China Electronics Wholesaler

Sony puts the HD into video conferencing

Sony has introduced the first video conferencing system to feature 1080i high-definition resolution.

The Sony PCS-XG80 video conferencing system lets you watch friends, family and colleagues in high-definition, witha high 60fps frame rate. Sony says the system will bring "superb livevideo quality and a very natural alternative to face-to-face meetings".

Apartfrom seeing colleagues face to face, you'll also be able to share datafrom your computer with others. From Microsoft Office documents inPowerPoint to animations and live DVDs, you can share files in HDquality at 30 frames per second thanks to the dual stream functionalitywhich allows for two separate parallel streams of live high-definitioninformation.

Simultaneous viewAdvertisement

Forexample, both the live camera view and an animated PowerPointpresentation can be displayed in high definition on two differentscreens or projectors at a remote site.

You can connect to asmany as five remote sites simultaneously, and there's multi-languagesupport for 20 different languages available if you have colleagues inother parts of the world. There is also wide-band stereo audio forcrisp and clear sound.

Backward compatible

TheSony PCS-XG80 video conferencing system is backward compatible too,giving you the option of connecting with HD video quality throughstandard-definition high bandwidth connections.

"This[high-definition] technology allows people to engage 'face-to-face,'without incurring the financial, environmental and human costs of whatis often unnecessary travel in today's global business environment,"said Mike Sekiguchi, general manager for Sony Electronics' IPELAvideoconferencing group.

The Sony PCS-XG80 system will go on salethis spring. The UK price hasn't been confirmed, but in the US it'llset you back $8,999 (£4,555).