Presenting the newest in presentation systems - Product news: higher education and technology products, projects, and services - Brief Article

Matrix: The Magazine for Leaders in Education, Sept, 2001

While there is much to attract one's attention in Las Vegas, in June it was Infocomm International 2001 that reeled in higher-ed leaders. The event showcased the newest technologies and trends in the audiovisual and presentations industry. There were some 513 exhibitors and 22,460 registered attendees. These products were among the highlights:

   The SDP-900
   Digital Presenter
   by Samsung is
   one example of
   how digital technology
   is changing
   the world of
   presentation. It
   offers improved depth-of-field and
   Extended Graphics Array (XGA) resolutions
   of 1,024 x 768 (850,000 pixels),
   providing an easy to operate, powerful
   and flexible platform.

The SDP-900 makes it easy for presenters to swing down to a tabletop perspective, bringing 3-D liveliness to solid objects they want to show. It can also be used for high-quality teleconferencing by tilting the camera towards the presenter.

Other highlights include the ability to store eight images in internal memory which can be recalled at the press of a button; split screen capabilities; a built-in USB port and cable for transfer of images in JPEG and BMP formats and as a conduit for commands to a PC, plus more. For more information, visit, www. samsungpresenter.com.

Presenters can now expand their projector's capability and enjoy a split-second transformation from document to screen with Canon's new PR-200S Presentation Assistant. Simply scan the sheet and materials are projected for everyone to see. The portable color scanner scans paper documents, overhead transparencies, media clippings, photographs and handwritten notes. Image carrier sheets can be fitted with any undersized documents for accurate scanning.

A remote control permits distant operation and corrects positioning of images already scanned. A "mirror image" function provides a one-touch way to correct a transparency placed upside down in the stack. Images can also be reduced or enlarged. The Presentation Assistant costs $899.

For more information, visit http://canonprojectors.com.

A couple of years ago Interlink Electronics introduced Freedom Writer Pro, an all in one PC input device that replaces pen, mouse and keyboard for Internet conferencing, group meetings and presentations. The user can write directly on electronic documents, whiteboards, and presentation slides from a desk or while their walking around the room. In addition they can control the net meeting, electronic notes, or presentation software applications.

Now Zenith is helping to merchandise the Freedom Writer to the higher education market to give administrators a less expensive alternative to purchasing a projector and whiteboard.

"The Freedom Writer, at $199, will hook to most PCs (not Mac compatible) and provide the ability to control your computer via IR," says Todd Moffett, director of sales, Zenith Education. "I'm excited about this tool that `backs the teacher away from the chalk board' to provide a great way to communicate to a classroom or large viewing audience."

Call 800-884-1742 for a Zenith Authorized Education Reseller. reseller near them or demonstration or visit www.interlinkelec.com.