Videoconferencing advances on broad front

Pro

The concept of a videophone has been a staple of science fiction since the days of Star Trek if not before, but the market for such devices has been remarkably slow to gain momentum. This is despite the increase in the general availability of broadband communications that should in theory provide a boost for such technology.

The market can be segmented into three sectors. At the bottom are low-cost video cameras or Web cams which are essentially cool toys, sold as accessories for the latest gadget-hungry consumer PCs. Next there are purpose-built videophones that are as yet solutions in search of a problem. And last but not least, there are the specialist systems that are found in corporate board rooms and provide a more economical alternative to air travel for high-level meetings between executives from remote locations.

In the latter case, the typical infrastructure required is an ISDN connection, preferably at 128kbit/s data rates, to which is connected a table-top transceiver with the video images displayed on a large TV screen.

According to market researcher, InStat/MDR the market for such high-quality corporate videoconferencing will grow from a value worldwide of $772m in 2001 to more than $2bn by 2006. In a report published last year, it reckoned that the market leader and key industry driver would be Polycom whose Polycom Office product is an easy to use piece of equipment which would help to drive videoconferencing applications across IP networks, thereby removing the traditional dependence on ISDN. As IP networks proliferate to smaller businesses and even homes the potential for low-cost videoconferencing to make a big impact will be increased. Other key players in this market will be Tandberg, Sony and Forgent, said the research company.

In a separate report published last year another research specialist, the Yankee Group, also highlighted the potential of IP networks to drive videoconferencing into hitherto untapped areas. Other technical developments that would be key factors would be the growth of USB-enabled peripherals, which would aid the overall ease of connection and use, and the ever increasing power of personal computers.

One area that could potentially make use of low-cost videotelephony is the care of people with special needs. According to a report by TPM Expertise commissioned by eircom, Kilsheeling Technologies, Siemens and Sigma Wireless, the use of video telephones has already been pioneered in the US for the care of elderly people in the community and in the monitoring of out patients by clinics. The report’s author, Teddy Turner told ComputerScope that in a typical case a health-care professional could use a rudimentary video telephone to help make a decision on whether a patient was in need of a home visit or not.

Videophones can also be used by those caring for elderly relatives to ‘keep an eye’ on their welfare at home from afar. For people with more specific special needs video telephony is a potential aid to communication for people with hearing difficulties. Using such technology, it is possible for people to communicate in sign language while experiencing the immediate nature of a telephone call. Already in the US, AT&T provides a video relay service which allows the hearing impaired to participate in remote sign language communication. A similar service has been running in Sweden for many years and Justcommunications in the UK also offers a commercial relay service providing sign-language interpreters and associated services to hearing-impaired people.

Among the barriers to greater adoption of videoconferencing and video telephony identified by the TPM report are: the lack of interoperability between different manufacturers’ products, even those purporting to follow similar standards; interoperability between products following different standards, such as between ISDN videoconferencing equipment and IP-enabled equipment; and the current lack of protocols on the Internet that provide for stable quality of service.

Sharp PG-A10 series

Sharp Electronics has two new multimedia projectors which are ideal for education, training or general office use. The SVGA PG-A10S multimedia projector has a brightness of 1500 ANSI Lumens (which is switchable to 1200) and a contrast ratio of 400:1. The XGA PG-A10X offers 1300 ANSI Lumens (switchable to 1040) and a contrast ratio of 450:1.

Weighing just 2.9kg and with dimensions of 297x81x229, both units can be easily carried from room to room. In addition, the projectors include automatic warning which reminds the user to wait for the lamp to cool before switching it off, colour-coded connectors for quick and easy setup and a simple menu design. An active digital keystone correction facility and high-speed auto response adjust (ARA) are also included. Both units come with anti-theft features such as a key lock function and Kensington lock system. The devices also have a fan noise of only 31dB in eco-mode or 35dB in standard mode. The projectors come with numerous connection options including one RGB-computer/component video input, a composite port, an S-video port and an audio input. Both products are Mac compatible.

Additionally, an RS-232C serial port lets users remotely control the projector. The PG-A10S has a guide price of EUR1529 (ex-Vat) while the PG-A10X retails from EUR2275 (ex-Vat). Both projectors come with a three-year warranty.

• Digital Magic Limited: +353 (0)1-2600925 — www.digitalmagic.ie

Egan PowerX

Egan PowerX is an advanced touchscreen designed exclusively for use with Microsoft PowerPoint. PowerX allows those giving presentations to work facing the audience alongside the PowerPoint presentation, maintaining eye contact with the audience.

PowerX’s 74in diagonal presentation screen can be mounted on a wall or on a mobile stand and a 100in diagonal version will shortly be available for special applications. Egan PowerX connects directly to a PC using a Serial, USB or WiFi interface. The PowerX ActionBar which runs across the bottom of the large format touch screen has simple to use, easily-activated commands. Fingertip controls include drawing, which is achieved by pressing one of the colour markers, then simply using your finger to draw.

The intelligent ActionBar design has frequently-used PowerPoint buttons, such as stop/start presentation, at either end for easy access. Slides are advanced in sequence by simply touching the screen. More specific navigation is controlled with ActionBar buttons.

• Sight & Sound: +353 (0)1-2838974 — www.sightandsound.ie

BenQ DX550

The DX550 data projector from BenQ is ideal for use in both conference and classrooms. Weighing only 2.3kg, the DX550 has a magnesium-aluminium alloy body and a brightness of 1200 ANSI Lumens. The projector also has a 450:1 contrast ratio.

• Emcee Distribution: +353 (0)1-4567911 — www.emcee.ie

HP iPAQ MP38000

The iPAQ MP38000 from Hewlett Packard weighs just 1.6kg and provides 1300 ANSI Lumens of brightness. With a 1024×768 XGA resolution, the iPAQ MP3800 can be mounted from the ceiling or on a tripod. The projector comes with an adjustable focal length zoom lens (1.2x) and manual adjustable focus zoom. It also has built in Texas Instruments DLP technology for clearer displays. With an image contrast of 800:1 and contrast full-on of 200:1, the iPAQ MP3800 can automatically scale up from VGA, SVGA or scale down from SVGA to fill screen. The projector comes with a three-year pick-up and return warranty, integrated two-watt speaker and a noise level of just 37dB for normal operation.

• Hewlett-Packard: +353 (0)1-6158200 — www.hp.com

Relisys 42in Plasma

Relisys’ 42in Plasma screen is a competitively priced large flat screen suitable for use in conference rooms or airports.

It comes with either a black or silver-coloured casing and can be supplied with optional curved speakers. The technology includes progressive line scaling and motion processing for picture and colour quality. It also features multimedia, tilting screen and an MVA panel. Distributor TNS Distribution claims the product is the cheapest 42in plasma screen currently on sale on the Irish market.

• TNS Distribution: +353 (0)1-8829777 — www.relisys.com

HP digital projectors

The xb31 and sb21 digital projectors from HP have 1500 comparable lumens for a bright picture even with room lights on. Additionally, both projectors have a contrast ratio of 1800:1 for deep blacks and rich, full colours. The xb31 and sb21 have true XGA (1024×768) for optimal clarity and both projectors easily adapt to any venue.

• Hewlett-Packard: +353 (0)1-6158200 — www.hp.com

Dell 3200 MP and 2100 MP projectors