Making high-quality videos on an inexpensive DIY lightboard (with technical tips relevant to all budgets)

A lightboard is a device for producing high-quality instructional videos, in which the presenter writes with neon markers on a pane of glass or plexiglass rimmed with LED lights while facing the camera; when done well, the presenter appears to be writing in the air. This poster will describe an inexpensive (under $1000) DIY lightboard build that – in conjunction with often-overlooked technical considerations – delivers HD video quality comparable to that of much more expensive institutional builds or commercially available systems. The essential technical considerations, including but not limited to camera settings and lighting, can be addressed at very low cost and are potentially relevant to all lightboards regardless of budget.