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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Save your money!

Buy the cheapest video camcorder you can find and put it in a wooden 
box with a clear Plexiglass window below. (Durability? No problem!) 
Connect it to any low-cost TV which has a yellow 'phono' composite 
video socket. See photos here 
http://www.interactives.co.uk/hands_uwstl.htm and also 
http://www.interactives.co.uk/minds_alzheimers.htm (scroll down to 
the 4th photo).

Just make sure the camcorder is one which 'remembers' its zoom 
setting etc and starts up when the exhibition's mains power is 
switched each morning. Most will, I think.

You can pre-select any magnification you prefer before screwing the 
lid on the box, and let visitors 'zoom' in closer simply by holding 
the specimen closer to the Plexiglass window. The camcorder's 
autofocus will do the rest. Most camcorders will give remarkably high 
magnifications.

Put exhibit suppliers out of business ... build your own.


[log in to unmask] * http://www.interactives.co.uk
*
Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour.
Awaken curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.
*
Ian Russell 

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