Sony plugs into IP communications

Sony Electronics today beefed up its IP-based communications offerings with the US launch of products ranging from IP monitoring and recording devices to IP-ready videoconferencing systems.

The firm said that its IPELA business communications product range blends Sony's high-resolution imaging and audio technology with the universal reach of IP networks.

The first IPELA products include the PCS-G70 large room videoconferencing system and the PCS-TL50 desktop videoconferencing system.

Also available are network video monitoring cameras, including the SNC-RZ25N and P-Series MPEG-4 enabled models, and the DF40 and DF70 mini-dome cameras.

Sony also promised to introduce its XIS series of IP video monitoring cameras later this summer.

This series includes the XIS-5100 wide area monitoring camera that will cover a 160 x 15-degree area, and the XIS-10DC, a surveillance system for the industrial, government and aviation sectors with a 360-degree view and 100-megapixel resolution.

"IPELA represents our vision of expanded IP-based business communications that will make global visual communications as commonplace as a telephone call," said John Scarcella, president of Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Business Solutions Company.

According to Scarcella, Sony has allocated $10m in global marketing funds to support the IPELA line.

IPELA is a portmanteau word combining IP (internet protocol) and bella, the Italian for 'beautiful'.