This service is for faculty.
A HoverCam is a high quality Document Camera and Web Camera that is available within all classrooms at St. Thomas.
Faculty use a hovercam for many reasons including the following:
- Display student work
- Demonstrate filling out a form / worksheet
- Display a physical object or book
- Zoom in a guest speaker
- Zoom in a remote student
- Host an online class session
- Basic Lecture Capture
How to use a HoverCam as a document camera?
- Login to the the St. Thomas classroom computer
- Launch the Hovercam Flex 10 software to get started
More info is here: http://www.thehovercam.com/media/manuals/flex10.pdf
How to use a HoverCam as a Web Camera?
Open your Web Conferencing software
- Launch Zoom or your preferred web conferencing product
- In your video settings, select HoverCam as the camera
On the HoverCam device itself, we recommend the following settings:
- Extend the Hovercam up to the right so that it is completely vertical
![Extend the hovercam up to the right](https://services.stthomas.edu/TDPortal/Images/Viewer?fileName=300ed8f8-b819-401d-938f-9223c2e453cf.png)
- The wheel turns the video image 90 degrees. It is helpful to know where the microphone and webcam are located.
![Microphone and webcam are located at the top end of the HoverCam](https://services.stthomas.edu/TDPortal/Images/Viewer?fileName=a52872de-9fa3-47b9-a8f0-7c07be1caf17.png)
- If your image is flipped upside down, press the middle button on the base to flip the image 180 degrees so it is oriented properly.
![The middle button on the base of a hovercam will flip the image 180 degrees](https://services.stthomas.edu/TDPortal/Images/Viewer?fileName=0957cda5-c88e-43ca-80fe-26e66aa587ff.png)
- Press the AF-L button to lock the auto focus. Otherwise, the focus will wander in and out while in use.
Tip: Stand outside the frame of the shot while pressing the button, or else it will lock the focus too close.
![The AF-L button locks the auto focus](https://services.stthomas.edu/TDPortal/Images/Viewer?fileName=7f5e74be-4d16-4467-8c0e-3422a6f4f3b0.png)
Troubleshooting
While in operation, refrain from physically moving a Hovercam. If you do, please do so gently. Moving the unit may cause loss of video signal. If the video image is lost during operation, unplug and re-plug the USB cable to re-establish connection. (See image below for a demonstration for where to unplug and re-plug the cord).
![Demonstration of how to plug and unplug the hovercam power cord from the base](https://services.stthomas.edu/TDPortal/Images/Viewer?fileName=ce0f9ed5-e414-452f-872e-c8154b817096.jpg)
To report a problem or receive additional troubleshooting, please contact the
Tech Desk.