Document Camera Califone Diggiditto DC596

The Diggiditto is a unique little document camera, so let me begin by highlighting its most prominent quirk: it doesn’t provide display output so that you can connect it directly to a digital projector. Since many teachers use document cameras as an overhead unit—for projecting the material they’re working with in real time—it’s important to know that this one connects via USB to a Windows-based PC running the supplied DC596 software, which can then output live to a projector.

I know: that’s a bummer. Still, the software package does put a bunch of useful functions at teachers’ fingertips. Those include the ability to annotate content; edit, capture, and store still images complete with those annotations; and the ability to record full presentations, with audio, as WMV movie files in up to VGA resolution (640X480 pixels). Users can also create full-blown slideshows linking audio narration files to captured images. Your typical document camera just doesn’t bring all that stuff so easily to the table.

Hardware-wise, the Diggiditto is essentially a two-megapixel USB webcam with built-in microphone that attaches, using a tripod-style screw mount, to a flexible arm. It’s a handy, compact unit that comes in a rugged little case. The camera output looked good in natural light, but the audio pickup was a tad weak and noisy in playback. The Diggiditto DC596 software takes some time to get used to; something to consider if you’re looking for a machine to share among casual classroom users. While some of the camera’s quirks can be overcome, others cannot. An example of the latter: you can annotate using a variety of pen styles and colors, but there’s no text tool available. What’s up with that? Try writing legibly with a mouse or laptop touchpad.

Something initially frustrating, but ultimately conquerable? Well, in camera mode, my image appeared upside down. I rotated it, but when I went to record the video, it flipped right back to a topsy-turvy state. After some fiddling within the less-than-conspicuous camera settings menu, I made numerous camera adjustments to resolve this.

The Diggiditto DC596 is a brand new offering, so I’m hoping the software will improve with age—it could use a few tweaks. While casual document camera users may find it unduly cumbersome, it’s still a good, inexpensive choice for those PC users who are willing to learn how to annotate and create replayable presentations.