Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library Newsletter A Publication for Local Branches of Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library Volume 5, Issue 2 – Summer, 2003 What is a CCTV? A CCTV is an electronic magnification system that uses a camera and some type of display screen to create an enlarged image of printed text and illustrations. Several new CCTVs have been added to the Assistive Technology Lending Library. Some are updated versions of familiar models, and others are new, and more portable CCTVs are available. A comparison chart of the CCTVs in this issue, along with other new models, has been included on a pull-out comparison chart that can be saved for future reference. ********** New CCTVs in the Lending Library Visio The Visio’s flat panel monitor takes up a small amount of desk space, and its handheld camera allows the user to bring the camera to the material, whether on a desk or on a lap. There are separate knobs for brightness, contrast and color, and one button switches from PC to camera view. Another button toggles the settings between color, positive or negative mode. The magnification levels are 8.5x to 28x on the 12.1” monitor (included), with 6.5x magnification for writing mode. Measurements are as follows: Display unit: 13.3” wide x 10.7” deep x 13.2” high; Handheld camera: 4.1” wide x 3” deep x 2” high; Writing stand: base 7.6”, height 5”, Total Weight: 13.06 lbs. Inventory code: RD-VISIO; Cost: $3,195.00; Telesensory – 800-804-8004, info@telesensory.com, www.telesensory.com. PocketViewer The PocketViewer is a compact video magnifier that fits into your coat pocket or purse, and weighs only 10 ounces. Images appear in high contrast, black on white, or white on black (up to 7x) on a 4” flat panel display. The magnification can be reduced by lifting or tilting the PocketViewer, so that the user can see more of the object they are looking at. The rechargeable battery has a running time of just under 2 hours. Size: Length: 5.6” x Width: 3.4” x Depth: 1.4”. Inventory code: RD-POCMAG; Cost: $890.00; Pulse Data - 800-722-3393. Liberty Solo The Liberty Solo features an ergonomically designed 12” flat screen, and a mouse-type camera with built-in rollers that is hand-held and moved along on the text while reading. For low magnification (4x-6x), the camera is placed on the Writing Stand in a level position to use as a “reading stand.” For higher magnification (10x-40x) the camera “mouse” is held in the user’s hand. This separate camera and monitor design allows the user to position the monitor at an optimum focal distance and either on the left side or right side, depending on the user’s viewing comfort. Other features include 3 pre-set text/background text reading settings and one custom user setting. The image may be viewed in color, black and white, and reverse (white on black). The two rechargeable batteries each last up to 1.5 hours of continuous operation on a full charge, for a total battery time of 3 hours. The unit weighs approximately 9 pounds. Inventory code: RD-LIB12; Cost: $3,290.00; Freedom Vision – 800-961-1334; info@freedomvision.net; www.freedomvision.net. ClearView Traveller The Traveller is a portable CCTV (7.1” x 6.3” x 3.7”, weight: 1.75 lbs.) with large, easy-to-understand buttons. The magnification range is 4x to 16x on a 6.4” (diagonal) screen. Users can quickly switch between full color, black and white, and reverse black and white modes. While reading, the Traveller rolls easily across the reading material, and the screen tilts to provide optimum viewing angles. For writing, the Traveller can be opened to an upright position. In addition to a carrying case, the Traveller comes with a rechargeable battery that provides up to 2 hours continuous use. Inventory code: RD-OPTTR; Cost: $1,895.00; Optelec - 800-828-1056; www.optelec.com. Prisma Vision Portable Prisma Vision is a mini desktop-style, portable, battery-powered video magnifier, with a 7” color flat screen display. There is a tilt stand that allows for a comfortable reading angle and distance. The camera offers from 2x to 17x magnification, and the display features four levels of brightness and backlight adjustment. Users can choose between full color, positive, or negative viewing, as well as other text and background color selections to accommodate users with contrast sensitive low vision. The built-in rechargeable battery lasts for about 1.5 to 2 hours of continuous use. The total weight of the unit is 7.5 lbs. Inventory code: RD-PRISPOR; Cost: $2,990.00; Freedom Vision – 800-961-1334; www.freedomvision.net. Merlin Merlin is a full-color, auto-focus, desktop video magnifier. Images can be viewed in color, black and white, high contrast positive or high contrast negative. Tactile buttons enable user to switch viewing modes, locate objects and pre-set buttons to favorite settings. Merlin magnifies images 4x to 50x on a 14” monitor and newsprint up to 2” high. Inventory code: RD-MR. Cost: $1,495.00. Merlin MRVR with Voice Activation is also available. This feature allows the viewer to use simple voice commands to change the magnification or viewing mode. Inventory code: RD-MRVR; Cost: $1,645.00; Enhanced Vision, 888-811-3161; www.enhancedvision.com. Olympia The Olympia is a portable video magnifier with a wide screen view and tilted screen to make it easier to read and write in a variety of circumstances. The magnification range is 3.3x to 26x, which includes magnification for viewing and writing modes. There is a regular viewing option (for viewing photos) or wide screen for reading text. The display can be viewed in full color, positive, and negative text, and the brightness is adjustable. This unit measures 8.2” long x 5.4” wide x 4.25” high, and weighs 2.5 lbs. The rechargeable battery lasts from 3 to 6 hours. . Inventory code: RD-OLY; Cost: $2,495.00; Telesensory – 800-804-8004, info@telesensory.com, www.telesensory.com. ********** We need your help to… Name this newletter! We would like a new name for this Newsletter to go along with its new look! Please submit your suggestions to Sandra McNally at 215-204-3370, or smcnally@temple.edu. The deadline for submissions is Monday, July 22, 2003. We look forward to hearing from you! ********** Save the Date: November 11, 2003Helping Tools for People with Mental Retardation: A Train-the-Trainers Workshop at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, PA. See next issue for more details. ********** Related Websites www.afb.org/CareerConnect/users/technology.asp -- American Foundation for the Blind. Descriptions of types of technology for people who are blind and people with low vision, and how they work can be found here. www.sightconnection.com -- This site is operated by Community Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted, located in Seattle, WA. This catalog not only has standard items, but also some unique ones. There is also basic information about different types of vision loss. www.rfbd.org -- Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic is a non-profit volunteer organization, and is the nation’s educational library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia, or other physical disability. Their mission is to create opportunities for individual success by providing, and promoting the effective use of, accessible educational materials. www.magnifiers.org -- Information about screen magnification software, text-to-speech software, and much more. There is a download area with trial versions of many popular versions of software for people with blindness or low vision. Please send us your favorite AT websites. We are always on the lookout for new ones! ********** Here’s a Tip Did you know...wrapping an electrical cord around an object when repacking increases the chances the wires within the cord will break? This is particularly risky when your cord is thin (like the cords for adapted toys and switches and battery chargers) and even riskier when the object around which you are wrapping the cord has an edge! What you should do is loop the cord gently around itself, then fasten the loops with a twist-tie or rubber band. ********** Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library Institute on Disabilities Temple University 423 Ritter Hall Annex Philadelphia, PA 19122 Call toll-free: 877-PA AT LEND (voice/TTY) www.disabilities.temple.edu/atlend E-mail: atlend@temple.edu This publication is available in alternate formats, by request. Photos courtesy of the manufacturers. PA’s Assistive Technology Lending Library is funded by the Commonwealth of PA, with partial support from the US Dept. of Education (through PA’s Initiative on Assistive Technology) and through the contributions of AT vendors, manufacturers, and users of the Lending Library. Next Issue: PDAs and Note Takers