o a charge, and then interprets that charge to camera circuitry. Color video cameras sample the RGB components of a scene to reproduce color. Single chip CCD cameras place a color filter directly on adjacent rows of imaging elements, to create a series of stripes. With three stripes (R, G, and B), it is possible to sample the scene directly through the same lens at precisely the same time on the same chip. Because components are not registered precisely in line (e.g., the red element is a row above the green), the result is mild optical distortion. In a three-CCD camera, the focused image is passed through a beam splitter, which allows each of the three chips to sample the full scene in each respective color for full resolution. The optical performance of the system is superior because each color sample uses the same precise optical alignment. If each chip were the same specification of the single chip camera, the spatial resolution in color could therefore be three times greater than that of the single chip. Technical Considerations Light sensitivity is important in cameras. Sensitivity is measured in lux; video cameras should offer, at least 2- 3-lux. This eliminates the need for special lighting and provides good depth of field, which keeps subjects in focus. Note that there is no standard method for measuring lux levels. However the camera's maximum aperture (f1.4, for instance) determines the lens' ability to capture light. Typically, room system cameras focus best when objects are 5-20' in distance. Within this range, people can move around freely without concern that image capture will be compromised. Zoom lenses are capable of variable focal lengths that range from wide-angle to telephoto. A lens specified as 12:1 (12X), for example, offers a maximum focal length ten times that of the minimum focal length. A large room requires a higher zoom ratio (with longer available focal lengths) than in a small room. In a small room, telephoto capabilities do not matter; the lens must zoom out for a wide angle of vi