Desktop Video Magnifiers for the Visually Impaired

[OnceFuturePoly]

My 85 year old parent is having great trouble reading newspapers and magazines, etc. He's been to the vision doctors, and there isn't anything specific they can do. It is not a case of Macular Degeneration.

He saw (and liked) a reading machine -- a tabletop camera/monitor. Here is a picture of one particular brand:



This is not a OCR to voice text reader like a totally blind person would want. It also has a very simple interface, like an on-off switch and a knob for magnification factor. Another button selects different modes, like color, white on black, black on white, photo, text/line.

They're expensive, as in thousands of US Dollars.

Knowing Lit readers are from all walked of life, I thought I'd throw out a couple of questions and see if anyone can point me to some education.


1. Does Medicare or other government programs contribute to buying these things? I see ads saying that vendors can get medicare to pay for a battery powered cart for the eligible.

Anyone hear of such a program for reading machines?


2. A web camera and computer can do something similar. This biggest problem would be software that presents a simple interface, then a camera with good short range depth of field and auto focus. A TV interface (composite) is a possibility if the resolution of the TV is big enough to provide clear magnification. And some sort of camera mount and light are needed. But in theory, a person good with their hands and computer literate could cobble up something.

Can anyone speak about software and cameras?

Are there cameras (+ lens) that can do auto-focus & zoom 40x? I'm thinking direct connect to a monitor.

What would be great is to find a forum where tinkers are talking to each other about what they've built for vision limited people.

Thanks!

[eric60red]

Simple, You need a projector, linked to the computer, so it displays on to a screen, or white blak wall. You can have that as big or as small as you wish.

They dont cost thousands.

[SweetErika]

Has he already tried a large, lighted magnifying glass? My great grandma used one for many years to read, and that'd certainly be a far less expensive option. I'd suggest shopping for one at a place that has a good return policy, or even contacting your local senior citizen and/or visually impaired organizations to see if you could borrow one to try, so you can move on to the next option without expense if it doesn't work for him.

Another option would be for him to read his favorite material on a computer. For now, increasing the size of the text might work just fine. If his vision deteriorates, software for the visually impaired/blind could be useful.

If you want to go the overhead projector route, I'd imagine you could find a less expensive one at a surplus store or something.

[GrrlFriday]

What kinds of things does he want to read? If you've the opportunity, a second-hand computer-tablet might be of interest - you can make the font as big as you like on those. Your local library might also be able to make some suggestions.

[OnceFuturePoly]

All paper. Time Magazine, The Times, bills, letters, etc. He'll never be a Kindle person.

[nfrrdscnnr1]

A cousin of my mother used an Optilec for many many years. It was mechanical but did a fine job for him. They have become ridiculously expensive and there MUST be less expensive alternatives. In my view, the company is simply preying on the visually impaired.
Here is a site that MAY have more reasonably priced products:
http://www.thelowvisioncenter.com/info.html
None of this is rocket science and there is good money to be made by someone who produces a good product at a reasonable price.

[rthnck]

There are very inexpensive desktop magnifiers like these: Screen Magnifiers

and there are software magnifiers as well like these:

Free Virtual Magnifying Glass

[RSplay]

nevermind...misread

[EdwardMidweston]

My ex's grandmother had great things to say about her Max Digital Video Magnifier. Unfortunately, it was b&w only but it retailed for something like $250.

You might want to do a search on eBay. There's lots of junk there but also some really good stuff at bargain rates. Some is used and some in brand new but overstocked. Might be worth looking.