from Technology & Learning
Document cameras are becoming a staple for schools. Here's a rundown on the latest and what to consider before purchasing.
Document cameras have come a long way from the big, hot overhead projectors of the 1960s. Today document cameras (also called visualizers or document imagers) use electronic cameras to capture documents, books, and photos then use high-intensity lights and lenses to display them on-screen.
But that's not all: Many document cameras can serve as tripod-mounted cameras, allowing educators to display 3D artifacts. Some can even rotate their heads to capture students on camera, and many can be connected to PCs to provide double duty as multimedia projectors.
As with any product, capabilities and prices vary. Things to look for include number of megapixels offered (more means higher picture resolution and detail), zoom capabilities (optical is better than digital), and ability to interconnect with other devices.
Buyer's Checklist
Look for the following when shopping for a document camera:
- A clear, clean font
- Easy auto focusing
- A tilting head to accommodate various-sized material
- The ability to zoom in on objects
- An on-board control panel that is easy to use
- A remote control
- At least three megapixels of resolution
What to Look For
What should you look for when buying a document camera? T&L spoke with Jane Miller, an instructional technology facilitator with Spokane Public Schools in Spokane, Washington.
At the minimum, says Miller, "It is imperative that the models under consideration have the ability to project a clear image of 12-14 font that can be viewed from the back of the room," Also important are "the ability to focus easily, a tilting head to accommodate various sized materials, the ability to zoom in on objects, and an on-board control panel that is easy to use."
To get the most out of a document camera, look for one with remote control capability, at least three megapixels of resolution, and auto focus. According to Miller, "Auto focus is extremely important. Many teachers have trouble distinguishing what needs to be adjusted, the focus of the projector or the camera."
The Spokane Plan
So what document cameras does Spokane Public Schools choose? In 2002 it bought about 34 Elmo DP70s at $500 each, using a grant from the Gates Foundation. "By 2004 the Spokane community passed a technology bond that began the next purchase phase of emergent technologies," Miller says. "After much research, our district began purchasing the AVerMedia (AVerVision) brand of document cameras. This decision was made based on the quality of the projection, price, and functions."
Of the AVerVision document cameras purchased, Miller prefers the 300AF—which usually run between $650 and $699 each. "This model has been a delight," she says. "The auto-focus capability and improvements on the remote control and software allow for ease of use."
James Careless is a freelance journalist based in Ottawa, Canada.
T&L compares some of the best document cameras for schools.
Company Name/URL
AVerVision
aver.com
Model
document cameras ranging from AVerVision139 to AVerVision530
Range of Megapixels (MP) Available
0.85–3.2 MP
Range of Zoom Options
digital zoom and pan/optical zoom (not on all models); some models have "AVERZOOM"
Zoom Range
4X-8X digital/0–12X optical
Focus
manual/automatic (varies by model)
Inputs
VGA, USB
Outputs
DVI, VGA, composite video, S-Video
Price Range
DVI, VGA, composite video, S-Video
Company Name/URL
Boxlight
www.boxlight.com
Model
BV1100 visual presenter
Range of Megapixels (MP) Available
0.41 MP
Range of Zoom Options
power zoom (optical)
Zoom Range
220X
Focus
manual
Inputs
MIC, video, audio
Outputs
S-Video, video, audio
Price Range
$899
Company Name/URL
Canon
www.usa.canon.com
Model
RE-455X
Range of Megapixels (MP) Available
0.79 MP
Range of Zoom Options
power zoom (optical)
Zoom Range
12X
Focus
automatic/manual
Inputs
RGB
Outputs
video, S-Video, RGB
Price Range
$1449
Company Name/URL
Dukane
www.dukcorp.com
Model
DVP505A Visualizer
Range of Megapixels (MP) Available
0.85 MP
Range of Zoom Options
digital, optical, and mechanical
Zoom Range
motorized 4X digital/12X optical/6.7X mechanical
Focus
automatic
Inputs
RGB, Computer D-sub 15 pin (VGA)
Outputs
RGB, Computer D-sub 15 pin (VGA), DVI Digital & Analog Connector, S-Video mini DIN 4 pin, composite video, USB, audio
Price Range
$1695
Company Name/URL
Elmo
www.elmousa.com
Model
Elmo P100
Range of Megapixels (MP) Available
0.85–2.1 MP
Range of Zoom Options
digital and optical
Zoom Range
4X–8X digital, 5.3X–16X optical
Focus
automatic/manual
Inputs
USB, SD card
Outputs
DVI, S-Video, composite video
Price Range
$589.99–$3850
Company Name/URL
Epson
www.epson.com
Model
ELPDC05 High Resolution Document Imager
Range of Megapixels (MP) Available
0.85 MP
Range of Zoom Options
digital and optical
Zoom Range
digital 2X/optical 18X
Focus
automatic
Inputs
RGB
Outputs
RGB
Price Range
$3,795
Company Name/URL
Toshiba
www.toshiba.com
Model
TLP-C001 Document Camera
Range of Megapixels (MP) Available
3.0 MP
Range of Zoom Options
digital and optical
Zoom Range
4X digital/2X optical
Focus
automatic
Inputs
RGB
Outputs
RGB
Price Range
$498.99
