Merlin TM User’s Manual • • • Standard Merlin Merlin VGA Merlin with Color Select
Table of Contents About Your Merlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Safety and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 Merlin at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Setting Up Merlin with TV Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Setting Up Merlin with VGA Monitor . . . . . .
About Your Merlin Congratulations on your purchase of Merlin from Enhanced Vision. Merlin is a full-color, auto-focus video magnifier system designed to enhance the lifestyle of the visually impaired. Merlin enables individuals with low vision to read, write, view photos, enjoy crafts and hobbies, and more – in color, black-and-white, or enhanced highcontrast positive or negative viewing modes.
Safety and Care To obtain the most benefit and life from your Merlin, please read these safety precautions very carefully. Merlin is designed to enlarge and enhance images in order to offer improvement in the quality of life for people with visual impairment. The extent to which Merlin can improve the ability to see images depends on a person’s individual condition and level of visual impairment. Merlin is not designed to restore vision, correct eye conditions or halt degenerative vision loss.
Safety and Care • Use only the power supply provided with your Merlin. Using an unauthorized power supply may cause serious damage to Merlin’s electronic components. To Move Merlin to Another Location • If you are repositioning Merlin a short distance across a desk or table, make sure you do not pull on any power cords or connector cables.
Merlin at a Glance Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the components of your Merlin: 1. Monitor (shown: EVS 14" color video monitor) 2. Monitor power button 3. Merlin 4. Merlin power button 5. Viewing Mode button 6. Magnification dial 7. Preset/Object Locator button 8. Focus Lock/Auto-Focus button 9. X-Y table 10. X-Y table locking lever 11. Recessed handles for carrying Merlin 12. Video cable 13. Power supply and power cord 14.
Merlin at a Glance 1 2 3 8 6 7 5 4 9 10 11 13 12 5 14
Setting Up Merlin with TV Monitor figure 1 figure 2 A 1. Find a steady and level location, such as a table or desk, where you will be comfortable using Merlin. 2. Carry Merlin only by the two recessed handles on the sides of the base for a secure grip. Place it on the table or desk. (Figure 1) Place the TV monitor on the platform. (Figure 2) 3. Use the video cable to connect the monitor to Merlin.
Setting up Merlin with VGA Monitor 1. Find a steady and level location, such as a table or desk, where you will be comfortable using Merlin. 2. Carry Merlin only by the two recessed handles on the sides of the base for a secure grip. Place it on the table or desk (Figure 1). Based on personal preference, you may want to attach or detach the VGA Monitor’s stand before placing the monitor on top of the platform. Place the VGA monitor on the platform. (Figure 2) figure 1 3.
Setting up Merlin with VGA Monitor 7. Place your material such as a book, newspaper, or photograph, on the movable X-Y table. 8. Selecting Display – figure 5 To select display from the Merlin video magnifier or your computer you must use the toggle switch located under the upper control panel on the left side of the front of the unit. (Figure 5 and Figure 5A) To use the Merlin video magnifier the switch must be set forward, towards you, to show zero, “0.
Turning on Merlin #2 #1 Merlin Power Button The Power button on your Merlin is located on the far right of the control panel. (#1 above) • Press the Power button. A green light will illuminate, indicating the power is on. Power Button on an Enhanced Vision Monitor On a monitor supplied by Enhanced Vision, the Power button is located in the lower right front corner of the monitor. (#2 above) • Press the Power button. A light will illuminate, indicating the power is on.
Changing Viewing Mode Selecting a Viewing Option You can choose a viewing option by pressing the Mode button on the control panel. Each push will change your viewing option. If you keep pressing the button you will cycle through all four options. These options are: Full Color Image This mode is used most often because it gives you a true color representation of the image that is being magnified. When Merlin is first turned on, it displays the image in full color.
Changing Magnification figure 1 You can increase or decrease the size of the image by using the Magnification dial at the center of the control panel. (Figure 1) There are sixteen levels of magnification available on Merlin. • To increase the size of the image, turn the dial clockwise, or to the right. • To decrease the size of the image, turn the dial counterclockwise, or to the left. SIZE-7 The size you selected will be displayed in the upper left corner of your monitor.
Setting Magnification Presets #1 #2 At the factory, your Merlin has been preset at magnification levels 4 and 11. However, you can program Merlin to your two favorite levels, and change those levels at any time. Using the Preset Button Merlin’s Preset Button is used for three operations: 1) to switch between two different magnification presets; 2) to run the Object Locator feature; 3) to select an option when programming or training Merlin.
Setting Magnification Presets Your two favorite magnification sizes have now been programmed. On the voice recognition model, Merlin will verbally confirm each selection. The level set with the Magnification dial overrides sizes arrived at by using the Preset button. For example, if the Magnification dial is set to size 8 and then you press Preset to go to a smaller size, the next time you turn the Magnification dial to increase or decrease size it will immediately go to that new size.
Intelligent Focus Lock When Merlin is turned on, it is automatically set on auto focus. This is the most convenient setting for everyday activities, such as reading anything from a single page to a thick book, reading a prescription bottle, or working with arts and crafts. Focus lock allows you to maintain focus on a specific object at a fixed distance, such as writing. Merlin’s Intelligent Focus Lock feature will automatically refocus on the object you are viewing after changing magnification size.
Using the X-Y Table Locking the X-Y Table To lock the X-Y table, slide the lever all the way to the right until it clicks and locks (A). Unlock the X-Y table by sliding the lever to the right again and release the lever (B). A B Reading With the X-Y Table 1. With the X-Y table unlocked, place a book, newspaper, etc., on the table. 2. Use the Object Locator feature (see Page 13) and move the X-Y table to position the start of your reading in the approximate center of the monitor screen. 3.
Tips for Reading and Writing Reading with Merlin • New users of video magnifier systems have a tendency to over-magnify their reading material. Make the type large enough to see it comfortably, but not so large that it becomes tedious to scan across a page. • Use the X-Y table to move reading materials under the camera, rather than moving the material manually, except small items such as a checkbook or a business card.
Programming Setup Options #3 #1 #2 If you have chosen the voice recognition model of Merlin, you can program Merlin’s setup options. There are six options you can select in setup mode: Exit, Screen Messages, Voice Messages, Recognition, Train Me and Reserved. Entering Setup 1. Turn the Magnification dial (#1 above) all the way counterclockwise, to the lowest size. This will start you at the beginning of the menu when you enter setup. 2. Press and hold the Mode button (#2).
Programming Setup Options #2 #1 Training Merlin for Voice Recognition 1. After you have entered setup, turn the Magnification dial (#1 above) clockwise or to the right to scroll through menu options until the words “TRAIN ME” appear. TRAIN-ME 2. Press the Preset button (#2) to select that option. 3. Merlin will request that you speak the words “change,” “bigger,” and “smaller” two times each, and will verbally confirm when that process is complete.
Merlin with Color Select Merlin with Color Select was designed to provide optimum visibility for people with certain visual conditions by offering an expanded range of choices in both text and background colors. S-video technology, which has been incorporated into Merlin, provides you with higher resolution image and brighter, vivid colors that you can take advantage of while using in color select or full-color mode.
Merlin with Color Select Merlin Color Select Now that you have familiarized yourself with the standard viewing modes, let’s walk through how to choose a viewing mode and program color select options. You can familiarize yourself with the front control panel below. LOCK PRESET SIZE MODE POWER Choosing a Viewing Mode As described in the Merlin User’s Manual, you can change viewing modes by simply pressing the MODE button on the front console of your Merlin.
Merlin with Color Select Programming Color Select Options With Merlin turned on, place a piece of reading material on the base table so that it appears on your monitor at a magnification size that is comfortable for viewing. Follow these steps to program Color Select options: Step 1) Press and hold the MODE button until the words “ENTERING SETUP” appear on your monitor. Step 2) Turn the MAGNIFICATION dial clockwise to scroll through the various menu options.
Merlin with Color Select Programming Color Select Options continued Step 7) If you are finished, turn the MAGNIFICATION dial to EXIT and press PRESET to leave the setup menu and return to normal use of your Merlin. NOTE: If you are in the process of reprogramming an existing Color Select mode, but after scrolling through the available choices (steps 3 and 4 above) you decide to keep the existing color combination, turn the MAGNIFICATION dial to “EXIT”. Press the PRESET button.
Using Voice Recognition Using Voice Recognition • To change magnification size, simply say “bigger” or “smaller.” Repeat as needed to reach the size you desire, pausing between commands to allow Merlin to complete each movement. Merlin is programmed to switch between sizes 1 (minimal), 4, 7, 10, 13 and 16 (maximum) on your command. For example, if you are at level 2 and say “bigger,” Merlin will increase to level 4. • To change viewing mode, simply say “change.
Troubleshooting No Power to Merlin • Push the Power button on Merlin’s control panel. A green light next to the Power button should turn on, indicating the power is ON. • Make sure the power supply cord is completely plugged into an outlet. • Make sure the two parts of the power supply cord are securely connected. • Make sure the power supply cord is completely plugged into the DC 12V IN jack on the back of the viewing stand base.
Troubleshooting X-Y Table Does Not Move Smoothly • Make sure the locking lever is positioned completely to the left. See Page 15 X-Y Table Does Not Stay in Locked Position • Make sure the locking lever is all the way to the right and that the handle pops up into the locking slot. See Page 15 Using a Non-EVS or Additional TV/Monitor • If you choose to use a TV or monitor other than one from EVS, it must have an RCA-style VIDEO IN jack, either on the back or the front, to work with Merlin.
Other Enhanced Vision Products Jordy – Two Low Vision Systems in One For distance, intermediate and near viewing. Magnification: 1X – 30X Four viewing modes for optimum visibility: Color, Black/White, Enhanced Positive, Enhanced Negative Jordy Docking Stand (optional) Magnification: 4X – 40X Acrobat The Acrobat's innovative rotating camera design enables people with low vision to perform daily tasks more effectively.
Other Enhanced Vision Products Flipper – The Ultimate in Flexibility Read, write, get more out of life! Our innovative camera design lets you magnify in almost any position with images in full color. Magnification: 1X – 44X* *With optional stand Available with Color and Black & White Display Modes FlipperPanel This powerful, portable magnifier integrates the Flipper 225-degree rotating camera with a slim, LCD platform.
Other Enhanced Vision Products FlipperStand The Flipper Stand is compatible with both the Flipper and FlipperPort products. The Flipper Stand extends the flexibility of these products by elevating Flipper to 15 inches on a platform which allows users to view materials easily in classroom or audience settings. The Stand also converts quickly to a desktop Video Magnifier once the user points the Flipper camera down towards the table. Max – Powerful Magnifier A powerful magnifier for reading.
Other Enhanced Vision Products MaxPanel This powerful, portable magnifier integrates the Max digital magnifier with a slim, LCD platform. Powered by an innovative battery pack, the MaxPanel runs up to 5 hours without recharging. The discrete camera projects an auto-focus image on the screen (in full-color or black and white depending on model), enabling you to read anywhere.
Warranty Enhanced Vision Merlin Video Magnifier Warranty Policy Enhanced Vision products are designed to give you the highest quality image, convenient features, ease of use and reliable service. Merlin has been inspected and tested prior to shipping. Our company stands behind the quality materials, components and workmanship of the Merlin video magnifier. For these reason we are pleased to offer two warranty options. These options are available when the purchaser completes the warranty registration form.
Warranty In the case that the end-consumer / original individual resells the Merlin within a 3 year time period from original purchase date and the product is resold by a recognized manufacturer representative, the Merlin warranty will default to the balance of what remains of the standard 3 year warranty (from original purchase date). The lifetime warranty would be void. Consider the example below: After one year Mary Smith’s vision deteriorates past using the Merlin to assist her.
The Merlin video magnifier is designed to enlarge and enhance images to improve the lives of people who have low vision. The extent to which Merlin can improve the ability to see images and text depends on a person’s individual condition and level of visual impairment. Merlin is not designed to restore vision, correct eye conditions or halt degenerative vision loss. An eyecare professional can best determine the suitability of Merlin for a patient’s specific condition.
