VideoLabs FlexCam iCam Technical Information download pdf (Page 15)

ever, plan ahead; future requirements should be compatible with decisions made

in the short term.

• For images that are to be recorded for future use and/or manipulated, digital

images are required. A camera with only an analogue output requires a computer

with a video-capture card or an external capture device. It is simpler to use a

digital camera directly connected to a computer. Cameras with both analogue

and digital outputs are available. (It is possible to record images using a VCR,

but these cannot be manipulated as with digitally-captured images.)

b) Identify existing equipment.

• If you already have a camera, check whether it can be connected to the chosen

display equipment and that you can obtain the appropriate connectors. There is a

wide variety of these; see section 16.6.4 (Video connections and adaptors).

• If you already have a good arrangement for displaying images, it might

be best to choose a camera that can be connected to this reliably and easily. (See

section 16.6.2 (Features of cameras).

c) New equipment: Decide which type of camera and display equipment

would meet most of your needs.

• For advice on camera features to consider, see section 16.6.2.

• For advice on analogue or digital displays, see section 16.6.3.

• For advice on choosing a flexcam, web cam or camera for microscope work, see

sections 16.6.5-16.6.8.

While it is useful to compare the specifications of different products, it is difficult to

make a definite choice on this basis alone, since there are so many variables. The

quality and compatibility of equipment can only really be determined by direct observ-

ation. Contacting other schools that already have suitable equipment can be very

profitable. If possible, borrow samples and see how they perform together.

16.6.2 Features of cameras

Outputs and

pixels

Some cameras do not have the necessary output to enable them to display images

in real time; the images need to be uploaded to a computer before being displayed.

This is a particular issue in video microscopy; see Considerations in setting up a

separate microscope + camera for video microscopy in section 16.6.8.

Digital cameras that are primarily designed to take still images which have to be

uploaded to a computer or other digital device for subsequent viewing can be used

to preserve images for later use. Many can also take short video clips. However, if

the images cannot be displayed externally while they are being taken, they are

not suitable for direct use in front of a class. This limitation needs to be noted,

especially if a commercial model is being considered.

It is important to note that the detail of images captured by an electronic camera

will be limited by the nature of its sensor and also by the quality of the display.

Each is made up of an array of cells called pixels; roughly speaking, details can

only be separated if their images are on separate pixels. A typical, lower-specific-

ation camera sensor contains 250-300k pixels arranged in approximately 500 rows

of 500 pixels; monitor screens have similar resolutions (see section 16.6.3).

Microphones

An integral microphone, which captures sound, is provided in some cameras. With

this facility, a commentary can be added to images, and this might add authentic-

ity and drama to some demonstrations. However, any extra cost might not be

worthwhile unless these or other facilities such as video conferencing are likely to

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