Technology

What is a video magnifier? – technology information sheet

Summary: This information sheet highlights video magnifiers (or CCTVs) which are a magnifying aid for people with some useful vision. Printed material and objects can be placed under a camera and the magnified image is displayed on a screen.

• What is a video magnifier?
• Desktop video magnifiers
• Portable video magnifiers
• Pocket video magnifiers
• Video magnifiers that plug into a television
• PC sharing video magnifiers
• Lecture room or classroom systems
• Case study - Gemma
• Video magnifiers - availability and cost
• Where can I buy a video magnifier?

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What is a video magnifier?

A CCTV or video magnifier is a simple way of producing large text, images and maps for people with some useful vision. Printed material and objects can be placed under a camera and the magnified image is displayed on a television screen or computer monitor. They are mostly used for reading, but can also be used for writing and other activities and to view objects at a distance such as a board in a school classroom. There are a large number of different types of models to choose from and they vary widely in the features offered.

Video Magnifiers are not a replacement for hand magnifiers, but do have real advantages for some tasks. These include the ability to vary magnification levels, to get very high levels of magnification, to get a comfortable reading distance, and to vary reading distance. Many people find they can read more comfortably and therefore for longer periods with a video magnifier than with a hand magnifier. While there is not absolute way of knowing whether a video magnifier will help a particular individual without them trying one for themselves, as a general guide if someone can read the largest banner headlines in a newspaper then a video magnifier is likely to be of use to them.

The video magnifier image can be black and white or full colour. Many black and white systems offer the option of switching the foreground and background colours between dark text on a light background and light text on a dark background (reversing polarity). In addition they may offer a choice of foreground and background colours. As well as the default choice of colour image view, most colour image video magnifiers offer a choice of foreground and background colours, and mono view.

Desktop video magnifiers

The most common type of video magnifier is intended for use on a desk or work surface, so is called a desktop video magnifier. Most desktop video magnifiers have a camera, which is in a fixed position some distance above the desktop. The printed material is placed on the reading table, which can be moved left to right and backwards and forwards.

The image is viewed on an integrated monitor and can be adjusted for contrast, magnification and colour to suit the user. A few desktop video magnifiers have a camera on an anglepoise type stem, instead so there is some flexibility of position. Desktop magnifiers can offer a magnification range as low as 1.5 times and as high as 60 times, although the range is usually narrower than this.

Portable video magnifiers

Portable CCTVs, intended for the more mobile user, are being developed all the time. In some cases, the camera unit is portable, but a standard monitor/TV screen is required to display the image, in other cases the CCTV may have it’s own small integrated viewing screen or may be connected to a laptop. Most portable video magnifiers, and many video magnifiers that use a television, have a hand-held camera similar to a computer mouse.

The camera is placed directly on the page, or other object such as a medicine bottle, and moved across it to read the material underneath. There are a few video magnifiers with other camera and display options. A head mounted camera exists, and there is a portable video magnifier where the user wears a pair of spectacles on which the image is displayed.

Some portable units have fixed magnification levels, whilst others offer full user control, although the range of magnification on portable units is more limited than a desktop CCTV.

Pocket video magnifiers

These are pocket or handbag sized CCTVs designed for you to carry around with you at all times. They are useful for reading labels in shops, notices, bills, menus and magazines whilst travelling. They have a 10cm integrated screen and are available at up to 5x or 7x magnification depending on the product. Magnification is increased by moving the CCTV closer to the object. There are two black and white and two colour products available.

Video magnifiers that plug into a television

Video magnifiers that plug into a television tend to be cheaper than other options as you buy only the camera. This is of course assuming you already have the television and are prepared for it to be used at times for video magnification. CCTVs that display the image on a television are usually in the form of a handheld camera that rests on the paper and then moves across the paper or object, or it may look like a lamp that can be angled to sit above the document. The magnification range for these cameras tends to be more limited and sometimes depend on the size of television that the image is displayed on. Many of these units are portable.

PC sharing video magnifiers

A few video magnifier systems will link to a PC, allowing the screen image to be shared between the video magnifier picture and the computer display. These video magnifiers are often referred to as "screen sharing" or "split-screen" video magnifiers.

Lecture room or classroom systems

These systems provide a video magnifier with two integrated cameras. A distance camera for looking at the board and another for the student to view what they are working with on their desk.

Case study - Gemma

Gemma is partially sighted and during literacy hour she is unable to see the big book used by the rest of the class so she has her own copy, which she is able to read with the help of a desktop video magnifier. This offers her independent control over the size and contrast of the image, and enables her to join in with group reading sessions and discussion. It is important that she has access to the same reading material as her peers and is able to enjoy the same colour pictures.

Video magnifiers - availability and cost

It is strongly recommended that you get some hands-on experience of using a video magnifier before making a purchase. To fully appreciate the features and differences between different makes, models and styles of video magnifier, it is a good idea to try out several products, however it is not generally necessary to research every available video magnifier.

Many suppliers offer demonstrations of video magnifiers at their showrooms, and at exhibitions held around the country throughout the year. Some video magnifier suppliers will also come to your home to demonstrate the product and may allow you to have it on short trial basis for a small cost. There is an annual exhibition of access technology called Sight Village that is held during July in Birmingham where many video magnifiers can be compared.

Depending on what they have available, a local resource centre may also be able to demonstrate a video magnifier. Many local societies also have resource centres that have video magnifiers for demonstration. For information on your nearest resource centre or local society, please contact the RNIB Technology Information Service on 0870 013 9555.

There is a difference in price between video magnifiers that plug into a television and desktop video magnifiers and portable machines with an integrated screen. The price depends on the quality of the image, ease of use, flexibility of magnification, size of the screen (if one is included) and the number of additional features. There are too many video magnifiers to list all of the products that are available. Hopefully after reading this information sheet you will have an idea of they type of CCTV you would like, you can then contact suppliers for demonstrations.

Desktop video magnifiers

Monochrome video magnifiers cost between £1,000 - £2,000. Colour video magnifiers range in price between £1,400 - £3,000. Some of the popular range of desktop CCTV’s include: the Magnilink range from Professional Vision Services, the Smartview range from HumanWare, the Clearview range from Optelec and the Reinecker range from Visualeyes.

Picture of a Smartview

Portable video magnifiers

They range in price from £330 for a black and white version to £1,600 for a colour magnifier. Examples of CCTVs with an integrated screen include the Liberty from HumanWare, the EeZee range from Videospec and the Traveller from Optelec.

Picture of the Traveller

Examples of CCTVs which use glasses include the Flipper Port and Maxport from Visionary Imaging Systems and Optima Low Vision Services.

Examples of CCTVs which connect to a laptop include the PC-Eye from New Vision, the Portis from Visualeyes and the MagniLink Swallow from Professional Vision Services.

Pocket video magnifiers

They range in price from £410 for a black and white version to £495 for a colour version. Examples of the black and white versions include the PocketViewer from HumanWare and RNIB and the Pocket Reader from VideoSpec. Examples of the colour products include the Quicklook from VisualEyes and the Compact from Optelec.

Picture of the PocketViewer

Video magnifiers that plug into a TV

They range in price between £100 - £2,000. Examples of the lower priced range of CCTVs which can be connected to a television include the Monomouse and Prisma from RNIB, the TVi from Visualeyes, the Max from Optima Low Vision Services the Colour Combi from Force 10, and the EeZee Reader from Videospec.

Picture of the Eezee Reader

PC sharing video magnifiers

They range in price between £1,600 - £3,000. Most of the popular ranges of desktop CCTV’s have a PC sharing version. This includes: the Clearview range from Optelec, the Smartview range from HumanWare, the Magnilink range from Professional Vision Services and the Reinecker range from Visualeyes.

Picture of a Clearview

Lecture room or classroom systems

Because of the two cameras, these products are more expensive and range in price between £2,900 - £4,300. The Magnilink range from Professional Vision Services offers two options, Visionaid offer a Reinecker model and New Vision offer a Stellar Viewtec model. The Tieman Sentry has one tilting camera which can also view an object in the distance and costs just under £2,000.

Picture of a Magnilink

Where can I buy a video magnifier?

Read our list of suppliers contact details

This information sheet is intended as an introduction to the subject for blind and partially sighted people and their supporters. It is not intended as a complete list of all products and services available, nor should it be inferred that products and services mentioned in this information sheet are recommended or endorsed by RNIB.

Technology Information Service
Email: technology@rnib.org.uk
Web: http://www.rnib.org.uk/technology
Tel: 0870 013 9555

Information sheet written June 2006.

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Content author: technology@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 06/03/2008 15:41