##Introduction## This page documents the construction of the [video spectrometer](/wiki/video-spectrometer). This hardware design will soon be released under the CERN Open Hardware License 1.1. A draft agreement is under development here: http://publiclaboratory.org/wiki/ohl-agreement and should be complete in a few days. Construction takes approx. 1 hour. Open-source software to operate this spectrometer is available at: http://github.com/jywarren/spectral-workbench ##Materials## * Everything necessary to make a DIY Spectrometer (let's try to reduce this list!): * a black VHS case like from Blockbuster * a straight-edge * scissors * X-acto knife * a pen * black tape (gaffe or electrical) * white glue * hot glue and a hot glue gun * a letter or A4-sized sheet of stiff black card paper * a DVD-R * a USB webcam, preferably over 640x480/VGA resolution, 780 HD is best * a computer ##Construction## A full step-by-step tutorial can be found in this gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreywarren/sets/72157627998033468/detail/ It will run as a slideshow here, but you have to click the above link to see all the comments and instructions. A more complete tutorial, videos, and a downloadable illustrated guide are coming soon. Get in touch if you want to help out!