Digital Imaging Products
The Brother (www.brother.com) DCP-7020 is a flatbed digital copier, laser printer, and high-resolution color scanner rolled into one that features 16MB of memory, a copy and print output of 20 pages per minute,and a maximum print resolution of 2,400 x 600 dpi. The flatbed color scanner comes with a full suite of scanning software that makes it possible to scan books, photos, and documents directly to e-mail, OCR applications, or to a file with its easy-to-use “Scan To” buttons. The DCP-7020 also comes with parallel and USB 2.0 full-speed interfaces,which make it compatiblein both Windows and Mac environments. Price: $199.99.
Microsoft’s (www.microsoft.com) Digital Image Suite 2006 features hierarchical keywords, “hover” thumbnails, and video support that makes it easier for users to organize and share their photos the way they like.The program has several new phot'editing features, including the ability to convert color photos to black and white, and an intuitive crop tool that frames the subject and creates the best possible image. It also has the ability to easily burn photo CDs without disrupting any photo archive settings. In addition,Digital Image Suite can be synced through the Windows Media Player, allowing it to be used with mobile devices such aspocket PCs and smart phones. Estimated retail price: $99.95.
Good things certainly do come in small packages these days. Weighing only a pound, the Epson (www.epson.com) P-2000 multimedia storage viewer offers a 40GB hard drive and 3.8-inch VGA-quality LCD that allows users to view, store, and play back photos, videos, and music—all without a computer. But there’s more: Additional features of the P-2000 include direct printing capabilities to select Epson Stylus printers; a third-party video cable for connecting to TVs, monitors, andprojectors; and two built-in memory card slots. Price: $499.99.
TechSmith Corp. (www.techsmith.com) has added digitalvideo capture and picture-in-picture functions to its Camtasia Studio 3 software,which allows educators and administrators to record, edit, and publish rich video presentations in a variety of media formats using Microsoft PowerPoint. And there’s more for media-happy presenters: Other new features of Camtasia Studio 3 include JPEG compression that can reduce the size of Flash files, 30 days of free Web hosting, and anautomated publishing wizard. Price: $299.
Corel (www.corel.com) has enhanced its Painter IX program by adding dual-monitor support for Windows, new pens and brushes, and more realistic painting capabilities to its already long list of innovative digital painting and illustration tools. The crossplatform program now includes specially designed courseware for educators and tutorials from leading graphics professionals, as well as an improved set of help features to make it easier to get started.Education version is priced at $129.
With a 4,800dpi optical resolution and 48-bit color, Hewlett-Packard’s (www.hp.com) Scanjet 8250 digital flatbed scanner features two-sided scanning and an automatic document feeder that scans up to 15 pages per minute.The Scanjet 8250’s large scanning surface allows users to scan legal-size documents, while its built-in transparent materials adapter can capture scans from 35mm negatives and slides. In addition, you can view, save, e-mail, or copy scans without a computer keyboard by using the scanner’ssix one-touch buttons. Educational price: $772.
Delivering a print speed of up to 50 pages per minute, Lexmark’s (www.lexmark.com) W840 monochrome laser printer features wide-format printing capabilities, a powerful 625MHz processor, and 256MB of standard RAM (expandable to 768MB). The printer also has an easy-touse, customizable interface that features on-screen graphics to help users find answers to technical support questions, and a USB flash drive for direct printing of PDF files from its operation panel.Price: $2,299.
Teachers and students can now create newsletters,stickers,certificates, calendars, banners, and flashcards using their own digital photos thanks to Classroom Photo Publisher from APTE Inc. (www.apte.com). The cross-platform program includes more than 200 project templates, a large clipart library, and a teacher resource book loaded with ideas for classroom photo projects.In addition,the software’s Photo Edit Center provides a simple way for students to learn the basics of photo editing.The program retails for $64.95; labpacks and site licenses are also available.
Macromedia’s (www.macromedia.com) Studio 8 combines the latest versions of Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks, Contribute, and Flash Paper into one solution that enhances an educator’s ability to create and deliver rich online content, as well as aids in the teaching of digital communication skills. A two-year subscription to the Studio 8 K-12 site license program is also offered, providing schools with project-based curriculum to teach the foundations of Web design, and professional development resources such as hands-on teacher workshop materials. Pricing: $2,750 (500 students); $3,750 (more than 500 students); the two-year subscription can be added for $1,050 or $1,125, respectively.
The International Society for Technology in Education (www.iste.org) has published Teaching With Digital Images: Acquire,Analyze,Create,Communicate, aimed at K-8 teachers and technology/curriculum coordinators. The book tackles digital camera basics and image-editing software; using cameras to help students visualize a problem; and more. It provides lesson plans, teaching tips, and classroom management strategies for educators.Price is $34.15 for ISTE members; $37.95 for non-members.
With a scaffolded approach that is ideal for young learners, Tech4Learning Inc.’s (www.tech4learning.com) Pixie provides templates and backgrounds, a drag-and-drop library of stickers, and an array of paint and easy-to-use image tools that children can use to create original artwork which can be viewed in a slideshow or as part of an online image gallery. Pixie includes lesson plans for use in art, math, and language arts classes. It also provides tips so educators can use the program in accordance with ISTE’s National Educational Technology Standards (NETS).Pricing starts as $39.95; lab pack and site license versions are available.
Vlog It! from Serious Magic Inc.(www.SeriousMagic.com) is a PC video-creation program that provides users with the ability to drag and drop pictures, video, and sound clips from a variety of sources, then combine them with personal narration to create a video blog, or vlog, that can be shared on the Web. At the heart of Vlog It! is a library of templates that give vlogs the production values of a TV show, and a teleprompter-like device that works instantly so vloggers can view their video in real time. The programcan be downloaded from the Web for $99.95.
Ideal for digital camera users, Dell’s (www.dell.com) Photo All-in-One Printer 942 offers advanced photo printing features such as memory card slots that make it simple to print sharp, borderless photos without being connected to a PC; a PictBridge port for easy camera connection; and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. The printer features black and color printing or copying with a print resolution of 4,800 x 1,200 dpi, a 48-bit flatbed scanner, and PC-based faxing. All-in-One also includes the Dell Ink Management System software program, which monitors ink levels and notifies users when levels are low. Price $139.
This article originally appeared in the 10/01/2005 issue of THE Journal.