Cut-price HD videoconferencing system debuts

Research suggests smaller firms are looking to spend more on videoconferencing

LifeSize Communications is claiming an industry first with the launch of a sub-£5,000 videoconferencing system that supports dual display high definition (HD) video and content.

Express 200 has been designed to make full-featured HD video communications more practical and affordable to any business, at a price point that is 50 per cent less than that of comparable systems.

“The days of the 18-month to two-year payback for these kinds of systems are gone,” said John Tracey, LifeSize engineering manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

David Moloney, Ovum practice director, said: “Videoconferencing was one of the few strong areas where the SMBs [small to medium-sized businesses] we surveyed globally were intending to increase their spend.”

He added that the market could double in size over the next couple of years.

“LifeSize is a high-quality product provider,” Moloney said. “The trouble is that there are a number of new entrants into this market, so it must be sure to emphasise the quality of the product, at the same time as the price point.”

Tracey argued that the company had an advantage in that it develops all its technology itself, "so we’re not at the mercy of OEM [original equipment manufacturer] agreements”.

“And we can push our research and development down to lower priced products to make sure the things you’d pay extra for in lower priced basic packages – like a second licence for dual screens, for example – are all included,” he added.

The new package can deliver 720p video at 30 frames per second for natural, face-to-face interaction, and has the ability to receive 720p video at 60 frames per second. At the same time, data and content, such as documents, video, still images or presentations, can be shared in real-time with 1280x768 HD resolution.

The product can deliver true HD video and content at 1Mbit/s and supports more than 50 resolutions, according to LifeSize.

LifeSize Express 200 is now shipping in two models: LifeSize Express 200 with Focus (fixed-focus camera with built-in microphone) will cost £4,999; LifeSize Express 200 with PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom camera with mic pod) will cost £5,799.