Introduction: Ezi IPhone Video Screen Capture Jig

In this project I'll show you how to create an inexpensive jig to capture video on your iphone. In case you're not aware, the iPhone is designed to allow you to take photo screenshots of your iPhone by pressing down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time but unfortuneately it doesn't allow for for video capture.

I appreciate there's more expensive software out there that can capture iPhone video screens but this small jig comes in handy if you want to take a 'stable' video of actions on the iPhone without setting up any software on your iPhone, PC or MAC. 

iPhone video capture is often used by developers and gamers to take short videos of their app creations or games. It's also great if your outside and you want to take a video of your iPhone, then switch to the built-in iPhone camera to continue shooting. If you've got a drill and drill bits, the parts for this project will cost you around $8.00 to put together and you'll have plenty of left-over material, in case you make a mistake.

Step 1: What You Need for the Build

What you'll need for the build;

- 2 iPhones (you may have to burrow an iPhone from a friend, if you haven't got a spare)
- 2 Pieces of Square 'C' Channel (it's pretty easy to find 2 pieces, one that fits nicely into the other. As shown in the images)
- A pack of small Grub Screws
- A drill
- A drill bit to suit the Grub Screw
- A hacksaw
- Hex Key to suit the Grub Screw, and
- Some Sandpaper to tidy up your work

Step 2: How to Make It

Once you got all your materials for the project, using the dimensions listed in the enclosed photos and cut the lengths of your 'C' Channel.

The thickness of portable devices vary somewhat, so once you've cut your 'C' Channel to length, sit the device on to the side of the 'C' Channel and mark each side as shown in the image. Then using your hacksaw, cut a groove to fit the device at the angle shown (22 Degrees). REMEMBER when you cut out the section of the 'C' Channel to fit the device, that you cut 'inside' the marked lines; that way your device won't be too loose and fall out. 

Allow approx 10-12mm overlap between the 2 pieces of 'C' Channel and drill a small hole to fit the Grub Screw. Tighten the Grub Screw into place, sand all the rough edges and you're good to go.

Step 3: Capture Video Screen on IPhone

Once you've put the jig together, drop it the 2 iPhones as shown, switch the first iPhone to video and turn the second iPhone to your chosen screen. 

Side one side of the 'C' Channel backwards and/or forwards inside the other 'C' Channel until you have the desired screen size visible in the 1st iPhone. Tighten up the Grub Screw and you're ready to take your first iPhone video screen capture. The iPhone will be off-set sightly in the jig due to the iPhone lens position on the device.

If you don't get the angle cut correctly, you may have to make-up/cut another section of 'C' Channel until you get it right.

Below is a sample video of the results of the jig.


For those interested; you can download the TrekSafe Personal Safety app in the App Store at

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/treksafe/id633922440?mt=8