CCTV Information Page

Contents of this page:

Basic Features of CCTVs

"A closed-circuit television (CCTV) system uses a stand-mounted or hand-held video camera to project a magnified image onto a video monitor or a television (TV) screen" (from AFB information sheet). A CCTV includes the following basic features:

video camera with zoom lens (hand-held or stand)
monitor or television (attached camera or external)
provide enlarged image of material under camera
magnification range of 2X to 60X+
switchable polarity (black text/white background or white text/black background)
controls for focus, magnification, brightness, contrast
X-Y viewing table for easy material movement
variety of monitor sizes (5 inches to 20+ inches)

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Advanced Features of CCTVs

black and white camera with color monitor (allows user selectable foreground and background colors)
color camera with color monitor (view full color enlarged images)
controls for foreground and background color, split image, color or b/w presentation
line markers or windowing (horizontal and/or vertical screen masking that provides a user selectable viewing window for reading)
motorized viewing table

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Types of CCTVs

hand-held camera connected to a monitor or TV
- MagniCam - Innovations
- OVAC 200 & 210 portable
- MousCam - Vision Technology
- Big Picture - APH
- OVAC Vision-Aide electronic magnifier - information, specifications, pricing, pictures of desktop that use a standard television as a monitor.
self-contained portables
- Passport - Optelec
- TravelX - Achrontech
stand-alone units
- Humanware Low Vision Products - homepage for the ClearView family of CCTVs
- Optelec , CCTVS - information about Spectrum, 20/20, and Passport CCTVs
- CCTVs- Just for You - basic information and pictures of Optelec CCTV
- Pulse Data ViewPoint
- Pulse Data SmartView
- Telesensory Product Information - information about the Aladdin Family of CCTVs
- Outlook - desktop CCTV from Xerox
- CCTV Information - in the UK
camera units which share a computer's monitor
computer/scanner based text magnification
- Omni 3000 - scanner based reading system, that can also magnify text.
- JBliss Imaging Systems - the Versatile Image Processor, computer based scanning solution for text magnification. Can also read the information back to you.
- VisAbility - from AI Squared, scanner based text magnification

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Information Links

CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEMS - AFB information sheet. Up to date and informative.
CNIB CCTV Products - simple overview of CCTV with extensive product list
Did You Know - consumer information about CCTVs and questions to ask before purchasing a device. Has a good table of information relating magnification and screen size to number of lines of text and characters per line. From Achrontech.
Learn about a CCTV - Frequently Asked Questions about CCTVs from HumanWare. Lots of good information that can be applied to all CCTVs.
FOCUS ON LOW VISION - a short piece of a much larger document. This section deals with electronic and nonoptical aids.
Abledata Search - search page for Abledata. Continually updated, includes contact information.
Access Central: Video Visual Aids - more CCTV basics
Medicare and CCTV

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Links to Manufactures: Desktop and Portable

Humanware Low Vision Products - homepage for the ClearView family of CCTVs
Optelec , CCTVS - information about Spectrum, 20/20, and Passport CCTVs
CCTVs- Just for You - basic information and pictures of Optelec CCTV
OVAC Vision-Aide electronic magnifier - information, specifications, pricing, pictures of desktop and portable CCTVs.
Pulse Data ViewPoint
Pulse Data SmartView
Magnsight
Telesensory Product Information - information about the Aladdin Family of CCTVs
Outlook - desktop CCTV from Xerox
Clarity Solutions

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Scanner Based Text Magnifiers Links

Omni 3000 - scanner based reading system, that can also magnify text.
JBliss Imaging Systems - the Versatile Image Processor, computer based scanning solution for text magnification. Can also read the information back to you.
VisAbility - from AI Squared, scanner based text magnification

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Other Devices

Visionics Low Vision - homepage of the LVES (Low Vision Enhancement System)
MaxEye Low Vision Reading System From 4X - portable 4X text magnifier.
OVAC 600 - head mounted CCTV (search the page for OVAC 600)

Questions for Choosing CCTVs

This form is followed by questions. Use the form to determine your needs first. Then evaluate various brands and types of CCTVS. Find the CCTV which is the closest match to your needs.

CCTV Feature	Requirements	#1__________	#2___________	#3__________
magnification range
screen size
camera (b/w or color)
color monitor (y/n)
polarity (y/n)
X-Y table (y/n)
portable (weight)
windowing (hor/vert)
adjustable monitor height
tilt monitor
lighting type
split screen (hor/vert)
inline (y/n)
use with computer (y/n)
change foreground - background colors
use with computer
other

1. What is the magnification range?
2. What is the range of screen size?
3. Is the camera color or black and white?
4. Is it a color monitor?
5. Does is support polarity of the screen image?
6. Does it allow for windowing (horizontal and/or vertical)?
7. Does it have an X/Y table?
8. Does it have adjustable monitor height?
9. Does it have a tilt monitor?
10. Which type of lighting is used (fluorescent or incandescent)?
11. What kind of camera is used?
12. Does it support split screen (horizontal and/or vertical)?
13. What is the size and weight of the system?
14. Is it an inline system?
15. Will the CCTV accept video input from a computer?
16. Can the foreground and background colors be changed?

CCTV Curriculum and Assessment

Steps for Completing the CCTV Assessment
CCTV Assessment And Training: A Client Based Approach (not TSBVI webpage)
CCTV/Video Magnifier Assessment Protocols - Karlen Communications
CCTV Line Drawing Assessment Tool (PDF) (not TSBVI webpage)
Low Vision Aids Training Checklists (not TSBVI webpage)

Created by Jim Allan, TSBVI

Agency Contact Information | Texas State Homepage | Texas State Wide Search

Please complete the comment form or send comments and suggestions to: Jim Allan (Webmaster-Jim Allan)

Last Revision: October 13, 2004