Dynamic Communications, South African and African distributor of Emblaze-VCON executive videoconferencing systems, has decided to publish an Emblaze-VCON videoconferencing endpoint guide to enable IT procurement managers, general procurement and individuals and companies to understand its offering better.
As a start, it is important to know that all ITU (international telecommunications union) compliant endpoints are compatible, and therefore all major brands talk to each other, allowing several different companies to own several different branded professional videoconferencing equipment, and they can all still connect to each other. These brands include Emblaze-VCON, Sony, Polycom, Lifesize, Cisco, Tandberg, Radvision, etc.
The videoconferencing industry will generally sell a videoconferencing system as a basic kit with a CODEC (main unit), camera, microphone array, remote control and cables etc, and then will give the customers various options as optional extras.
Owen Patmore, from Dynamic Communications, says: “This can become very confusing to the customer as sometimes they don't understand the offering and also might not know right now what they need in the future as additional add-ons.” He also says these extras inflate the original purchase price by so much that the product becomes very expensive or unaffordable with all the necessary extras.
These extras include:
* MCU upgrade - This gives the unit the ability to host a multiparty or multi-site meeting with three or more sites simultaneously, allowing for several branches/companies around the world to be in one single meeting all on one screen, for example.
* Recording - This allows the client to record videoconferencing meetings, including normal day-to-day meetings in their boardroom, thus using the system as a full multimedia meeting room recording solution and a videoconferencing recording solution, no longer needing someone to take minutes of a meeting. And what better way than having video meetings (interview, disciplinary hearings, board meetings etc) in a company's archives? The video and audio is recorded into a simple windows media player format, which can be replayed on any computer. It also records all the sites video and audio from multi-site meetings into a single session. On some videoconferencing brands, this is a separate server costing around 200k alone.
* Data share (H.239) - This allows clients to share presentations, excel spread sheets, videos, jpeg, PDF etc in real-time, thus allowing for a interactive videoconference session and even allowing for this to be connected to an interactive whiteboard (optional) where live annotations can be made. If, for example, a company wants to discuss financial figures, an Excel spreadsheet can be displayed and live changes can be made, which is shown to all participants of the meeting in real-time.
Emblaze-VCON has therefore launched three models that suit certain segments of the market in different ways, and it has included all traditionally “optional extras” in the offering. Now clients are able to purchase one of the VCON endpoints knowing that they have a fully featured videoconferencing system with all the extras and their investment future proofed.
These systems are IP ready and can also do ISDN, if this is required by the client, by simply adding an ISDN module. However, the migration from ISDN to IP has been very successful and 80% of new VC installations are done over IP. This is due to lower costs, remote diagnostics and certain features as streaming, multicasting etc being IP reliant.
Three options are as follows:
* Xpoint LT All-in-one medium-entry level videoconference solution. Retails at R35 876 excl vat.
xPointLT is an affordable option suitable for users who need an all-in-one medium-entry level videoconference solution. xPointLT's slim point-to-point or multipoint embedded MCU 1+3 model, driven by VCON's powerful xPoint software, is suitable for mid-to-medium manager-to-student entry level wireless conference room communications. XPointLT consists of a streamlined slim box, which is nearly weightless (1.08kg) and boasts a uniquely no-fan system, which is noiseless, and resilient to dust. It can be placed on a desktop or be mounted onboard a monitor, as a back-mount.
* Xpoint S Executive Videoconferencing Room System. Retails at R76 316 excl vat.
Emblaze-VCON's xPointS room solution is a high-performance set-top appliance that has been enhanced to include even more superior features for optimal executive videoconferencing. Delivering TV-like video quality with 720p incoming video and crisp, CD-quality audio over both IP and ISDN networks, xPointS is the ideal videoconferencing solution for executive meeting rooms. With its 6-site multipoint conferencing, DualStream technology and session-recording and streaming capabilities unique to Emblaze-VCON endpoints, the xPointS offers full-feature functionality and standards-based interoperability in a single sleek appliance.
* Xpoint HD all-in-one high definition videoconferencing system. Retails at R99 179 excl vat.
The xPointHD is an all-in-one high definition videoconferencing system. xPointHD has an embedded MCU capability of up to 1+8, recording and streaming of up to 3000SD, 1000h HD and can conduct calls of up to 6Mbps. The xPointHD can propagate a HD picture using special HD Camera equipment and off-board accessories. xPointHD supports a resolution of 1080p (incoming).
For a comprehensive Xpoint Comparison Chart go to http://www.dynamiccom.co.za
Emblaze-VCON Xpoint series is available through the Dynamic Communications accredited reseller channel. Contact Owen @ 082 354 4369 or sales @ 011 312 9725 for more information.
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