The Brief: Belkin’s Desktop Internet Phone allows Skype calls to be made simply, by plugging straight into a wired/wireless router or live Ethernet port. The internet phone can store 500 contacts and initiates automatic login to Skype when your PC is started.
The Catch: The $99.99 price tag is not too bad, but we have been here before (kinda), and we were a little uninspired. Time will tell.
We were already quite aware that Creative would be pimping its inPerson here at CES, so it wasn’t exactly a chore to grab a few hands-on pics when we dropped by the booth. No real surprises or anything, but be sure and hit the gallery below to see it doin’ its thang.
via [Engadget]
Certainly not the first of its kind, Yahama’s PJP-25UR is arriving a little late to the VoIP speakerphone party. Nevertheless, this sleek (comparatively speaking, of course) looking alternative is sure to have top-level managers smiling, as it provides a pair of swing-out microphones to compliment the main mic in the middle, stereo speakers, an audio in / out jack and the ability to get all the juice it needs from a powered USB port (or optional AC adapter). The 1.25-pound unit is slated to ship out in December and put a ¥63,000 ($547) dent in the corporate budget, but that’s a small price to pay for all the surefire productivity that comes from yet another mundane meeting, right?
[Via Digital-Lifestyles]
Microsoft RoundTable is a very cool videoconferencing system featuring 360° panoramic views powered by its 5 built-in cameras. Microsoft sent me a RoundTable system for review. I figured I may as well install it in one of TMC’s two conference rooms to have some “real world” testing scenarios. After plugging in the various cables, including a USB cable to the host PC, I then installed the Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007 (LM 2007) beta software client, which was designed to handle the RoundTable’s 360° panoramic cameras. I should point out that Microsoft is offering both a hosted model for Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007 as well as a CPE (customer premise equipment) solution, namely Office Communications Server 2007 (OCS 2007). The RoundTable can work with either. However, I tested it with a Microsoft Office Live Meeting online beta account.
The RoundTable actually installs two USB camera devices. The first is the Active Speaker which uses the RoundTable’s 6 microphones to locate where in the room the active speaker is and then focus one of the 5 cameras onto that person. I suspect it may actually use 2 cameras to focus on a person, since it always appears that the speaker is “centered” which probably would require at least 2 camera images and then the images are “spliced” together, processed, and then transmitted over the USB cable. The second USB camera device is the panoramic camera which combines the 5 camera images into a single panoramic image.
Next, I initiated a Live Meeting session in the conference room and went back to my desk to join the meeting. Unbeknownst to me, by the time I got to my desk, some TMC sales team members walked into the conference room to start a meeting. When I launched my LM 2007 client I saw Anthony Graffeo, one of TMC’s sales staff staring right into one of the 5 triangular mirrors located just above the cameras. I headed over the conference room to tell them I could see and hear everything that was going on. After giving a brief demo, Anthony said, “that thing is awesome!”. I heard similar comments from other TMCers over the next few days – including “That thing is cool” and “Wow! What is that?”
During my tests with Office Live Meeting 2007, I was able to see the entire conference room in the panoramic view. The other video view is the “active speaker” and it would change to whoever was speaking. It was actually quite accurate and surprisingly fast. When I tested it with Rich Tehrani, Joe Fabiano, Mike Genaro, and Dave Rodriguez, we all took turns speaking and the camera view would almost instantly switch.
Overall, the video quality was excellent, Very smooth. Later on I did some more tests with just me in the conference room. I tried to trick the cameras by snapping my fingers above the microphone and the video wouldn’t switch. I figured it must be using a combination of audio and video cues to determine the active speaker. A quick glance in the manual reveals, “To avoid switching to a non-human sound source, the video functions to assist in determining whether the sound detected is coming from an attendee or some other source.” Answers that question!
Below is a Flash demo demonstrating the active speaker functionality. When I ran this test, I did it by myself and just walked around the conference room while continuing to speak. I will make a 2nd video with several fellow TMCers if I can get some volunteers. This would better demonstrate the active speaker feature. Also, the video I did record appears much jerkier than it actually was live. Part of that is because it was my first time using Camtasia Studio to capture the screen & audio, so I only had it set to 15fps (not 30fps). Secondly, the PC I was recording on isn’t the greatest, so I’m sure Camtasia skipped a few video frames since it the processor was taxed. Nevertheless, this video gives you a good feel for the active speaker functionality.
he base has an LCD touch-screen that serves as a dialpad and to configure various options. An external dialpad is available as well, but I didn’t get one with my unit, so not sure if that’s an extra option. The LCD touch-screen dialpad seems good enough to me. Physical buttons also exist to increase/decrease speaker volume, a mute audio / halt video button, Flash button, on/off hook, and an Information button. There is also a privacy cap that goes on top of the unit to block the cameras and prevent anyone from viewing the conference room.
Although the Microsoft RoundTable was designed for Office Live Meeting 2007 & OCS 2007, since it is simply 2 separate USB camera devices in the Device Manager, I figured it would most likely work with other videoconferencing, audioconferencing, or VoIP software. So I fired up Skype on the conference room PC and went into the video wizard. I tried the panoramic device first, but all that was displayed was a black screen. Then I changed it to the active speaker USB camera device and it worked. I made a test Skype call to the Microsoft Roundtable, again with some fellow TMC’ers and the active speaker functionality worked just as well in Skype. Obviously, it’s the RoundTable hardware performing the video switching and not LM 2007. Also, I was able to use Skype’s “full screen” video mode and it had extremely high-resolution video with very fast frame rates. Here’s a screenshot of Skype in action viewing the RoundTable video:
Microsoft designed RoundTable to equalize the varying light levels when one part of the conference room is darker than another. In fact, TMC’s conference room has sunlight coming in the window and I noticed the RoundTable was able to do a pretty good job equalizing the light across the entire room.
The Microsoft RoundTable features both an RJ11 (phone) and an RJ45 (network) jack. The RJ11 wire lets you connect to a PSTN line and use the RoundTable as a high-end conference room speakerphone. The RoundTable lets you place outgoing calls, answer an incoming call, conduct a video conference with audio from the microphones or a video-only session with no audio from the microphones. In the video-only mode you can use the PSTN line or even your cell phone for the audio portion.
I like the aesthetic design of the Microsoft RoundTable. It is one cool looking device. Reminds me of the alien spaceships in H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds movie (the original 1953 movie, not the Tom Cruise remake). Compare for yourself! Both have “eyes” and both have a long neck connected to the main base.
Interestingly, the RoundTable doesn’t aim its 5 cameras directly at you. As previously mentioned, it uses triangular mirrors. I’m not sure if this was done because people are more relaxed and natural if they don’t think a camera is staring right back at them or if it was simply for aesthetic design that Microsoft chose to use mirrors. I did some research on the history of the RoundTable and discovered it was previously called the Ringcam. During Microsoft’s research, they had some interesting “beta” versions before the final RoundTable, including these two below. Note how both models point cameras directly outward. I definitely prefer the less obtrusive “mirror” version in the production model. I tried to take apart the RoundTable to see the inner guts of the camera head, but the damn thing is glued on or something since I couldn’t find any screws.
Even more interesting in a Microsoft Research PDF article it talks about head-size spatial equalization. That is, making sure everyone’s head is equally big in the videoconference even if a person is further from the camera. The article has several diagrams and complex trigonometry formulas (sin & cos functions) that bring back high school. The article states the following:
In the past a few years, there has been a lot of interest in the use of omni-directional cameras for video conferencing and meeting recording. While a panoramic view is capable of capturing every participant’s face, one drawback is that the image sizes of the people around the meeting table are not uniform in size due to the varying distances to the camera. Figure 1 shows a 360 degree panorama image of a meeting room. The table size is 10×5 feet. The person in the middle of the image appears very small compared to the other two people because he is further away from the camera.
This has two consequences. First, it is difficult for the remote participants to see some faces, thus negatively affecting the video conferencing experience. Second, it is a waste of the screen space and network bandwidth because a lot of the pixels are used on the background instead of on the meeting participants. As image sensor technology rapidly advances, it is possible to design inexpensive high-resolution (more than 2000 horizontal pixels) omni-directional video cameras [1]. But due to network bandwidth and user’s screen space, only a smaller-sized image can be sent to the clients. Therefore how to effectively use the pixels has become a critical problem in improving the video conferencing experience.
Spatially-varying-uniform (SVU) scaling functions have been proposed [2] to address this problem. A SVU scaling function warps a panorama image to equalize people’s head sizes without creating discontinuities. Fig. 2 shows the result after head-size equalization.
Note how the guy in the white shirt is larger after head-size equalization. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that the RoundTable I’m testing incorporates the head-size equalization, since none of the heads in the conference room appeared to be equalized. Guess my head (& ego) will have to continue to be the biggest.
I read up on this some more and according to this Microsoft article, RoundTable “uses visual cues to pinpoint, enlarge and emphasize the face of the speaker”. So it sounds like it does have this feature. I’ll have to test this further.
Conclusion
All in all, I was pretty impressed with the Microsoft RoundTable. With its panoramic view and active speaker video switching functionality, you almost feel as though you are there in the conference room. I do wish the panoramic USB camera device worked in other applications besides LM 2007 and OCS 2007, but at least the active speaker video works. Although not released for general availability, the Microsoft RoundTable is expected to retail for around $3,000 putting this in the category of high-end videoconferencing systems. However, with fuel costs and other travel expenses, a high-quality, high-end videoconferencing system can pay for itself very quickly.
http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/microsoft/microsoft-roundtable-review.asp
via [tmc]
The HDX 4000 high definition exec videoconf system was on display in the Polycom booth. This showstopper includes a 5MP camera, 1680×1050 20” screen, stunning 22kHz sound subsystem, next-generation smart UI and PC connectivity, and unannounced pricing. Expect delivery this year in SD and HD versions.
As we have all know the convergence of AV/IT has been happening for the last 10 years but at a slow place and nothing like what the early Pundits predicted……but it is gaining speed.
Read the press report via Reuters which outlines Microsoft moving into the communication area of AV…….last week the announcement of the tie up with Polycom, now hardware released specific to MS products…..
How does this affect the AV Industry? Video conferencing and audio conferencing is going to change further….it is going to be fully streamlined into IT departments of the corporates and is going to make much heavier use of the corporate WAN and the Internet and become a fully integrated item in communication infrastructure of the company.
Is this good? I think so, it certainly is logical to have unified communication infrastructure and now our challenge as the AV industry is to develop value add solutions and to become more knowledgable about the use of AV over IT than the IT experts themselves…..
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Microsoft Corp. introduced on Sunday phones, headsets and other devices to work with its software that aim to replace the traditional office phone and deliver e-mails, instant messages and phone calls over the Internet.
Microsoft, the world’s largest software company, said it worked with nine technology manufacturers including Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and NEC Corp. to develop hardware to work with its unified communications strategy.
Instead of one system for phones and another for e-mails and instant messaging, Microsoft wants all communications to run over Internet networks on its Office Communicator program.
Microsoft forecasts that the shift to Web-based phone systems will gain momentum during the next three years, eventually generating billions of dollars in new revenue for the company.
The new hardware products will be unveiled at this week’s Microsoft Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Los Angeles.
The new products include an Internet Protocol phone from NEC that connects to a computer’s Universal Serial Bus and a Bluetooth headset that connects via wireless technology to the Office program made by LG-Nortel, a joint venture of LG Electronics Inc. and Nortel Networks.
Other hardware manufacturers working with Microsoft are ASUS, Plantronics Inc., Polycom Inc., Tatung Co. Ltd. and Vitelix.
In today’s competitvie market. alliances can be as important as channels in marketing strategy. So the announcement that Nortel and Polycom will jointly deliver immersive telepresence and high definition (HD) video conferencing solutions to enterprises worldwide under a new agreement is significant.
Nortel will resell and service Polycom video solutions as part of its new Multimedia Services portfolio. Nortel video conferencing services featuring Polycom solutions will enable global organizations to create a more efficient, effective and productive environment for collaboration among geographically dispersed employees, customers and suppliers.
The non-exclusive agreement with Nortel covers the entire line of Polycom video conferencing solutions, including telepresence, conference room and desktop video for multipoint conferencing; video network management and scheduling; and recording, streaming and archiving of video conferences and content.
These standards-based solutions are part of the Polycom UltimateHD* architecture, which offers the high quality, scalability and backwards compatibility necessary to provide an unrivaled user experience.
“These solutions can seamlessly connect multiple locations in a virtual meeting experience so real participants will almost believe they’re in the same room,” said Dietmar Wendt, president, Global Services, Nortel. “Teaming with Polycom, Nortel can deliver comprehensive video conferencing solutions and services that provide more efficient and effective communications across the globe, improving an organization’s productivity and business reach while delivering significant savings in network operations.”
“As companies move toward more global business operations, maintaining effective communication and collaboration among knowledge workers, customers, partners and suppliers becomes more challenging,” said Robert Hagerty, chairman and chief executive officer, Polycom. “The good news is that there are amazing new tools like Polycom’s RealPresence Experience (RPX) and HDX video conferencing systems to help enhance communication and collaboration among dispersed teams, mobile workers, and telecommuters.”
“Using instantaneous collaboration tools such as voice and video to meet and share content enables faster decisions, raises productivity, enhances relationships, and improves knowledge access and transfer,” Hagerty said. “We are teaming with Nortel to drive increased adoption of these technologies among customers around the world.”
Additional information about Polycom RPX HD telepresence and HDX video conferencing solutions is available at www.polycom.com/RPX and www.polycom.com/HDX.
via [VideoConference Insight]
Once in three years it seems, the name of Duffie White pops up again with a new 3D videoconferencing technology. His products are now in their seventh generation resulting from product design, field testing and commercial applications of each generation in pilot projects and large scale international deployments. We find them unusual, interesting and now a more mature product. The picture shows the realism achieved with a 3D picture on a Teleportel system.
His latest company, TelePresence Technologies, LLC with HQ in Dallas and an office in Brussels, Belgium, claims to be the world’s leader in 3D TelePresence with systems currently in operation in Belgium, China, England, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and the United States. TelePresence Tech products are produced in a 114,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility in Dallas, Texas using state-of-the-art computer aided manufacturing. (Previously Duffie White was CTO of a company called TeleporTec acording to Wainhouse).
TelePresence Tech has just announced that the company has developed a 3D TelePresence Room to expand its existing product line of 3D TelePresence systems. TelePresence Rooms are currently being built simultaneously in Dallas, Texas and Brussels, Belgium for international demonstrations of the revolutionary technology.
The company’s innovation in the telepresence field is based on development work undertaken in the last year since TPT Director, Duffie White, was granted US patent 7,057,637. This patent covers an extensive range of configurations of telepresence solutions achieving eye contact with participants from a distant location appearing life-size in a three dimensional setting.
The TPT technology overcomes the problems of eye contact video conference systems in a “teleprompter” format, where a displayed image is reflected in a semi-reflective glass or stretched film mirror (see www.teleprompters.com). Systems that reflect the displayed image cause a backwards mirror image and are prone to color shifts and other aberrations caused by viewing the image indirectly. This is particularly unfortunate when used with HD displays.
By contrast, the format covered in the granted U.S. patent for TelePresence Tech systems relies on a direct view of the displayed HD images overcoming the problems of being reflected. The three dimensional backdrop for the image of the participant or participants is superimposed at a physically measurable distance behind for a true depth relationship.
Teleportal products were demonstrated by Imago using Sony codecs and the Sony HD codec at the AV in the City in London on 2 May and will be shown at the Telepresence World conference in San Diego from 4-6 June 2007.
Teleportel has also evolved two models of its system – a 42in screen ‘rollabout’ and a desktop system with a 20in screen. Imago is planning to offer the two system alongside its own ‘Virtual Presence’ service, an on-demand 24×7 service based on ‘migration’ from ISDN. (Wainhouse says the TPT component for a 32-inch screen will sell for about $20K, or about $26K for a complete system; for an additional $5-10K you can get a system with a 42-inch screen.)
Ian Vickerage Managing Director of Imago Group PLC thinks 3D TelePresence is a revolutionary technology. “This kind of technology used to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said. “Now TelePresence technology is accessible to smaller businesses as well as professions for whom personal contact is important, such as retail and medicine. Imago is highly privileged to be able to bring such a unique technology to a wider market.”
For more about TelePresence Tech go to www.TelePresenceTech.com. Contact Duffie White at duffie@TelePresenceTech.com for scheduling demonstrations this summer.
via [VideoConferencing Insight Newsletter]
At the recent IP Video Expo in London on the Imago stand their was demonstration of a so-called virtual telepresence system developed by a Belgian company Teleportel. The system uses Sony plasma screens and Sony videoconferencing codecs to ‘project’ a 3D-like image of the participants taking part in the telepresence meeting. A demonstration using Sony’s PCS-HG90 HD Video Codec was given and this provided an exceptional 3D viewing experience which attracted much interest.
They also appear to have a system to add to this call Enviroscent…..which brings smell into play as well…..not sure I would want to use this after a hot sweaty day on a building site in Chennai and then going to a VC Call…..
The 3D part is very interesting so check it out at
My computer is fast becoming my voice communication tool of choice……it actually gives me better calls than my mobile, better clarity, less call drop and best of all it free….(I live in India and international calls are STILL expensive)….and I can do video too!
BUT…..
My laptop microphone and speakers are to close together and echo and feedback is an issue until both ClearOne and Polycom game me a personal speaker phone to trial…..
We are still trying out both units and will post our detailed comments shortly….but they are certainly making out lives easier…and our phone bills less!
Ploycom provided the C100 personal communicator and they describe it as…..
A portable and affordable personal speakerphone that enables a hands-free experience with leading soft phones and desktop video applications. The device includes Polycom HD Voice™ technology delivering four times the clarity of a normal call along with natural, two-way conversations without echoes or feedback. Originally launched with support for Skype, the Polycom Communicator now also supports the CounterPath eyeBeam™ and X-Lite IP soft phones and the Polycom PVX™ PC-based desktop video conferencing application, with support for BroadSoft’s BroadWorks® Communicator IP soft phone anticipated by this summer.
While ClearOne provide me with a Chat 50 Personal Speakerphone. ClearOne discribe it as…..
The Chat™ 50 personal speaker phone is a mobile audio peripheral that connects to a wide variety of devices and provides crystal-clear, hands-free audio communications.
It provides unmatched full-duplex capability, which allows users to simultaneously speak and listen without audio cutting in and out. It also provides high-quality audio playback for music, gaming and other sound files.
The Chat 50 can be used in a variety of ways, and connects to the following devices:
Our preliminary thoughts…
Both units are great, easy to install and operate straight out of the box…..this is good for me as I loose interest in things that require to much setup.
Both have excellent echo cancellation and resolved my feedback issues too….
Try them and see for yourself……our detailed comments will follow shortly.
More Info:
ClearOne Chat50
http://www.clearone.com/products/product.php?cat=9∏=94
Polycom C100
http://www.polycom.com/products_services/1,,pw-34-14992-17327,FF.html
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