Using Your Doc Cam
In August of 2022, the Department of Educational Technology completed the replacement of all AVer F50 and older model document cameras with the current standard AVer U70+. For questions regarding the document camera refresh project or any remaining F50 document cameras that were not replaced, contact Trent.Laubscher@palmbeachschools.org.
Aver U70+
The AVer U70+ document camera is the current standard in the SDPBC interactive classroom. A direct USB connection supplies both video and power, and the Sphere2 software features document camera controls that allow teachers to present live video, annotate, capture their screens, compare images, record, and share.
The U70+ document camera and Sphere2 software can be used with Windows devices, SMART panels, and even Chromebooks. This standard of technology allows for flexible instructional options to help teachers meet the diverse needs of the learners in their classrooms.
U70+ Quick Start Guide.pdfSupport Documentation
Document Camera Location on a Teacher Desk
Document cameras should be installed at the edge of the teacher desk (#8 below) closest to the center of the room. Ideally, teachers are as close as possible to the students when using the document camera, as long as cables safely allow. Document cameras should not be installed next to a wall or in a corner. Newer construction will also have built-in furniture wrapped around to the back wall with a built in media cabinet (not shown) but the ideal computer and document camera placement on the teacher desk is the same for both new and older schools.
Interactive Classroom Doc Cam Placement.pdfUSB Cable Connections
For AVer U70+ document cameras connected to teacher computer
The AVer U70+ document camera is provided with a 10ft USB 3.0 A-B Male/Male cable (see right) to extend it as close to the students as possible on a teacher's desk.
Troubleshooting
How do I turn on my document camera?
On your computer desktop, click the orange Sphere2 icon. This will bring up the software, which will automatically turn on your camera.
The software window can be repositioned and moved as needed to display via the classroom projector.
To turn off the camera, simply close the Sphere2 software.
I do not have the Sphere2 software on my computer.
The Sphere2 software can be installed by teachers via the Portal Manager.
Click on the Portal Manager icon on your device desktop, then search for "AVer." Then, click on the AVer Sphere2 tile to begin the installation.
A detailed guide for installing Sphere2 on both Windows and Chrome devices can be located here.
I can't hear any sound from my laptop or classroom Audio Enhancement after the document camera was installed.
When an AVer U70+ document camera is plugged into a computer the first time, the selected playback device may default to Speakers (Aver Audio) disrupting sound to a teacher's Audio Enhancement system. To correct this, a user should do the following:
Log into the computer as user (teacher).
Make sure Sphere2 software is installed on the computer.
Connect the AVer U70+ document camera to the computer with provided 10 foot USB cable.
Click on the speaker icon at the bottom right of the desktop [see graphic 1].
The default playback device will be "Speakers (Aver Audio)" [see graphic 2].
Select the dropdown arrow to view the installed playback devices [see graphic 3].
Choose "Speakers / Headphones (Realtek High Definition Audio)" [see graphic 4].*
*For teacher laptops with audio connections at the laptop docking station, the correct default audio will display as "Speakers (ATE1133)" [See Graphic 5].
When opening Sphere2, I receive the "Visualizer is not connected!" error message.
This error is typically only encountered on older desktop devices loading Sphere2 for the first time. In this case, it can often be resolved by disconnecting the USB 3.0 document camera cable from the device and reconnecting it.
Users encountering this error persistently on a supported device after first use may have a defective camera. To test, connect the camera USB to a different device, such as the PC located on the back of the classroom SMART panel, and then launch Sphere2. If the "Visualizer is not connected!" error message displays, it is likely a defective camera and should be replaced via AVer Warranty.
Users may also receive this message if attempting to use the U70+ with a USB extension cable. In this case, connecting the U70+ directly to the device may resolve the issue.
When opening Sphere2, I receive the "Visualizer is used by another AP!" error message.
Sphere2 will not load the U70+ camera image if it is open in another program, such as the Windows camera app or Google Meet. Similarly, this message will also display if another user has logged into the same device on another user profile and has left the Sphere2 software running. To resolve, close Sphere2. Then, close any other applications currently using the camera and restart Sphere2. If the camera is in use under a different user's profile, disconnecting and reconnecting the USB will shut down the camera so it can be used on the active profile.
Users may also receive this message if attempting to use the U70+ with a USB extension cable. In this case, connecting the U70+ directly to the device may resolve the issue.
Sphere2 freezes during use.
Make sure the U70+ is connected to a USB 3.0 port. In some cases, using Sphere2 while the device is plugged into a USB 2.0 port may cause the software to freeze during use. Additionally, in some cases, connecting the document camera directly to the device (rather than the docking station) will help prevent freezing issues.
If the document camera continues to freeze during use, close the Sphere2 software. Open the task manager and force close the A+ task. Locate the AVer folder in My Documents, move any images or videos saved by the teacher in this folder, then delete the folder. Deleting this folder should prevent future freezing issues.
I cannot access network files from within the Sphere2 Software.
There is a known issue preventing teachers from accessing network folders from within Sphere2. Some users have their document folders redirected to a network share. For those users, the Windows Explorer feature of Sphere2 will not work. For this to work, the "Default file location" needs to be changed to point to the user's local hard drive.
