Why is H.264 Scalable Video Coding changing the landscape of the video conferencing Industry?
Traditional videoconferencing technology typically requires the implementation of costly QoS network for the reliable transport of video traffic. Without a QoS network video traffic is highly susceptible to problems caused by network latency and congestion. If QoS is not an option on your network another option would be to implement a second overlay network just for IP video conferencing. Getting an IT staff to actually agree to do the configuration changes within the network infrastructure required for QoS can be a daunting task on its own. Justifying the cost of an overlay network is also difficult, these networks can be priced 2-3 times that of a typical Internet circuit. The beauty of H.264 svc technology is that its design enables it to perform well on most generic Internet pipes. This drastically reduces a company’s deployment costs for a video conferencing solution. One of the key benefits of an SVC based solution is its ability to dynamically adjust both resolution and frame rate actively during a video call. Froom personal experience I can tell you first hand the Scalable Video Coding (SVC) technology has been great, making high quality call from hotel rooms, airport waiting areas and while sipping drinks by the pool in the Caribbean. Non SVC solutions would normally experience severe packet loss resulting in an unusable call in these environments.
It’s pretty simple really, you get better video, over less bandwidth, with greater control. SVC solutions will make video conferencing systems a lot more accessable to small and meduim companies.
Call OmniPresence today (866) 999-1790 for a free consulation and let us show you why we are leading the way in our industy.
Posted on February 17th, 2010 by ahilliger
Filed under: Video Conference HD | 1 Comment »
Lifesize Communications recently launched the next generation of video communications with the 220 Series, that gives customers the very best quality video, 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second (fps), and 720p resolution at 60 fps. The 220 Series is available on the market today across al the three major Lifesize products: Express, Team, and Room.. The 220 Series also allows you to connect in 720p 30fps at as low bandwidth as 768 kbps. Probably the biggest surprise is that Lifesize kept these units at the same price as their 200 series, thus making Lifesize Series 220 products the clear price/performance leaders.
Lifesize Room 220 comes standard with a full HD 8-way Continuous Presence multipoint bridge, with up to four visible participants. The embedded MCU supports up to eight way 720p60/720p30 or six way 1080p30 continuous presence or voice activation mode. Simply put Lifesize has made great strides in the advancement of the capacity of the internal MCU on the Room 220. For ad-hoc calls or for occasional multipoint calling this is a great benefit. A customer that has many multipoint calls should still consider a hardware MCU or a Multipoint bridging service such as OmniPresence Video One solutions. The 220 series also has some other benefits. The Room 220 has increased the maximum point-to-point bandwidth to 8Mbps. You can connect a 2nd display on all 220 series systems. You have the ability to connect Lifesize conference phone. And the Room 220 includes H.239 People+Content support, allowing you to send high resolution PC graphics to all participants in the video call.
If you are still curious on what the right system is for you here is a good outline of how to determine this. LifeSize Express 220 is meant for the smaller conference rooms or branch offices. It is both affordable and scalable. It does not have a built in MCU. The LifeSize Team 220 is ideal for medium sized meeting rooms. It has a full HD Continuous Presence MCU for 4 participants (3 sites +yours). The Lifesize Room 220 is positioned for the Large Conference Room/Boardroom with full HD MCU up to 8 participants. It also will do a 8 Mbps point to point call.
Lifesize has done a nice job in keeping the product line simple while providing many advancements without an increase in cost.
Posted on October 20th, 2009 by dhofferty
Filed under: LifeSize, Video Conference HD | No Comments »
LifeSize Passport
+ Skype = 
LifeSize has also teamed up with Skype so that over 480 million registered Skype users can now communicate with LifeSize Passport.
Whether you work from a home office or you are a business traveler the new LifeSize Passport will change the way you do business. This system has the smallest footprint on the market and can be transported easily in your briefcase. It is simple to install with just a few cables to connect. The LifeSize Passport also provides you with the same superior video quality of 720p30 at 1 Mbps and better than DVD quality at lower bandwidths such as 384 kbps. The LifeSize Passport is priced to make it affordable to deploy this to every person in your organization that wants to telecommute. The LifeSize Passport with Focus camera is just $2499. You can also get the LifeSize Passport with a PTZ camera for $3499.
Let OmniPresence show you the power and flexibility of the LifeSize Passport in action. Call us for a free demo today! Toll Free Call 866-999-1790
**UPDATE **10-19-2009 LifeSize Communications released their newest line of Telepresence Quality products: LifeSize Room 220, LifeSize Team 220. and LifeSize Express 220
Posted on October 14th, 2009 by dhofferty
Filed under: High Definition (HD), LifeSize | No Comments »
Once again, LifeSize revolutionizes face-to-face HD video communications. Introducing LifeSize® Passport™ - the most flexible, affordable, easy-to-use HD video communications system – ever. LifeSize Passport is the first and only HD video to deliver telelpresence quality and unmatched simplicity at a price point that enables broad deployment to everyone in your organization. And with it’s compact form factor, LifeSize Passport is the first trulyportable telepresence quality system – Passport is so small, it fits in the palm of your hand. 
Optimized for personal offices, teleworkers and collaboration rooms.
- Simple installation and deployment
- Compact form factor and ultra quiet operation
Maximizes cost savings and productivity
- The fastest return on investment
- Priced for broad deployment to every knowledge worker in your organization
Superior quality of experience
- Telepresence quality, 720p30 encode and decode, at 1Mbps
- Unmatched simplicity and ease of use
LifeSize Passport Technical Specifications
- Point to point, 720p30, 16:9 video
- Support for Focus or PTZ camera (No digital zoom)
- SIP, H.323, Skype (audio)
- H.264, H.263, H.261, H.239 (receive)
- G.711, G.722, G.722.1 (Polycom© Siren14™), G.728, G.729, MPEG-4 –AAC-LC
- Built in ringer
- 128 Kbps – 2Mbps
- FCC Class B certification for Passport and Focus camera
Codec size
- Width: 206 mm (8.1”)
- Depth: 121 mm (4.7”)
- Height: 33 mm (1.3”)
- Weight: 0.45 Kg (1.0 lbs)
Posted on October 8th, 2009 by dhofferty
Filed under: High Definition (HD), LifeSize | No Comments »
There is a lot of confusion out there about Telepresence. What is it? How can it help my company? Why is it so expensive? What is the return on investment? These are just a few of the questions I hear from customers every day. For me the answer is simple. Telepresence is a high end AV Integration that deals in human factors like eye contact. The technology should be hidden or immersed. It needs to be easy to use and most importantly it needs to be reliable.
When we talk about reliability it is not just the equipment that you need to consider it is the video conferencing network infrastructure. What bandwidth is needed? Do you have QoS on your network? What about interoperability with your other systems. A design discussion needs to take place prior to any Telepresence deployment. There are solutions that will require more bandwidth than others. That is a cost that needs to be considered.
Finally, it is important to understand what your application is and how a Telepresence solution will help your company have a virtual meeting at a distance. For example, if you have executives meeting and collaborating around a table than a custom Telepresence solution is the right choice. If your doing training with an instructor at the front of the room or your company uses this room for a number of different types of meetings than this may not be a good fit. A dedicated room or rooms that are dedicated to only doing Telepresence meetings is the optimal way to go.
Posted on September 10th, 2009 by dhofferty
Filed under: AV Integration, Video Conference HD | No Comments »
Does your organization value high quality video and audio communications?
The Polycom HDX 8006 is an advanced solution for the boardroom, meeting room or classroom that delivers industry-leading performance and high definition video and audio exceeding the expectations of even our most demanding cliental. The quality of UltimateHD technology coupled with HD voice and HD content make this video conferencing solution one of the best on the market. It’s advanced and flexible architecture supports multiple applications and environments. This unit will support up to four participants in a single conference in high definition while the simplified dialing directory and data sharing interface make collaborating easier than ever.
As video collaboration and conferencing expand beyond the conference room, HDX Packaged Solutions provide turnkey flexibility and power to deliver enriched, high definition meeting experiences whenever, wherever requirements demand.
Polycom HDX8006 Features and Benefits
· Advanced HD video technology, outstanding video in 4CIF, 720p30/60 or 1080p
· Manage, schedule, and provision the Polycom HDX 7000 series with the Polycom CMA solution
· Standards-based presence capabilities when used with the Polycom CMA solution
· Polycom StereoSurround™ technology, using 22kHz audio, delivers crisp, natural voice clarity
· Make quality video calls across your network or over the public internet with Polycom’s Lost Packet Recovery™
· Share content with remote sites in unique ways, including sharing PC data and information from other video sources
Call OmniPresence today and realize the RIO our customers have been enjoying for years!
Posted on August 4th, 2009 by ahilliger
Filed under: High Definition (HD), Polycom, Video Conference HD | No Comments »
