USB web cam into class room visualiser

I was lucky enough to be bought a visualiser for my classroom. If you've never come across them before - they are essentially a piece of hardware that replaces OHPs and other projection equipment. 

In class, they are used to project what is on the teachers desk onto a whiteboard. 

They have some nice features - save video and still images of whats being projected, they can connect up to microscopes and you can freeze the displayed image.

All good stuff -- but they cost between £150 and £250 ($200 - $400 ish). 

Having a spare web cam, I thought I could recreate one for £15 - £20 ($20 - $40).

You'll need:
 

• USB Web Cam
• Flexible neck desk lamp (cheaper the better as you'll be re-purposing it)
• Software (the excellent MyScreenCam is perfect and free)
• Basic tools (Dremmel / hand drill, screw drivers)

Step 1 Tear down web cam / lamp

Start with making sure that your WebCam works with your computer.  Install any drivers that you need.

Then grab the excellent software MyScreenCam and install it (I have Windows 7 and it works a treat) 

1) Tear down the lamp

i)   Remove the inside of the lamp shade
ii)  Remove any electrical wires
iii) Unscrew the lamp shade from the flexible neck

2) Tear down the web cam

i)   Remove any leg / stand from the camera body.
What we are aiming for is just the camera.

Comments

[knife141]

Great idea and nice instructable!

[stormy0314]

This is so simple and inexpensive. Brilliant. Why isn't this garnering more comments and application from parents and grandparents who want their children interested in the world around them. Great job and thanks. I'm doing this in the am

[DIY-Guy]

One or two more photos would make for a few more comments.
Suggest an image of the project in use, example- a butterfly on the table with the image projected on the wall at the same time.

[rimar2000]

Brilliant!