ED 273 253 IR 012 253 AUTHOR Schwartz, Ed TITLE The Educators' Handbook to Interactive Videodisc. INSTITUTION Association for Educational Communications and Technology, Washingtem, D.C. REPORT NO ISBN-0-89240-049-8 PUB DATE 85 NOTE 101p. AVAILABLE FROM Association for Educational Communications and Technology, 1126 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. PUB TYPE Guides - Non-Classroom Use (055) -- Reference Materials - Directories/Catalogs (132) EDRS PRICE MF01 Plus Postage. PC Not Available from ED2S. DESCRIPTORS Computer Software; *Educational Television; Equipment Maintenance; *Interactive Video; *Videodisks; *Video Equipment ABSTRACT This overview of interactive videodisc techaology is designed to assist educators in finding the appropriate equipment and software for any specific application. The handbook may also serve as a starting point for many educators who know nothing of the technology and assist them in deciding whether this technology is worth pursuing as an educational tool in specific situations. Although not comprehensive, the listings reflect a good portion of the videodisc-related products available today and the prices provide a good indication of the general price range of specific items. The handbook contains 10 chapters: (1) Introduction to Videodiscs; (2) Overview of Laser Disc Systems; (3) Selecting a Laser Videodisc Player; (4) Video Playback Units; (5) Videodisc Interface Units; (6) Disc Player Peripherals; (7) Videodisc System Packages; (8) Educational Videodisc Software; (9) Interactive Videodisc Authoring Languages; and (10) Videodisc Care and Maintenance. Appendices include directories of laser disc players; television monitors and projects; laser disc interfaces; laser disc peripherals; laser disc system packages; videodisc software (listed by subject area); videodisc mastering options; interactive authoring languages; service information; and videodisc resources, which includes a manufacturer's index. (DJR) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research end Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION r CENTER (ERIC) Janos document has been reproduced u received from the person or organization 9 onginstong it 0 Minor changes have bean made to improve reproduction Quality Points of view or opinions stated in this docir merit do not necessarily repreuntofficial OfR1position or policy "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL IN MICROFICHE ONLY rr) HAS BEEN GRANTED BY L.Hayward TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." 41 I.. 61C MIN' I Jth-w 2 1'4 "'4.1.-." The Educators' Handbook lb Interactive Videodisc by Ed Schwartz mi Association for Educational Communications & lbchnology 3 Copyright ©1985 by Association for EducationalCommunications & 'Ibchnology All Rights Reserved Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 85-71983 ISBN 0-89240-049-8 Printed in the United States of America Published and Distributed by: Association for Educational Communications &Rchnology 1126 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 PREFACE This handbook is designed to be a source of in- formation for educators about interactive videodisc. It does not attempt to be a detailed reference of the technology. It is, rather, an overview of the technolo- gy, offering additional sources that you can consult for more detailed information. This should help edu- cators find the appropriate equipment and software for any specific application. The book also serves as a starting point for many educators who know nothing of the technology, and assists you in deciding wheth- er this technology is worth pursuing as an education- al tool in your specific situation. The listings of equipment and software contained here are the result of a search of the listed publica- tions, plus attendance at professional conferences. Al- though there may be other products available that are not included in this handbook, the listings nonethe- less reflect a good portion of the videodisc-related products available today. Because of the fast pace of the industry, many of the prices quoted here may have changed by the time this book is distributed. The prices listed do, however, still provide a good in- dication of the general price range of specific items. The products listed are all for use with NTSC (Ameri- can) standard television equipment unless otherwise specified. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Introduction to Videodiscs 1 Capacitance Systems Laser Systems 3 Chapter 2 Overview of Laser Disc Systems Hardware Overview Straight PlayLevel Zero Interactive: Level One Interactive: Level Two Interactive: Level Three Interactive: Level Four Chapter 3 Selecting a Laser Videodisc Player 6 Level Zero Players Level One Players Level Two Players Level Three Players Chapter 4 Video Playback Units 8 Television Receivers Television Monitors Television Projectors Chapter 5Videodisc Interface Units 10 Noncomputer Interfaces Computer Interfaces Chapter 6 Disc Player Peripherals 12 Graphic Overlay Still-Frame Audio Noise Reduction Input Devices Voice Synthesizers Chapter 7Videodisc System Packages 13 Chapter 8Educational Videodisc Software 14 Videodisc Mastering Chapter 9 Interactive Videodisc Authol i .6 Languages 15 Chapter 10 Videodisc Care and Maintenance 16 Videodisc Care System Environment Hardware Maintenance Appendix A Directory of Laser Disc Players 17 Current Level Zero Players Current Level One Players Current Level Two Players Current Level Three Players 6 Appendix B Directory of TelevisionMonitors and Television Projectors Television Monitors 22 Sell-Contained Television Projectors Mountable Television Projectors Appendix C Directory of Laser Disc Interfaces 29 Appendix D Directory of Laser Disc Peripherals 35 Graphic Overlay Devices Touch Screens Light Pens Voice Input Devices Voice Synthesizers Still-Frame Audio Devices Videodisc Audio Noise Reduction Systems Videodisc Changers Appendix E Directory of Laser Disc System Packages 41 Apple Computer Interactive VideodiscSystems Atari Computer Interactive VideodiscSystems PIATO Interactive Videodisc Systems DEC PRO 350 Computer Interactive VideodiscSystem MicroTICCIT Interactive Videodisc Systems IBM-PC Computer Interactive VideodiscSystems Sony SMC-70 Computer Interactive VideodiscSystems WICAT Interactive Videodisc Systems Appendix F Directory of Videodisc Software 47 Aeronautics Art Business Management Computer Science DanceBallet DanceInstruction Economics Electronics Elementary Education Elementary EducationChildren's Films Film Studies Finance Health Instruction History Horticulture Language Legal Education Mathematics MedicineCirculatory System MedicineHematology MedicineMicroscopy MedicineNervous System MedicineTrauma Training MedicineUltrasound MedicineUrology MusicInstruction MusicJazz MusicMusicals MusicOpera 7 MusicOrchestral MusicSolo/Ensemble Photography Physical EducationSelf-Defense Physical FitnessExercise Physical FitnessRelaxation and Running ScienceAnthropology Science InstructionBiology Science InstructionChemistry Science InstructionPhysics Science InstructionSpace Studies Special EducationSign Language Special Topics Television Appendix G Directory of Videodisc Mutering Options 82 Videodisc Sharing Small Volume Videodisc Mastering Facilities Large Volume Videodisc Mastering Facilities Appendix HDirectory of Interactive Authoring Languages 84 Appendix IService Information 86 Appendix JVideodisc Resources 87 Bibliography Conference and Workshop Index Manufacturers Index 8 I. INTRODUCTION TO VIDEODISCS Rapidly changing technology confronts an educa- damage to the surface of the disc can destroy it. Pro- tor with difficult choices in selecting new equipment tective sleeves are necessary to prevent damaged Will today's state-of-the-art equipment be tomorrow's discs. Even with protective sleeves, the disc is not im- Edsel? Obviously, educators must be careful in choos- mune to wear from the stylus and the signal will dete- ing a particular technology, making certain that it will riorate in quality after many plays. play an important functional role in the education In the early players, interactive functions were system. The laser videodisc system is such a technol- not possible. A later series of capacitance disc players ogy. Not all videodisc systems are either as flexible as offers many of the interactive functions previously the laser videodisc systems or viable for all of the found only in laser disc players. Unfortunately, the varied educational settings. The RCA capacitance sys- RCA systems still do not have the full interactive ca- tem, for example, which was removed from the mar- pabilities available on the laser systems. RCA quali- ket in the spring of 1984, was not suited to most in- fied the new capabilities of the players by stating that structional uses. RCA's decision to withdraw its ca- they "provide a variety of interactive applications," pacitance system left the laser technology as the only not all interactive applications. Some of these features working videodisc format available to American con- include the programed playing of any part of a disc sumers. by time or band; forward and reverse scan at 120 times normal speed in addition to the usual 16 times normal speed; dual channel (or stereo) audio that c. CAPACITANCE SYSTEMS be played separately; and a "page" feature that allc still framing on special discs that have been