The Dr. Bill Takeshita Foundation

Last Modified: Wed, 23 Apr 2008

In 2008, there have been tremendous advances in the technology of video magnifiers that work with notebook computers. These portable video magnifiers are very easy to transport in a notebook bag or brief case. They run off of the power of the notebook computer, thus eliminating the need for users to search for an electrical outlet.

A.B.I. See Zoom Ex

The Zoom Ex is a very innovative device that is designed to help people with low vision to read books, handouts, memos, and other documents by scanning the text and displaying it in large print on the computer screen. In addition, the Zoom Ex will also read the text aloud using a very human-like sounding computerized voice. In addition to being able to scan text, the Zoom Ex can also function exactly like any other video magnifier where the user can place books, worksheets, and other items under the camera and see it in a magnified manner on the computer screen.

The Zoom Ex consists of a software program and a foldable camera. The camera unfolds to stand about 15-inches above the desk. The camera connects to one USB port on the computer. When the program is started, the Zoom Ex camera is activated and users can place text under the camera and see it in large print on the computer screen. The magnification can be changed using the computer keyboard and the colors of the background and text can also be modified.

The Zoom Ex can also capture an image of the text and save it to the hard drive. It can also scan the text in less than 3 seconds and the software program will begin reading the text aloud while also displaying the text on the screen in a magnified manner.

We tested the Zoom Ex and have found it to be an excellent device for those who use a notebook computer. The Zoom Ex was able to scan and begin reading the text in less than 3 seconds, significantly faster than using a flatbed scanner and other software programs. The magnified image displayed on the computer screen was not as sharp as a desktop video magnifier. However, it was definitely legible. We believe the Zoom Ex is an excellent solution for students and workers who use a notebook computer and need access to a video magnifier to help them to read text or to scan documents. MSRP: $2395

A.B.I.See Zoom Twix

The Zoom Twix is one of the most exciting assistive technology devices released in 2008. The Twix functions like a desktop video magnifier, a scan an reading device that reads text aloud using a computerized voice, a digital camera that can take photographs of notes or Power Point presentations, and it can also focus on distance objects to allow users to read the chalkboard. The Twix is extremely portable and can be carried in a backpack with a notebook computer very easily to transport from home to school and work.

The Twix consists of a software program and a foldable camera system that easily connects to the computer via a USB port. The camera is powered by the notebook computer and thus users do not need to search for an electrical outlet to use the Twix. Similar to the Zoom Ex described above, the Twix camera unfolds to stand about 15-inchs off of the table and has a L shaped bracket that delineates where users should place the paper to be seen on the computer screen. Once the Twix software has been opened by clicking the icon, the Twix camera turns on and the documents placed under the camera are displayed on the computer screen similar to a desktop video magnifier. If the document placed under the camera has text, users can press a key on the keyboard and the Twix will scan the text and begin reading it aloud in 3 seconds. For those readers who also want to see the text in large print, the Twix will also reformat the text to wrap such that the users will be able to read the text in large print similar to the manner that newscasters read on a tele-prompter. The reformatting feature eliminates the need for the readers to move the document under the camera. This function is extremely helpful for those who lose their place while reading.

In addition to being able to magnify and read text aloud, the Twix has a second camera that is an adjustable camera that can focus at various distances. Users can point the second camera to focus on the chalkboard or Power Point presentations. The camera can also be swiveled to focus on intermediate distances such as the computer screen of a colleague. In addition, the camera can be swiveled to focus on the faces of users and the image will be mirrored, allowing users to groom and put on make-up! In addition, the second camera can take pictures of the images that are stored on the computer.

We tested the Twix and found it to be extremely helpful. The second camera allowed us to see items written on the chalkboard and we especially like the ability to take pictures of the board, eliminating the need to take notes. The near focusing camera captured images of text very well and the speech quality of the synthesizer was very human-like. We found the Twix to be very portable and easy to set up. The clarity of the images of the chalkboard and Power Point presentations were not as sharp as those viewed with the Enhanced Vision Acrobat or Freedom Scientific ONYX but the ability to take a photograph of the image outweighed the difference in crispness of the image. We believe the Twix is a very valuable device for students and workers who use a notebook computer. MSRP: $3495