Document Cameras
What is a document camera?
A document camera is the modern version of the overhead projector - only without the transparencies and bulky machine. Where the overhead projector was heavy, and required a cart to move around, a document camera is small and weighs very little. Many even fold up and can be carried easily in your bag or briefcase.
Overall, these products are a modified camera, designed to face downwards. Whatever you want to show on your screen, whether it is a piece of paper, or a three-dimensional object, you simply place underneath the camera, and it is sent to your projector. It’s that simple. Many also have both adjustable necks and focusing to allow you greater flexibility with your presentation.
How do you want to set it up?
Not all document cameras are used in the same way. One major factor to consider is how you are going to use this – plugged into a projector first, or your computer?
Some document cameras have video connections, such as HDMI and VGA, and can plug directly into a projector. In this scenario, you would not need to use a computer – you can simply hook the two devices together and begin presenting.
Other document cameras do not have video connections, and must first be connected to a computer via USB. The computer receives the video signal from the camera, and then sends it to your projector.
Essentially, these are two different ways of accomplishing the same goal, and one is not necessarily better than the other. It just depends on your situation, and whether or not you would have a computer with you at the time.
You can save pictures and video too
Many document cameras include software packages which allow you to record still pictures, as well as video onto your computer. If you are conducting a class and have students absent, they can simply be emailed what was missed. Some cameras even have internal memory slots, enabling you to save content onto removable storage devices for use at a later time.