Document Cameras Tests and Evaluation Tests were performed on six document cameras provided for the EOUSA/TTD Video Laboratory. The document cameras tested were: - Elmo EV-308 - Elmo EV-400 - Canon RE-650 - Sony VID-100 - DOAR (Elmo EV-368) - CLI SuperCam These cameras were setup side-by-side in a classroom environment for evaluation. The following tests were designed to evaluate the capability of the document cameras in providing clarity of images, capabilities or limits on viewing text and documents, and the ease of use. The following tests were performed: Test 1 - 11" x 8-1/2" page of text viewing (landscape) Test 2 - 8-1/2" x 11" page of text viewing (portrait) Test 3 - Transparency capability & clarity Test 4 - Film Negative capability & clarity Test 5 - Slide viewing capability & clarity Test 6 - Drawings (or graphics) images clarity, color Test 7 - 3-D (small object) capability & clarity Test 8 - 3-D (building model) capability & clarity, detail Two other tests originally scheduled to be performed were not completed. These tests were for signature and fingerprint detail & clarity. As testing progressed, it was determined that the cameras compared very close to each other and presented nearly identical clarity, detail, and results. Each of the document cameras, with the exception of the CLI Supercam, has the capability to change the current lens with another more or less powerful lens if required. Though the above mentioned two tests were not performed in the side-by-side testing, each camera was used to view a signature and fingerprint. As a casual observation, the 8x power lens showed great quality and detail. The Canon RE-650 document camera had a 12x power lens which provided even greater closeup detail. Most systems come with the 8x power lens as a standard. Text viewing or text reading capability on screen were the most crucial tests performed. Since U.S. Attorneys dealing primarily in normal printed and written text, it was important to see each camera operate with an 8-1/2" x 11" page of text. The results of these tests were identical for all cameras. Typical text font is 10pt or 12pt. Handwritten text is similar in size. The tests indicate 14pt text at the very minimum, preferably 18pt is the optimal way to display an 8-1/2" x 11" page of text legibly. The expectation was to view an entire page of text legibly, in a manner similar to what is seen on an overhead projector. None of the cameras produced equivalent results. Therefore, when viewing normal text, the page has to be positioned and the document camera has to be zoomed in for it to be readable. Use of a stronger auxillary lens would increase the size of the printed material and make it more readable but it also would decrease the area of the displayed material in the same manner as enlarging portions of the document through use of the zoom controls on the cameras. Once again, 14pt to 18pt text on a page should be used in order to be legible without manipulation of the page. Generally, all of the document cameras were identical when it came to text viewing, however when it came to colors, the cameras varied. The camera in the Elmo EV-400 excelled in color detail. All cameras showed the colors however in the wide-angle views (or the full page views) all except the Elmo EV-400 showed red to be dark or black. The Sony VID-100 did pick up the red, however it had problems with green as did the rest of the cameras. The problems were associated with a wide-angle view or full page, colored text, and colored fine lines. Color images or the graphic images in the transparency and graphic tests appeared to show the colors effectively with all the cameras. Differences were noted when performing closeup views. The 12x lens on the Canon RE-650 provided the sharpest image views, but the Elmo EV-400, the Sony VID-100, and the DOAR Visual Presenter (Elmo EV-368) were more brilliant in colors and produced near the same sharpness. The CLI SuperCam was good with colors. The Elmo EV-308 didn't perform as well in this area of testing. Vendors and Manufacturers point out that versatility of the document cameras is a big selling point. The document camera is routinely presented as a device that can view text, graphic images, objects, transparencies, film negatives, pictures, slides, etc. With a document camera, a user may not need additional types of periphial equipment. The versatility of the document camera was proven in testing, however experience is the key in using the document camera effectively. Also, not all document cameras can perform all the previous mentioned functions. The transparency test, the film negative test, and the slide test require a backlighted source on the stand in order to view the image. The Elmo EV-400 and the DOAR Visual Presenter (Elmo EV-368) were the only document cameras with a light source large enough to cover an entire 11" x 8-1/2" sheet. The Sony VID-100 was slightly smaller but could effectively get an entire image into the light. The Canon RE-650 as tested and as purchased does not have a backlighted source. Canon sells separately a "light box" which is used to provide lighting for transparencies or other materials. The Elmo EV-308 document camera only has a 6"x6" light source. This was found in testing to be very ineffective. The CLI SuperCam does not come with that capability, but like the Canon RE-650, a light box can be purchased. Next, the 3-D object tests were performed. The small object test is simple because the object was set on the document camera stand under the normal position of the stand's camera. The small object 3-D capability is very effective and tested with high quality results. On the 3-D building model test, the document stand was no longer capable of holding the model. This is where expertise becomes important, utilizing the ability to turn the camera to view in front or on the wall, a larger object is capable of being viewed. During this test, the model was set on a table in front of the document camera, then the camera is rotated to view the model in front. This resolved the size issue and effectively projected the model and detail. Again, the 3-D view was highly effective. Detail and clarity was exceptional in most of the cameras. The Sony VID-100 excelled in this test. The unique camera "torut" allowed for movement of the camera in all directions and allowed for the camera to pan from one side to another as well as up and down. All the other cameras could only move up and down. The Canon RE-650 showed quality detail, however it could not show the model view without the room lights turned on and the camera had to be held in position for the view as it could not become stationary in the necessary position. The Canon RE-650 lost the light necessary once it was directed away from the stand, even with the room lights up. The Canon was the only document camera tested where this happened. The other cameras were able to function on the stand and view the model with or without the room lights. The 12x power lens again showed greater detail on closeup views. Finally, overall use was evaluated. As primarily novice users, we found the Sony VID-100 gave the greatest overall ease of use capability with the Elmo EV-400 coming in very close while providing better camera quality in all the tests. The DOAR Visual Presenter came next as it does not have autofocus capability. After that, the ranking is Canon RE-650, the CLI SuperCam, and the Elmo EV-308. The Canon document camera lost ground in versatility as its stand or camera arm was rigid and not flexible. The eight tests performed showed the more flexible or versatile the document camera, the more it excelled in ease of use. The CLI SuperCam was extremely flexible, however like the Elmo EV-308, the controls are on top of the camera. The controls being on the camera instead of in front make it hard to operate the document camera during a presentation. Overall, the document cameras could perform in the tests, the cameras alone weren't as important a factor in operation as the entire package of the document camera and stand proved to be. The fact normal text can not be presented any differently was a major concern as a result of testing. Please see the document camera table below. ================= SKIP ============== Document cameras were tested and evaluated in the lab for the ability to compliment the VTC system in a videoconference. The document cameras were tested for ease of use, clarity, versatility, and most importantly, capability to see normal text on 8-1/2"x11" documents. (See section 5 for list of tests performed.) The tests proved invaluable as the ability to read normal text was "unobtainable" on all cameras. The manufacturers and vendors confirm this finding as the technology does not support the capability. There are physical limitations to the cameras and to NTSC. The users wanted a capability similar to using a standard overhead projector. Alternative methods to broadcasting normal text is to either reformat the text for 14pt or higher fonts, or use the zoom capabilities and manipulate the document. The successful tests showed ease of use, clarity, and versatility. Two document cameras excelled above the other cameras, the Elmo EV-400 and the Sony VID-100. A third document camera, the DOAR Visual Presenter (or Elmo EV-368) was a close second, but did not have autofocus capability. The Elmo EV-400 was strong in camera operation and viewing colors, and the Sony VID-100 was the most versatile document camera because the stand and camera moves in any direction. The Sony also had a built-on close up lens whereas the Elmo had to be moved in or out with the camera mount arm. The Canon RE-650 has great camera quality and is the lowest priced, but lacks versatility.