--- Forwarded Message from "Gus Leonard" <[log in to unmask]> ---
>Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 13:51:19 -0800
>Subject: Re: #7746 Web cams for Windows XP lab
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum
<[log in to unmask]>
>From: "Gus Leonard" <[log in to unmask]>
>References: <[log in to unmask]>
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
>We are in the process of researching web cams for our lab. ASL would use
>the cams for several different purposes: 1) in order to do lab assignments
>(they are the only ones that don't do them) and 2) in order to do their
>required video taped projects each semester. French, Italian and Spanish
>would also have use for them, but ASL is our priority at the moment.
>
>I am looking for some advice for any good cams that could be secured somehow
>with our setup. The best ones that I have seen were in Mac labs. Ours
>would have to be secured somehow to the monitors or stations with the
>ability to tilt up and down depending on the height of the person sitting in
>front of the computer.
>
>Would you have any recommendations? Thanks in advance. John.
John,
We have found the Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 to be the most versatile webcam, as
it tends to have drivers that work with the versions of PC and Mac; compatible
with Flash Communicator/Breeze and other web video chat tools; can be used to
capture
video with Windows MovieMaker on XP (not with iMovie unless you convert the
captured files for editing); etc.
More info at:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2204,CONTENTID=504
2
For tie-down I bend the USB cable and thread that eye through a cheap washer
from the hardware store. The resulting loop gets added to the lockdown cables I
already have to the computer (same treatment goes for headsets, mice and
keyboards). Desk
tripods or inverted pickle buckets complete the package.
I bought 4 iSight webcams to use for our ASL courses too, but they didn't work
in the PC lab, so I didn't buy any more, but they're fun for conferencing around
the lab and other locations. We'll see what the next version of iChat brings in
the
Spring.
The other option I explored was to get some Mini-DV cameras, and this has turned
out to work best for our lab of sign-slingers. I have 10 set up in a 24 station
iMac lab on desktop or floor tripods with a FireWire cable running to the
computer for
direct capture to HD. That way students don't use expensive Mini-DV tapes for
their projects. I bought a bunch of lockdown cables from
http://www.ddsecurity.com/ that came with a lockslot that could be glued to the
cameras (it's the clicklock, no
longer mentioned on their site). Then a laptop lock ties the camera to the desk
with a 6 foot range.
An added bonus to the mini-DV cams is that you will have extra hardware for lab
users to checkout for other language projects or that faculty member traveling
abroad to shoot some video clips for her courses...!
I like the Canon ZR series the best, though the tape chassis is located in an
awkward spot if you are shooting to tape on a tripod. The new ZR90 comes with a
wide-angle adaptor, so if the workstations are cramped it still allows the ASL
students to
film their full signing space (our instructors want to see from the beltline to
about 1 fist over the head).
If you want more details I can shoot some fotos and post to the web. Good luck!
Gus
_______________________________________
Gus Leonard
Language Laboratory Coordinator
School for World Languages & Cultures $F0 Building 48-119 $F0 California State
University, Monterey Bay $F0 100 Campus Center $F0 Seaside, CA 93955 $F0 Email:
[log in to unmask] $F0 (831) 582-4446 $F0 http://LanguageLab.csumb.edu
President, SouthWest Association for Language Learning Technology $F0
http://www.humanities.uci.edu/hirc/SWALLT/
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most
amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. -Edward Abbey
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