Using Sphere Software with Your AverVision Document Camera

Using Sphere Software with Your AverVision Document Camera Sphere is new software that can be used in conjunction with your AverVision Document camera...
Author: May Cole
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Using Sphere Software with Your AverVision Document Camera Sphere is new software that can be used in conjunction with your AverVision Document camera. Not all cameras will be able to use this software, but the 300AF+, and CP 155 will work. If you have another model you will need to go to the Sphere download link on the ITT website to see the supported camera list. If your camera is listed go ahead and download the new software. It is highly recommended that you explore the software before using it instructionally. Lesson Plan View Open the software and this is the view that you will see when starting.

Menu Tool Bars Main Tools

These are the default tools that come up at the start of the program. In the upper right hand corner of the tool is a white x in a red circle. If you click that it will close the tools and they can be reopened by clicking on the left side Menu tab. Document Camera Tools

By clicking on the DocCam button this toolbar appears. Most are self-explanatory and when you click on Adjust Image the tool bar below opens. Click the DocCam button with the blue arrow to send it back to the Main Tools. Any tool icon with the blue arrow will send it back to the tool or tools before. Adjust Image

Not all cameras will have the ability on this tool bar to manually focus along with some of the other camera modes, but the other tools are available. Test the brightness/contrast to find what works best in your classroom lighting situation. Annotation Tools

Click on any of the annotation tools and additional tool bars will open that will allow you to change thickness, transparency and color etc. These additional toolbars are not shown in this handout and will need to be explored.

Presenter Tools

Presenter tools will allow covering all or part of what is on the computer and then moving either tool to slowly reveal what is underneath. Capture Tools

Before using the Capture tools you will need to go to Settings to make sure you set up a default location to store the JPEG and click Save. Full screen will capture the whole desktop including annotations, DocCam will only capture what is under the camera without any annotations. Click Time Lapse and the toolbar below will open. You can view your JPEGS easily by clicking on the Media tab on the left side of the program. Capture Tools/Time Lapse

Time lapse can cover a time limit of up to 72 hours and the picture interval from mere seconds to 6 hours. Make sure you go to Settings and choose a location that is not your “U” drive to store these JPEGs. It could be hundreds of pictures and the size of the folder could add up quickly. These JPEGS can then be placed in Windows Live Movie Maker, but it is recommended to go to the file they are saved in and Select All and then Import then into Movie Maker.

Record

Clicking the record button will NOT give a new tool bar, it will start the recording process as the screen shot to the right shows. Again make sure to go to Settings first to choose the save location and to make sure the microphone is working if you will be recording audio.

The recording controls can be found in the hidden icons in the lower right hand corner of the desktop. Click on the chevrons to open the hidden icons menu. Click the recording controls icon to see the controls. It looks like a clapperboard used in filming movies.

*** It is recommended that you use an external microphone and this could be a stand-alone microphone or a headset.

Split Screen Tools

The split screen function allows you to share a maximum number of three resources at once. You can have the live document camera, a web camera and a saved screen shot open at once. See and test the other variations on the tool bar to see what best fits your teaching style. Widget Mode

In Widget Mode the program is reduced in the upper right hand corner of the desktop, but the DocCam tools still function as well as the Capture and Record Tools. When recording you will see the Widget Mode as well as the rest of the desktop or another application on the computer. GradeCam Insight is image recognition software that takes readymade bubble sheets and scans them to give instant item analysis and scores can be sent directly to your grade book. There is a cost associated with this service so at this time this feature is not described in this handout beyond this statement.

Settings Click on the word Sphere in the top left hand corner in the Lesson Planner view. These three screen shots are of the tabs in settings. Video Tab It is Important to set up your default save directory before you begin recording. It is recommended that you save it to your “U” drive, computer or to an external device.

Webcam Tab The web cam tab allows you to connect to a web camera if you are using the split screen option. You can use the built in web camera or a stand-alone web camera.

Site Login Tab In the video tab you will have the chance to set up a folder on your computer, your “U” drive and or external device for storage. The social media sites listed on this tab cannot be used at this time.

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