3D Doc Cam Refreshed

Wolf Vision
3D Document Camera

Wolfvision’s 3D document camera has been refreshed. Wolfvision is offering a new feature in their ceiling-mounted 3D document camera: the ability to record in 3D.

Displaying 3D with the WolfVision Ceiling-mounted
Document Camera

2013 Super List

2013 List of Visualizer Manufacturers

Here’s my comprehensive list of all known visualizers on the market. (If you see one missing, please leave a comment below.) Use this list for purposes of product evaluation, comparing features, bidding, and identifying RFP resources for your classroom document camera needs:

Top Manufacturers in K-20 settings (in alphabetic order)

AVerInformation www.averusa.com/presentation

Elmo http://www.elmousa.com/

Ken-A-Vision http://ken-a-vision.com/cameras/groups/document-cameras-visualisers

Lumens http://www.myladibug.com/

Pathway Innovations      http://www.thehovercam.com

QOMO http://www.qomo.com/ProductList.aspx?CategoryID=1

Recordex http://recordexusa.com/PresentationSolutions.html

Samsung Techwin: http://www.samcam860.com/

Other Notable Manufacturers (in alphabetic order)

All in Learning ($25 dollar Doc Cam) www.allinlearning.com 
Buhl http://www.hamiltonbuhl.com/store/c/3161-Visual-Presenters.aspx

Califone http://www.califone.com/visual.php

Epson http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/EdProjectors/Home/ClassroomSolutions.do?BV_UseBVCookie=yes

iPevo http://www.ipevo.com/

Luna http://www.learningresources.com/product/luna--8482-+interactive+projection+camera.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&

Optoma http://optomausa.com/products/detail/DC300

VidiFox http://www.vidifox.com/documentCamera.php

WolfVision http://www.wolfvision.com/visualizer/index.php/en

A Bird's Eye View

Here’s something you simply MUST know about. One of the most interesting types of visualizers now available is the ceiling-mounted document camera. This type of document camera mounts from the ceiling, requiring no hardware on the desktop, podium or lectern. That’s the kind of “light footprint” that many instructional venues require. It offers strong potential for science classrooms, medical teaching facilities, university classrooms, museums, auditoriums, houses of worship, demonstration kitchens, exhibit halls, and even cruise ships. (The cruise line could have used this type of document camera dozens of times on my recent anniversary cruise. They are so old-fashioned!)

So here is what is happening in this arena:

• Lumens just announced a new High-Definition Ceiling Camera, the CL510 Document Camera. This type of doc cam permits presentations with a completely clear line of sight between the presenter and the audience. And the cable mess disappears, too.  As I have stated previously, Lumens does document cameras well, and prices them affordably.  Plus they offer a five-year warranty.
• On the high end, WolfVision offers what they call a Ceiling Visualizer, which can be viewed here. This unit comes with a three-year warranty.

Different types of document cameras fit different needs. This is an example of a unique need. Let me know if you are aware of any other offerings in this category by simply commenting below.

InfoComm-ISTE Update

The new  ELMO small form factor document
camera, shown this June.

Two of the largest technology shows in the U.S. were held this last June. Both InfoComm (in Las Vegas) and ISTE (in San Diego) continued the trend toward more products, rapid feature improvements, and new manufacturers in the arena of document cameras. Over the next few months, I intend to cover in the pages of this blog some of the most intriguing and surprising developments in the document camera field to date. For now, let’s just say that this industry shows no signs of waning. Instead, innovation and feature advancement are alive and well.

Wolfvision showcased their offerings
for the  medical and university markets.
This basic unit retails in the $3,000 range.

Every major manufacturer was present at these shows, along with some newcomers. Most were in the exhibit halls, while some (like Lumens) featured personalized private showings in nearby suites along with a solid exhibit hall floor presence. My book, DigitalShapeshifter, was on sale or on display at ISTE. But what was missing—and needs to be there—is a stronger “instructional practice” presence: presentations, workshops, and poster sessions evidencing effective classroom use of document cameras. It's not good enough to just be in exhibit hall booths. Document camera technologies, which are so potentially transformative in nature, must navigate their way into the educational and intellectual currents of these major conferences.

Pathway Innovations was showing new
versions of their HoverCam document cameras.

Watch for my list of updated document camera manufacturers, which will follow in the conclusion to this series. And don’t worry— I’ll continue to pepper this series and the entire blog with great instructional ideas and suggestions, not just new product reviews. It’s all about learning in the classroom…

The Lumens 3D and wireless document cameras
were also shown at ISTE

InfoComm 3D DocCam Update

Here’s a timely update on last week’s 3D Document Camera Post. Last week I was at InfoComm 2102 and was able to see the new Lumens 3D document Camera up close and in action. I also found another 3D document camera hitting the market, produced by Wolfvision. Here’s what I found:

Lumens 3D Ladibug. The form factor is attractive and the visualization quality, using a DLP ultra-short throw projector was stellar. This unit will retail in the $700+ range and is well worth the money. Although aimed at the K-20 education market, the quality of image is stunning. It should fit anywhere. 

A science lesson demonstration featuring long-time 3D educator, 

Nancye Blair, using the Lumens 3D Ladibug.

WolfVision 3D Document Camera. This 3D document camera is ceiling mounted and designed for industrial and advanced medical applications.  The model shown was just released and retails for around $30,000. The sales rep was not able to demonstrate it well or answer simple questions about application, so I ended up explaining how it could be used to several University passersby. I also showed the sales rep how this technology is best viewed 10+ feet away, not up close, as they were doing. The latency on the document camera was quite significant, but I expect they will improve upon this problem in future updates.

Demonstrating the WolfVision 3D document camera at InfoComm