Multimedia Equipment

Technology Support Desk offers equipment booking, collection and return at our Cook Library location  (CK0404C).

Current students, faculty and staff can use our digital cameras and other multi-media equipment, reservable through our online booking system, ORBS. You can also sign up for demos and workshops in the system. Some equipment is also available from the TUNE Computer Lab. 

See Knowledge Base articles on how to sign into the system, book resources, cancel a booking or edit a booking.

Resources

ORBS includes documentation and videos for most of our resources; you can access this information before booking or use the documentation links included in the your booking confirmation email. All email messages will be sent to your TU email address, and you must present your TU OneCard in order to collect equipment or use lab-based resources.

Circulating Resources: Cameras, Tripods, Microphones, etc.

Our circulating resources may be used anywhere, on or off campus, for up to four days at a time. Prompt collection and return of equipment is expected. Repeated late returners will have borrowing privileges suspended.

Before booking equipment through ORBS, please review reservation guidelines, terms and conditions at the bottom of this page; they are designed to offer fair, dependable access to as many borrowers as possible.

Circulating Resources Summary

Audio Recorders

• Zoom H2 Digital Audio Recorders (DAR) / USB Microphones
• Zoom H1 Digital Audio Recorders (DAR) / USB Microphones

Microphones

• audio-technica Pro 88W Wireless Lavalier Mic
  
• MDrill One Pro USB Mic
• Polsen OLM-10 Wired Lavalier Mic
• Rode Podcaster USB Mic
• Zoom H2 DAR in USB Mic Mode
• Zoom H1 DAR in USB Mic Mode

Cameras, Fixed Lens

• Sony HDR-CX560 Camcorder
• Sony HDR-CX550 Camcorder
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5 Waterproof Camera
• Kodak Zi8 Pocket Camcorders
• Logitech Pro 9000 USB Webcams

Cameras, DSLR & Mirrorless

• Canon EOS 90D w Canon 18-135 Zoom Lens
• Canon EOS 80D w Canon 18-135 Zoom Lens
• Canon EOS 70D w Canon 18-135 Zoom Lens
• Canon EOS 60D w Canon 18-135 Zoom Lens
• Sony Alpha 6300 Mirrorless w Sony 16-50 Zoom Lens

Cameras, Action & Spherical

• GoPro HERO6 Black Action Camera
• GoPro 5.2K Fusion Spherical Camera
• 360fly 4K Spherical Camera
• RICOH Theta V Spherical Camera
• Samsung Gear360 Spherical Camera
• GoPro Chest Harness
• GoPro Flex Clamp
• GoPro Head Strap
• GoPro Suction Mount

Tripods & Stabilizers

• Manfrotto/Bogen 3001BPRO Tripod w Pan Head
• SLIK 700DX Tripods w Pan Head
• Sony VCT-R640 Tripods w Pan Head
• Manfrotto Smartphone Tripods w Ball Head

Virtual Reality Headsets

• Shinecon VR Headsets (require your Smartphone)

Lights & Set Equipment

• Genaray LED-6200T Video Light Kit

Non-circulating Resources: Studios, Printers, Scanners, etc.

Our non-circulating resources are used within our facilities only and include large, fragile or complex devices. Most of these items are bookable through ORBS.

Prompt collection is required. Items not collected within 15 minutes of the booking start time will automatically become available to others. If you are running late, log into ORBS and edit your booking or call 410-704-5151. Staff will collect and hold your TU OneCard until you return the resource. Removal of non-circulating equipment from our facilities will result in suspension of borrowing privileges. 

Non-Circulating Resources Summary

Technology Support Desk Studios

• Studio A (7'x12') for Audio and Small-Scale Video/Photo Production
  
• Studio B (7'x12') for Audio and Small-Scale Video/Photo Production
  
• Studio C (12'x25') for Group and Large-Scale Video/Photo Recording
  

Power Station Computers

• Technology Support Desk Power Station A for high-performance applications
• Technology Support Desk Power Station B for high-performance applications

Headphones

• Gemini DJX-05 & DJX-07 Headphones
• Sony MDRV6 Headphones

Scanners

• Canon LiDE110 Color Flatbed Scanner
• Epson 3490 Color Flatbed Scanner
• Epson V700 Photo Scanner
• QR Code Mats for Qlone 3D Scanning App

Virtual Reality Equipment*

• Oculus Rift VR Headset & Controllers
• HTC Vive VR Headset & Controllers
• Oculus Quest VR Headset & Controllers
• *Currently available during weekly OTS Reality Check events and by faculty request

Printers (by Appointment)

• HP Designjet Z5400 42" Large-Format Inkjet Printers
• Ultimaker 3 and S5 Printers

Misc Input & Output Devices

• Blu-ray Disc Burners USB
• M-Audio Axiom 49 USB/MIDI Keyboard
• Kensington USB Trackball 

Emerging Technology

Imersive video, 3D printing, extended (AR, VR and MR) reality experiences, and complex data processing for 3D  modeling are all examples of emerging technologies are used by groups at TU. The Office of Technology Services (OTS) and the Faculty Academic Center of Excellence at Towson (FACET) are working together to provide the campus with support and access to existing equipment.

Students

To use TU’s equipment for academic and scholarly projects or for training on how to operate it, contact the Technology Support Desk.

Faculty

To use TU’s equipment or for training on how to operate it, contact the Technology Support Desk. Faculty can learn how to integrate emerging technology into their courses, get answers to general faculty-specific questions and provide feedback by visiting FACET’s webpage.

OTS Virtual Reality Checks

During regular semesters, we hold virtuality reality open houses called OTS Virtual Reality Checks. Join us for one or more of these free sessions to try-out our available Virtual Reality (VR) systems, Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest. Gain insight into VR and its potential academic and skill development applications.

Walk-in participants are welcome, but those who sign-up using the OTS Reality Check form receive priority access. Each participant must sign a liability waiver and will be spotted by a staff member.

Desk Power Station Computers

Our Dell Precision 5820 workstations are configured and optimized for high-performance computing applications such as spherical and immersive video production, photogrammetry, high-definition video rendering, and large data file processing and analysis. The current configuration includes: 

• Intel Core i9-9980XE CPU @ 3.00 GHz and 32GB DRAM
• Nvidia Quadro P5000 16GB GPU
• 1TB SSD (user files removed after booking)
• Windows 10 Enterprise 64-bit OS
• Applications include Adobe CC Master Collection, Rhino CAD, Black Magic DaVinci Resolve, GoPro Fusion Studio, GoPro VR Player, SPSS, and more
  

To reserve a Desk Power Station for up to 24 hours:

1. Sign into ORBS at towson.edu/scsorbs. 
2. Select Make Booking, set What would you like to book? to Rooms, set your desired times, and click Search Assets.
3. Select Computers (COM), click Book, describe your intended use under Notes, and click Book. ORBS will send you an email confirmation.

Technology Support Desk Power Stations are intended for computing projects that cannot be efficiently completed using a computer with a more conventional configuration. Technology Support Desk reserves the right to cancel Power Station bookings that do not demonstrate a need for this level of processing power.

Booking Guidelines

Because our supply of high-demand resources is limited, OTS Technology Support Desk cancels bookings that do not adhere to our guidelines. Our goal is to make our resources available to the largest possible number of borrowers and to prevent unfair booking practices. You may make only one booking at a time for a particular type of kit. For example, you may not make three, back-to-back bookings in order to have the kit for 12 days. On the final day of a booking, you may log into ORBS and renew/extend the booking for up to four additional days, if it's available. If the kit is not available, you must return it on time as agreed to avoid suspension of privileges. If you are planning a multi-camera shoot, you may request an exception to this rule by emailing scspro AT_TOWSON well in advance of your need.

Terms & Conditions

By borrowing any equipment from Towson University (TU) Office of Technology Services (OTS) Technology Support Desk, you agree to the following:  

1. I attest that I am a current TU student, faculty or staff member and that I possess a valid TU OneCard identification. 
2. I agree to take all reasonable steps to safeguard the equipment from damage and theft and to return all of the equipment in the same condition I received it on or before the due date and time indicated in my Booking Confirmation email. Further, I agree to adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy, all applicable TU policies and procedures, the Technology Support Desk Guidelines for Equipment Care, and the Guidelines for Late Returns (below).
3. I acknowledge my understanding that if I do not return the borrowed equipment by the due date and time referenced above, Technology Support Desk reserves the right to deny my future borrowing requests. 
4. I acknowledge and agree that if I do not return the borrowed equipment within seven calendar days of the due date, Technology Support Desk will suspend my booking privileges indefinitely. 
5. I acknowledge and agree that if I have not returned the borrowed equipment within fourteen calendar days of the due date, I will be invoiced for the replacement cost of the equipment through the Student & University Billing Office, and may be subject to collections. 
6. I acknowledge my understanding that if I fail to pick up equipment without canceling the booking, Technology Support Desk reserves the right to deny my future borrowing requests. 
7. I acknowledge my understanding that this equipment is state funded and should only be use for academic or extra-curricular learning projects and that use of this equipment for charge-for-service private business activities will result in suspension of borrowing and referral to Office of Student Accountability & Restorative Practices.
8. I acknowledge my understanding that TU, OTS and Technology Support Desk are not responsible for file or media loss due to equipment malfunction or misuse. 
9. Technology Support Desk routinely deletes all borrower content (i.e., image, audio and video files) from returned equipment. I understand and agree that it is my responsibility to transfer any files to my own computer or storage device and to delete files from the equipment before returning it.  
10. I am borrowing and using this equipment and all components at my own risk. TU will not be responsible for any damages resulting therefrom. 

Guidelines for Late Returns

Another borrower’s delay in returning equipment might prevent you from completing an important assignment or project on time. Your delay in returning equipment will have the same effect on others. Consequently, we regard your due date and time very seriously and ask that you call us immediately (410-704-5151) should an emergency prevent you from returning equipment on time. 

If you do not return borrowed equipment at or before the due date and time in your confirmation email, the equipment shall be OVERDUE.

1. After 30 minutes, the system will send you a friendly reminder email.
2. After 12 hours, the system will send you an OVERDUE notice describing the Technology Support Desk overdue procedures and restating the Terms & Conditions for borrowing equipment.
3. Within 24 hours, Technology Support Desk staff will create a TechHelp SR logging the incident; you will receive a copy of this via email. The SR will be used to log telephone and other non-automated communications.
4. Every 12 hours, the system will send you another OVERDUE notice; this will continue for 7 days or until you return the resource, whichever comes first. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RETURNED the equipment and believe our records are incorrect, by all means, let us know at scspro AT_TOWSON.
5. After 2 days of OVERDUE notices, the system will ban you from making additional bookings and send you a BOOKING PRIVILEGES SUSPENDED notice (email).
6. After 7 days of OVERDUE notices, Technology Support Desk will regard the resource as stolen and permanently ban you from booking Technology Support Desk resources.
7. After 14 overdue days, TU will invoice you for the replacement value of the equipment through the TU Student & University Billing Office. Like other university fines, an unpaid balance could block registration or graduation. 

When you return equipment late, we assign you 1 demerit per day, per item. If you accumulate 6 demerits, we will suspend your borrowing privileges for 2 months. The suspension is enacted via a system ban; thus, you will not be able to book circulating equipment OR lab-based resources for the ban period. The point of suspension is to remove less responsible users from the borrowing pool to reduce their impact on more responsible users. 

Abandoned Bookings

When you make a booking, you designate a pick-up/collection time:

• For circulating equipment, if you have not picked up the equipment within one hour of your scheduled collection time, your booking will automatically cancel.
• For non-circulating resources (e.g., studios, scanners, ect.), if you have not reported to Technology Support Desk within 20 minutes of your scheduled collection time, your booking will automatically cancel.