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What’s New in Low Vision Technology 2008 CCTV Video Magnifiers Trends and Considerations. Robert McGillivray Certified Low Vision Therapist The Carroll Center f/t Blind Mass Commission f/t Blind. PowerPoint Presentation Downloadable at:. www.carroll.org/resources/. Plan .
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What’s New in Low Vision Technology 2008CCTV Video MagnifiersTrends and Considerations Robert McGillivray Certified Low Vision Therapist The Carroll Center f/t Blind Mass Commission f/t Blind
PowerPoint PresentationDownloadable at: www.carroll.org/resources/
Plan • Explore some newer and unique devices • Discuss characteristics and considerations • Identify trends • Review resources
Desktop systems Variable Magnification Color, W/B, B/W Large Field of View Options Increased reading speed Increased duration Reduced visual effort Comfortable working position Traditional CCTV Video Magnifiers
Trends in Video Magnifiers:Desktop Units • Integrated LCD displays • Color, Auto Focus • Adjustable height screens • Faster Response Rates • Screen sizes: Standard, Widescreens • Transportable Classroom, distance viewing • Laptop Compatible systems
Trends in Video Magnifiers: Compact Systems • Compact/pocket video magnifiers • New features, designs • Variable Magnification • Batteries improvements • Ultra-compacts • Small size • Replacement for Optical magnifier? • Less Expensive
Newer Desktop Video MagnifiersIntegrated LCD Displays • Available from all major vendors • Sizes: 17” to 22” + with WS • Adjustable height screens • High contrast • Flicker free • Improved response rates • Well received by consumers
Newer Desktop Video MagnifiersIntegrated LCD SystemsConsiderations • Image retention problems for some at low magnification • Costs • Stand by mode • Cleaning the screen
Newer Desktop Video MagnifiersLCD Display Aspect Ratios • Bigger screens gives more magnification? • Not necessarily! • Standard Aspect 4:3 (older TVs, current & older CCTVs) • Widescreen (WS) aspect 16:9 (newer designs) • Comparing Standard to WS, apples to oranges
Newer Desktop Video MagnifiersLCD Display Aspect Ratios • Screens are measured diagonally • A 22” WS will give a wider image than a 19” Standard but may be equal in screen height • Limited vertical magnification, only stretching the width • Characters may be wider and more spaced but not much taller.
Newer Desktop Video MagnifiersLCD Display Aspect Ratios • Currently both ratios are available so be cautious in thinking a larger screen will give you a larger image. • Soon it is expected that only widescreen systems will be available. That may reduce the confusion.
Newer Desktop Video MagnifiersIntegrated LCD Displays • Freedom Scientific Topaz • Telesensory Apex • Enhanced Vision Merlin LCD • Magnisight Journey Optelec • ClearView Plus • HumanWare Extend • Vision Technology Inc. • Others
Compact Video Magnifiers:Newer Features • Variable Magnification • Replaceable Batteries • Longer battery life • Image Freeze • Color Select • Light off mode: for reading cell phones, other displays • Writing Cameras • Distance Viewing • Smaller Designs
Compact/Pocket Video Magnifiers • Advantages • Wide field of view • Image at display level • Use at arms-length • Reverse contrast available • Cell phone, PDA displays! • Short-term writing tasks • Kids reading comic books under the blanket
Enhanced Vision Nemo • 4 inch screen • Brightest in all modes • 4.5X to 9X Magnification • Freeze Frame • Integrated, rechargeable Batteries • 3 Hour battery Life • 6 Viewing modes • Cost: $795.00
Freedom ScientificOpal • 4 inch display • Weight: 10 ounces • 4.5X to 9X magnification • Output; TV, USB • 6 viewing modes • Integrated Lithium Ion rechargeable battery • Run time: 4 hours • Charge time: 3.5 hours • Cost: $795.00
Optelec Compact + • 4 inch screen • Replaceable, rechargeable AA batteries • 5X to 10X Magnification • Retractable Handle • 3 hour battery life • 5 viewing modes • Lights off modes • Freeze frame • Cost: $795.00
GW Micro SenseView • Thinnest of the 4 inch screen systems • 5 hour battery life • Integrated rechargeable battery • Battery meter • 4X to 22.5X magnification • Freeze frame • 6 Viewing modes • 4 brightness levels • Limited range of focus • Cost: $825.00
Compact systems with distance capabilities • Near and distance capabilities • Read mail, products on a shelf and get a better view of distance object. • Allows users to see an object that is at distance close up on the screen • Limited clarity and magnification at a distance
GW Micro SenseView Duo • Two cameras • Stores up to 20 images • 3X to 13X magnification • Lights off mode • Image panning • 7 Viewing modes, 4 Brightness levels • 4.5 hour battery life, integrated, rechargeable • Cost: $1299.00
Ash Technology Quicklook Focus • Has four ranges of focus; 3 near, one distance • Auto or manual focus • Advanced settings menu • 3X to 18X magnification • 4 hour battery life • Integrated rechargeable battery • Cost: $995.00
Sub-Compact SystemsLooky • 3.5 inch screen • Magnification between 3X to 8X depending on distance from object • Replaceable, rechargeable AA batteries • 1.5 hour battery life • Folding handle/stand • Small enough to fit shirt pocket • Handle
HumanWare SmartView Pocket • 3.6 inch screen • 3X to 9X • S-video output • Light weight: 4.9 ounces • Centralized camera • 2.5 hour rechargeable battery • Cost $615.00
Ultra Compacts • 1.8 inch screens • Very limited field of view • Limited contrast enhancement • Smaller to carry • Affordable? • Compare with optical devices
Ultra CompactClarity i-vu • 1.8 inch screen • 3 hour battery life • 5X-20X magnification • Color and inverse color modes only • Auto shut off • Freeze frame • Cost: $279.00
Ultra CompactHumanWare nano • 1.8 inch screen • 3 hour battery life • 5X-20X magnification • Color and inverse color modes only • Auto shut off • Freeze frame • Cost: $259.00
Ultra CompactILA Dino View • 1.8 inch screen • 3 hour battery life • Replaceable rechargeable AAA batteries • 5X-20X magnification • Color and inverse color modes only • Auto shut off • Image capture software allows image to be uploaded to computer • Video out to TV • Freeze frame • Cost: $224.95
“Classroom” Desktop Video MagnifiersFeatures • Full Size screen • Full Features • Remote Controllable • Near and Distance Viewing • For Classroom, Conference or In- Service Training Activities • Transportable “Luggable” • AC or optional battery
Near and Distance Viewing • Near tasks • Desktop: Reading, writing, note taking • Inspection, work tools • Distance tasks • Objects on display • Audio visual displays • Limited board work
“Classroom”Desktop Video MagnifiersNear and Distance • Clarity Deskmate • VTI VIEW • Enhanced Vision Acrobat LCD • Freedom Scientific Onyx Deskset
Clarity Deskmate • Near, intermediate and distance viewing • 17-inch LCD display • Auto focus • Color, W/B, B/W • Remote controls • Optional battery pack Advanced modes • Lifetime warranty • $2595.00
Vision Technology Inc.VIEW • Near, intermediate and distance viewing • Folds ups into carrying case • Precision setup • $3440.00 • Weight 15 pounds • Battery/Charger option • 2 hours
Enhanced VisionAcrobat LCD • 19 inch display • Sliding camera arm • Camera rotates 340 degrees • 7 Viewing modes • Advanced features, windowing , lines, etc. • Cost: $2395.00
Freedom ScientificOnyx Deskset • Swing arm model • 17 inch system (12 pounds) • 19 inch system (15.4 pounds) • Distance View, document view, self view • Remote control • Rolling carrying case • Cost for 17”: $2595.00 • Cost for 19”: $2795.00
Laptop Compatible Video Magnifiers • Most students use laptop computers • Video magnification could be helpful • Portable camera using notebook display
Multi-Task • Computer, read, write, see at a distance • Classroom, Conferences, In-Service Training • On-site activities; reports, forms, assessments
AdvancedLaptop Compatible Systems • Special modified software/systems • More acceptable image • Visual enhancement features • Keyboard controlled • USB powered cameras • USB operation gives portability • Some drain on laptop battery • Requirements • High performance computer • High performance video card
The Technology • Video Camera • CCTV video magnifiers, others • Camera Power Source • USB, Battery, AC • Laptop Computer • High End • USB Interface/Adaptor • Video Imaging/Capture Software • Simple, Advanced, Complex
Software • Advanced Software Features • Visual Enhancement • Controlling Software • Mouse • Keyboard • Combination • Camera control by keyboard • Magnification • Modes, colors • Markers • Setting views/presets, windows, enhanced images • Saving images
Displays not tuned for high contrast Display video response rates vary, may be a concern Software results in a slight image delay as the camera or target moves ConsiderationsLaptop LCD Displays
Considerations • Image Quality: Camera • Modes: B/W, W/B, HC, color • Range of magnification: low, high • Depth/range of focus • Ambient lighting: material, screen • Image Quality: Computer • Brightness level • Contrast • Image retention; static and moving • Processing display • Images of poor contrast material
Considerations • User Interaction • Technical control of software • Aiming the camera, following continuous text can take a good deal of effort • Desk space limitations • Transporting, large cart or case
Distance ViewingIssues • Information gathering • Classroom activities • Short term tasks • Image captures • Intensive board work, distracting • Magnification/distance