Magnification Solutions
Screen Magnifiers
Screen magnification software enlarges the information on the screen by a pre-determined incremental factor (for example, 1x magnification, 2x magnification, 3x magnification, etc). Magnification programs run simultaneously and seamlessly with a computer's operating system and applications. Most screen magnification software has the flexibility to magnify the full screen, parts of the screen or provide a magnifying glass view of the area around the cursor or pointer. These programs also often allow for inverted colors, enhanced pointer viewing, and tracking options.
Ease of Use
People who already know how to use a standard PC require modest amounts of training to learn to use screen magnifiers.
Pricing Information
Prices for screen magnification software range from $25-$600.
Some Vendors and Products
Screen Magnification Software for Windows:
- AiSquared: Big Shot Magnifier, VisAbility, ZoomText series
- Dolphin Computer Access, LLC: Lunar series, SuperNova
- Freedom Scientific: MAGic series
- IBM: Screen Magnifier/2
- ION Systems, Inc.: WebEyes
Screen Magnification Software for Macintosh:
- ALVA Access Group, Inc:InLarge
Video Magnifiers
People with low vision can comfortably read books and newspapers, manage their checkbooks, read prescription bottles, or view photos with a video magnifier. Most video magnifiers are stationary "desk" models, but there are a growing number of portable magnifiers.
Standard video magnifiers consist of a camera and monitor screen (usually 12 or 19 inches). Material placed under the camera is magnified and displayed on the video magnifier's monitor. Print size, brightness and contrast can be adjusted to meet individual reading needs. The image can be viewed either with black letters on a white screen or white letters on a black screen. Standard video magnifiers have a black and white screen. Color video magnifiers are also available.
There are a variety of portable video magnifiers: some use a small "handheld" camera that is passed over the text to be enlarged, while others use a compact version of the desktop monitor. Text is displayed in magnified form on either a standard video magnifier monitor, a small portable monitor, or on the screen of an ordinary television set or computer, depending on the model selected. Portable video magnifiers offer levels of magnification that far exceed those of standard optical devices.
One version of the video magnifier combines elements of a scanning system with elements of a video magnifier. Pages are scanned in (at the rate of about 10 seconds per page) and the text is displayed in magnified form on a monitor.
When video magnifiers are used with computers, the monitor screen is "split", showing both PC and video magnifier material.
Ease of Use
Video magnifiers are easy to use. However, video magnifiers as well as any optical devices such as telescopes, hand or stand magnifiers, or high powered spectacles, should be purchased only with the advice of a low vision specialist, eye care professional, or vision rehabilitation therapist.
Before purchasing any device, test it with documents you are likely to read- newspapers, business correspondence, faxes, etc.- to assure that its performance meets your expectations.
Pricing Information
The standard basic black and white unit starts at approximately $1,800. Portable video magnifiers vary in price depending on size and display capability, but they start at about $900. The video magnifier that scans in materials and then scrolls text across the screen costs about $2,900 (not including the monitor).
Some Vendors and Products
In-Line Video Magnifiers (where the monitor is set up on top of the camera):
- Optelec: Clearview 317/317xl/517/517xl
- Pulse Data HumanWare: SmartView 1000/3000/5000/5000KP
Out-of-Line Video Magnifiers (where the monitor and camera are placed beside each other):
- Optelec: Clearview 300/500
- Pulse Data HumanWare: SmartView 7000
Video Magnifiers that use computer monitors:
- Optelec: Clearview 700
- Pulse Data HumanWare: SmartView 8000
Portable Video Magnifiers:
- Innoventions, Inc: Magni-Cam
- Pulse Data HumanWare: PocketViewer
- Optelec: Traveller; Compact