Creative – Webcam Live! Ultra for Notebooks - £59

The Creative® WebCam Live! Ultra for Notebooks is the high-end choice for
notebook users. Its advanced CCD sensor ensures maximum quality and
supports video resolutions up to VGA (640x480) and stills up to 1.3
megapixels with interpolation. High-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity enables
high-resolution video to be saved to the hard disk at up to 30fps, and the
ultra-wide-angle lens captures 50 percent more content than standard lenses
- complementing the Multi-Person Smart Face Tracking software which
recognises and tracks multiple users automatically. With 4x digital zoom, a
bundled Creative headset and easy, secure attachment to notebook displays,
it's great for instant messaging with video and voice.
• High-quality CCD sensor for vibrant colours and sharper, clearer images. Native VGA resolution
(640x480) and stills interpolated up to 1.3 megapixels.
• Ultra-wide-angle lens (76°) and Multi-Person Smart Face Tracking technology capture more content,
recognise and track multiple users automatically.
• High-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity enables high-resolution video to be saved to the hard disk at up to
30fps.
• 4x digital zoom.
• Power grip secures the WebCam to notebook display.
Features & Specifications
• 640x480 CCD sensor
• 640x480 resolution video at 30 fps , 1.3 Megapixel photos (software enhanced)
• Certified high-speed USB 2.0 (compatible with USB 1.1)
• Smart face tracking with 4X digital zoom
• Manual focus ring

 

Logitech – QuickCam Pro 5000 - £69

Combining a digital zoom, built-in microphone and high-quality VGA CCD sensor,
the QuickCam Pro 5000 is a good choice for video power users. Now you can create
amazing videos and shoot 1.3 megapixel still photos with ease. And if you have a
flat-panel monitor, the new bonus clip has a flexible back so you shape it to match
your monitor's profile.
• Shoot 1.3 megapixel photos (software enhanced) and high-quality videos
• Digital zoom
• Built-in microphone – but beware this is very sensitive and should only be used where the room
acoustics are very good!
• Includes bonus flat panel clip
• Make live video calls, email video and photos easily
• Works with both USB 2.0 and 1.1
• Video capture: Up to 640 x 480 pixels (VGA CCD), Photo capture: Up to 1280 x 960 pixels
• Frame rate: Up to 30 frames per second

 

Logitech QuickCam Fusion - £75

True 1.3 Megapixel Sensor with RightLight™ technology captures finer, more
accurate details, achieving superior quality videos and pictures in low light
situations. The high-speed USB 2.0 interface provides the fastest interface for
maximum frames-per-second video.
• Digital Zoom
• Flat Panel Clip Included
• Intelligent Face-Tracking
• Built-in Microphone Headset Included but beware this is very sensitive and should only be used where
the room acoustics are very good!
• True 1.3 Megapixel Sensor
• High-speed USB 2.0

 

Headset – suitable for personal / mobile presenter use

Altec AHS201
MONAURAL OVER-THE-HEAD

Altec Lansing PC interactive headsets offer superb sound
and rugged reliability. Whether you use them for PC
interactive gaming, Internet voice chats, or speech
recognition, these comfortable headsets provide crystalclear
sound. You can even use them with your telephone
(adapter required). With stereo and mono options, we
offer the right headset for your needs. Best of all, they’re
comfortable and lightweight enough to wear every day.
Product Specifications
• Quality 32mm neodymium driver delivers a full, rich sound.
• Noise-cancelling microphone helps eliminate background noise.
• Handy in-line volume control regulates audio level.
• Microphone volume controller (High- Low-Mute) maximizes communication control
Price = £12
An alternative headset is the Plantronics Audio 20 – similar price

 

BoardRoom Webcams

Sony – EVI-D70P (PAL) - £730 (approx)

When used with Osprey video capture boards or an external USB2.0 frame-grabber
(see page 4 – miscellaneous) the EVI-D70P is ideal for lecture room/boardroom Video
Conferencing, video/audio/image capture, and streaming Internet video. Available in
PAL and a choice of black (EVI-D70P) or white (EVI-D70PW), the units can be
remotely controlled via a RS-232C or RS-422 connection to a PC or via the handheld
IR controller.
The EVI-D70P combines a high quality colour video camera with the flexibility of a
remote pan/tilt/zoom operation, all in a compact easy-to-use package. Incorporating
an 18x optical zoom lens, these cameras allow a user to zoom in on a small or distant
object with exceptional clarity. The EVI-D70P is equipped with a variety of convenient
features such as auto ICR function, Alarm function and RS-232C/422 serial control,
making them ideal for any remote shooting applications such as distance learning,
indoor and outdoor security systems, courtrooms, event venues, concert halls, and
more
Ceiling/Desktop Mountable
The EVI-D70P is at the same time ceiling and desktop/tripod mountable. This capability is unique in the Pan Tilt
Zoom market. For lecture room use it is worth considering the wide angle lens add-on.
Six position pre-set & Auto Tracking
Six pre-set positions can be programmed into the camera's memory. Users can pre-define subjects to be
continually tracked. Four modes for pre-defining a subject are available - pan & tilt, auto zoom, auto exposure
and motion detection.
RS-232C/RS-422 serial port
The RS-232C serial port allows the camera to be controlled from remote locations up to 15 meters, whereas
with the RS-422 also, the camera to be controlled from remote locations up to 1200 meters.
Plug and Play product: Various applications
Simple installation and operation, together with remote access control over the Internet, gives users flexibility
and creativity for many creative applications.
Video Signal PAL
Image Sensor 1/4"Exview HAD Colour CCD
Effective Pixels 752 (H) x 585 (V)
H. Resolution 460 TV lines
Lens X18 Power Zoom, f=4.1mm to 73.8 mm, F1.8 to F3.0
H. Angle of View 2.7° to 48 degrees
Shortest Subject Distance 10mm (wide end), 800mm (Tele end)
Minimum Illumination 1lx (F1.4)
Auto Exposure Auto/Manual/Priority AE, Exposure compensation, Back-light compensation
Shutter Speed 1 to 1/10,000 s
Gain Auto/ATW/Indoor/Outdoor/One Push/Manual
White Balance ATW/One Push Hold, Indoor Preset, Outdoor Preset (VISCA TM control)
S/N Ratio more than 50dB
Pan/Tilt Pan: -170° to +170° (Max. speed: 100°/s), Tilt: -30° to 90° (Max. speed: 90°/s)
Video Output VBS, Y/C
Control Terminal RS-232C (8 pin mini DIN)/RS-422 (9-pin) control (VISCA)
Baud rate: 9.6 Kb/s, 38.4 Kb/s
Power Requirement DC 10.8 to 13.2 V Power Consumption 12 W
Operating Temperature 0 to 40 ° C (32 to 40°F)
Storage Temperature -20 to 60 ° C (-4 to 140°F)
Dimensions (W x H x D) 132 x 144 x 144 mm
Mass 950 g

 

BoardRoom / Seminar Room / Handsfree Microphones

Audio Technica microphone & Wideband Solutions’ Acoustic Echo
canceller / mixer – Approx £850 (for both)

To enable a group to participate the video is enlarged by a projector or monitor. In-band
audio requires acoustic echo cancellation, noise reduction (to remove PC and projector
fan noise) and automatic level adjustment for different talkers.
The Audio Technica microphone is designed to work with the WC301 Acoustic Echo
canceller mixer. The connectors on the microphone were altered from the original design
so that the mic gets power from the WC301 mixer. This is a special combination and
other non-powered mics will not work in this set up.
The Audio Technica microphone is omni-directional and the sensitivity for a single
mic can cover a conference room table of 10 ft long x 5 ft wide. A larger area, for
example a 20 ft long by 6 ft table/stage area would require 2 mics. Please contact
us for pricing details on the WC301 mixer, Audio Technica mics and any accessories
needed for your particular set up and we will provide details of the UK supplier.
Additionally, a wireless mic can be used as a mobile Q&A mic for an auditorium.

 

Phoenix Audio Technologies’ DUET PCS – Approx £100

The “Solo Acoustic” echo cancellation mic is a USB type microphone. The Solo mic
offers a connector where speakers are attached. This means the Solo requires only
a single dedicated USB port and no sound card.
This solution is ideal for customers who need a hands free desktop or for small
conference rooms measuring no more than 15 ft x 10 ft. Based on testing, the
sensitivity of the microphone has a range of up to 15ft but 10ft is the recommended
distance because a user's voice pitch may not be loud enough to activate the
microphone.
The Duet generates clear communication through proprietary Acoustic Echo Cancellation, Noise Suppression,
and equalizer algorithms embedded within the product. The Duet provides 360° room coverage so more than
one person can participate in an online conference, Headset-Free and Handset-Free. Loudspeaker output
(always a problem with laptops) is sufficient for larger offices and even medium sized conference rooms.
NOTE:
In general, e/pop Web Conferencing software can use any video source with a Windows DirectX/DirectShow
device driver, v9.0 or later . If you can "see" your video device with the Windows scanner and camera test
wizard, e/pop can select the camera, and you can use it during your next conference. You can even have
multiple Windows video devices, and change from one to the other during a conference!
We often get specific video requirements such as: Can I use my video camera? Medical video device? Existing
conference room camera? And so on. Mostly, the answer is yes. Many of these devices have a standard
video output (RGB or S-Video Out). Standard video is easily input to a Windows PC using a USB converter (£50
approx) or PC video capture card (£100 approx). These adapters (and DirectShow device driver) convert SVideo
to a format that the Windows operating system and e/pop software can use.

Video to USB Converter

There are many popular sources of video-to-USB adaptors. Warning! For best results, be sure to select a USB 2.0 device. Also note that most USB converters have a maximum of 352 x 288 pixels (or 320x240) video capture quality limitation.

The Dazzle DVC90 (up to 720x576 PAL) and costs about £50.

An alternative is the Plextor PXTV402UT3UK PC Video Capture Card

There are many popular sources of video capture cards. A PCI bus adapter card, with Windows DirectShow
device driver typically provides the best performance, least load on the CPU, and avoids the USB 1.0/2.0, and
half/full-screen limitations of typical USB converters.

We suggest using the Osprey-210 Analog Capture
Card (approx cost £100) or better with whatever video camera your company decides on using.