Vivitek has introduced two new models in its lineup of portable, single-chip DLP projectors designed for classroom use. The D825ES and D825EX offer high light output and high contrast ratios but come in at less than $900.
The University of Delaware in Newark has purchased three Hitachi SK-HD1000 HD studio/field cameras to produce live HD video shows for big screen displays at its football games and graduations.
Smart Technologies has added touch recognition to its Smart Board 600 series of interactive whiteboards. The new capability allows the board to distinguish between a finger and a pen--and even the palm of the hand.
AVerMedia Technologies has launched its new AVerVision VP-1 Portable Visual Presenter, a portable (2.7-pound) mechanical arm document camera and 3D object presentation system for classrooms.
Mitsubishi has begun shipping a new LCD-based SXGA+ projector aimed at higher education, specifically medical schools. The new MH2850U, according to Mitsubishi, is "specially engineered for projecting DICOM simulation images for use in medical education and training."
Dynamic Biometric Systems has introduced a series of student authentication products based on its Bio-Pen hardware and related software systems. The company said its Bio-Pen addresses the verification requirement laid out in the Higher Education Opportunity Act that mandates educational institutions develop a student authentication method to ensure that students who receive credits for distance courses actually do the class work and take the exams.
"With clickers, you're giving every student a voice, even the introverts," according to Edna Ross, a resource teaching professor and the chair of the University Instructional Technology Committee in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, speaking about classroom response systems.
The Midwestern Higher Education Compact has signed a three-year contract with four possible year renewals with Xerox Corp. for printing equipment and document management services. MHEC will also extend this agreement to its sister organization, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
Niigata University in Niigata, Japan and Oki Printing Solutions announced an agreement to jointly develop and manufacture environmentally conscious toner that uses biodegradable complex fine particles, originated from biomass resources. A toner prototype will be ready by 2009 and Oki Printing Solutions plans to market the product by 2010 globally.
NEC this week debuted four new projectors targeted toward education applications, along with a new MultiSync LCD display. The new NP-series projectors are entry-level models started at $899 but are designed to provide high light output, support for closed captioning, and built-in networking capabilities.