Need a pause button in my hand, unseen by webcam

July 12, 2018 3:39 PM

While recording videos on Windows 10 Camera app, I need to be holding something with a pause button in hand away from the webcam so I don't have to be seen on the video reaching in to pause it on the touchpad if/when I need to regroup. Anything like this and what it's called, hopefully for cheap? USB cord or something?
posted by noelpratt2nd to Computers & Internet (18 answers total)

Is editing out the reaching after the fact an option? That would be my first thought - not sure how it would fit in to what you're doing, though.
posted by sagc at 3:54 PM on July 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

Could you put a second USB keyboard under your desk, and just hit the spacebar with your toe?
posted by gregr at 4:30 PM on July 12, 2018

I too am going to recommend pressing a button with your foot. You can get specialized hardware to make the process easier and more accurate.
posted by ejs at 4:40 PM on July 12, 2018

You can get programmable USB footswitches, but the app will probably have to be the active window, which is probably the case anyway but may not be. Extra scripting utilities are able to bridge the gap regardless.
posted by rhizome at 4:43 PM on July 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I'll look into the "footwear." I do this on a laptop, and am often speaking as I reach in to pause, so I can't edit that out. No extra keyboard for floor...
posted by noelpratt2nd at 4:50 PM on July 12, 2018

Best answer: Before you get a footswitch, check that it's going to help. i.e., there needs to be a key that pauses the Camera. Windows Keyboard shortcuts in apps doesn't list any hotkeys.
posted by zamboni at 4:56 PM on July 12, 2018

Response by poster: I found that the spacebar works not only for pausing while viewing a video, but also making one. I think I'll be OK w/ a screen tilt, etc., I found now that my hand doesn't show creeping in to that or mousepad. Thanks.
posted by noelpratt2nd at 6:05 PM on July 12, 2018

There's also the option of a bluetooth or other wireless mouse, although I'm not sure how well that would connect to a tablet.
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 8:21 PM on July 12, 2018

Best answer: Editing out a pause is viable with different speaking techniques. As soon as you say something you’ll want to edit, stop talking immediately and stay silent for a while. Pause the video after some silence. You can then easily see the edit point later when looking at the audio.
posted by crazycanuck at 9:53 PM on July 12, 2018

Response by poster: Yes, thanks. Wish I could do it like Scott Adams, who talks extemporaneously for 15 minutes or more, no cuts, etc. On the other hand, many people incorporate lots of jumps into their style, arresting the viewer's attention almost constantly, and making it look good. Depends on what you're presenting about. Mine is meditation techniques.
Did that link come through?
posted by noelpratt2nd at 7:37 AM on July 13, 2018

Response by poster:
posted by noelpratt2nd at 7:38 AM on July 13, 2018

Response by poster: I use Camera, which has the video and audio all in one track... I tried inserting a link to my channel but it didn't take. YouTube: "Original Synthesist" if anyone wants to see my last edit experiments.
posted by noelpratt2nd at 7:45 AM on July 13, 2018

I'd just get a wireless mouse and use some program to remap the middle button to press the spacebar or enter a number from the keypad. There are also USB clickers that people use for presentations that typically map to forward/back media keys.

Most sorts of AutoHotKey or key/button remapping applications should be able to accomplish this.
posted by zengargoyle at 1:41 PM on July 13, 2018

Response by poster: What terms should I look up for this USB clicker if I want it, and does it have pause as well as fwd/back? And would it have a long enough extension to be in my hand as I sit in my butterfly chair? You see, it's for vids where I'm sitting back and legs are crossed in the chair, not touching floor.
posted by noelpratt2nd at 2:10 PM on July 13, 2018

Best answer: Looks like 'Wireless Presenter' or 'Smart Pointer' or 'Media Clicker', throw in either 'USB' or 'Bluetooth'... Amazon provieds a bunch of options. Most look like they do have Play/Pause among various other buttons.

They're wireless... there's a USB dongle antenna or it uses your computer's built-in Bluetooth.

I don't know anything about Windows, but I'm pretty sure there's some sort of program that could make it work. It may even just plain work already if your recording program understands the Play/Pause media button some keyboards have.
posted by zengargoyle at 3:52 PM on July 13, 2018

Response by poster: Well, much thanks. At least now I realize the spacebar pauses -- never knew that and it'll help. More reliable than risking missing the pause circle on Camera...

Think I'm good!
posted by noelpratt2nd at 3:59 PM on July 13, 2018

I have something like this cheap-o wireless keyboard/gyro-mouse. It works pretty well.

It has a space bar and a pause button. There are similar devices that are smaller, if keeping it off-camera is thing. A search for "air mouse" will usually take you down the right path there.

The DIY/Android TV box crowd uses an array of wireless mouse/keyboard solutions. Like this one and its related items.

Any of those should be able to put a space bar or mouse button at your fingertip.
posted by toxic at 10:42 PM on July 13, 2018

Response by poster: A related question I've never been able to understand: It seems YouTube has nothing that lets you line up more than one suggested video and lie down to listen to them one after the other. You have to go right back to the screen and click the next thing you wanna see/hear. Please tell me I've missed something... I'm asking for like any music app does, lets you add to "Now Playing," whatever they want to cal it. A "current playlist"...
posted by noelpratt2nd at 2:10 PM on July 15, 2018