Do
students watch your computer demonstrations with binoculars? If they do, they and you
should look at some very useful devices which let you plug your computer into most large
televisions.
I tested one each of two designs for IBM compatibles, but there is now
a version for a Macintosh. Pro PC/TV Plus is a box, just a touch smaller than a video
cassette, which you simply connect between your computer and the television. The other,
TapeIt! is a card which has to fit inside the computer and this requires just a little
confidence to fit.
To use either, you first have to run a program which stabilises the TV
picture though from then on, you use the computer exactly as you did before. While they
show full colour, the picture sharpness is no match for a monitor or one of those costly
overhead projection panels, but they certainly beat binoculars. Your television will need
to have a camera, SCART or 'S video' socket and fortunately most do. Just remember to ask
for the correct connecting wire.
The box design is portable and especially brilliant for notebook
computers but you will need to tolerate the mess of wires.. The internal board is very
tidy, very permanent and consequently more reliable. I would recommend either for group
presentations or even for recording computer work on video tape - if that grabs you. Since
testing these, some healthy competition has stepped it to make things even more
interesting.
Prices and brands (1994)
Internal cards for IBM compatibles with VGA display
Creative Labs TVCoder. Price £130 from Carera Technology, 209-212
Tottenham Court Road, London W1 9AF
TapeIT! Price £295 from Sai Technologies, Unit 2, P&O Centre, PO
Box 14, Rockware Avenue, Greenford, Middx, UB6 0AD
External box for IBM compatibles with VGA display
PC-TV Adapter Price £105 from Vine Micros Ltd, Cowper Road, Margate,
Kent CT9 1SX
Pro PC/TV plus Price £236 from Magic Media, Britannia House, 958 High
Road, N12.
For Powerbook or Macintosh with video port
VGA to TV converter box Price £249 from Misco Computer Supplies Ltd,
Faraday Close, Park Farm Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, Northants. NN8 6XH. |
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