of them you can find, the more control you'll be able to have over your feedback.

Start by trying to align the camera and the screen as best you can, get the screen in focus, and try to get as close to neutral color & brightness as you can. From there, you can start to change individual settings and see if it affects the resulting feedback. Feedback can be delicate, so start with small changes.

It can be helpful to work in a darkened room as any ambient light can affect the results.