Camera choices
Tue, 08/21/2007 - 8:54am — Ed McGowan
I have read through the video broadcast strategy posted recently and had a question regarding cameras.
Has anyone had experience with broadcasting video using a USB camera with pan/tilt/zoom capabilities? If you are familiar with Polycom's video, we are looking for something just as simple. Rooms are approximately 30 wide x 60 deep. If the best solution is a 2nd computer, a manually-operated camera/tripod, taking a snapshot, then I am also curious about the choice of video hardware.
RE: Camera choices
In lieu of going to a video camera or camcorder, I have found the Logitech QuickCam OrbitAF to be a high effective camera w/ a built-in mic. It uses an USB port and works well with Adobe Connect. The software is easy to install and give a resoultion of up to 8 mega pixels.
For full details visit http://tinyurl.com/2at3ts
I have been using one for several months and is really reliable.
This may be what you are looking for at a reasonable price.
John
High-end Connect Set-up
The only high-end setup that might be close to what you're looking for is in Health and Human Development, East 101. Suzanne McBride initially set up this room to incorporate Adobe Connect and the Polycom. However, they didn't use a high end camera in this setup--they used a simple Logitech camera to capture the group in the room. You may want to contact Suzanne for more details. Suzanne no longer works for Health & Human Development, but she is willing to share how they setup the room.
Has anyone purchased or have
Has anyone purchased or have new recommendations to cameras used with Adobe Connect? I am thinking of installing one in the class room 20 x 25 room. The instructor would like to have the ability of zoomed in and wide angle view. Their thinking is that it should follow their movements. I do not know if that is possible unless you have a person controlling it.
RE: Has anyone purchased or have
You may want to contact Media Technology Services at http://www.libraries.psu.edu/mtss/ I know they have prepared several auditoriums (i.e. such as Foster Auditorium in Pattee Library. The Poly Com camera outputs are not directly compatible for computer input. They have a range of cameras. In any case for a room the size you described a surveillance type camera might be the best solution.
Camera Choices - camcorder source
Penn States own Media & Technology Support Services (MTSS) http://www.libraries.psu.edu/mtss/equipment/purchaseVideoCamera.html has a large selection of recommended cameras available at resonable prices. They fully test them before recommending and are able to help you determine which one will best suit your needs. Since they have special arrangements with many manufactureers, they can often save you big $$$. The cameras I recommend are in the Sony line, as they have proven to be very reliable and easy to maintain.
Camera Choices - Remote pan & zoom
I researched this several years ago and came up with a solution called Trackerpod by Eagletron. http://www.trackercam.com/TCamWeb/productdes.htm It is similiar to what secruity systems use in operation. This comes with its own software and will work well with Adobe Connect. If you choose to use another computer for this purpose (highly recommended if you are pressenting) it can be remotly controlled. In case of say a classroom or conference room, I would suggest going to a little heavy duty model other that than the one for the webcam as even the smallest video camera is heavier than a webcam. This is newer model than I tested, but the Company is very reliable. If you scroll down through the page listed above you will see several options available. The pricing is very resonable. I have mounted the unit on a tripod and it worked well.
We are also looking for a camera like this
The Instructional Designers' group in Education Technology Services is also looking for this type of camera. It would be nice if it had a remote control to move the camera so someone didn't have to manually point the camera at whoever is speaking. I know there are additional pieces of equipment that can convert the camera jack to USB, but, when looking on the Internet for a camera that would do what we want, there don't seem to be many affordable choices.
Any suggestions and information about experiences would be appreciated.