A visual presenter is essentially a color video camera that is mounted onto a movable arm. The camera is positioned over a large platform which objects are placed on. They are full-featured, portable, digital presentation cameras that are designed to present text documents, flat art, scientific specimens and three dimensional items. The camera can be moved to display objects from almost anywhere in a room.
A good visualizer should have a remote control, a swivel head camera and an optical zoom lens which let you show intricate details of your objects. Most visualizers are aimed for use in educational or business settings. Many of them have their own table top and over head lighting systems built in along with auto focus and white balance capabilities. The built in lights can illuminate slides or transparencies from below and non-transparent items from above.
Most visualizer models can store images as JPEG or BMP files. The vizualizer should also interface most video projectors or display monitors and some can be controlled by a computer.
These items come in various sizes, shapes and styles. They can range in price from about $500 to $10,000. Analog models are available, but aren't very common.
