LifeSize unveils low-cost HD video-conferencing solutions

The corporate videoconferencing market has taken some baby steps towards HD resolutions, but a company called LifeSize is trying to jump the rest of the pack with an array of 720p devices that sell for much lower prices than anything else we've seen. The company's basic solution, the $5,999 LifeSize Express, comes with a microphone, remote, and 720p camera, and features HDMI input and output to pipe additional content over a 1.5mbps connection. Stepping up, the LifeSize Team MP and LifeSize Room add support for more than two participants, with the $8,999 Team MP supporting 4-point single camera communications over a 2.5mbps connection and the Room bumping the specs to 6 points with two cameras and two screens each over 5mbps. Linking two MPs and a Room together in what LifeSize bundles as a turnkey telepresence solution will set you back around $40K, which sounds steep until you compare it to competing $200K SD-res systems on the market. All these are shipping now, according to the company.

[Via ZDNet, thanks James]

[r3loaded @ Oct 24th 2007 6:33PM]

With all sincerity, can someone please explain how this kit can cost $40k, going upto $200k? Surely it's cheaper to hook a (HD) webcam and mike to a computer to videoconference? What am I missing?

[EDR229 @ Oct 24th 2007 7:10PM]

you're not missing anything. "corporate" videoconferencing is a ripoff, and Polycom has a virtual monopoly in this scam.

[joey @ Oct 24th 2007 7:12PM]

Fo real, als I need is my playstation eye, and Im ready to do an hd session with ma gurl....

[Deluxe @ Oct 24th 2007 8:23PM]

Joey, I'm sure the last thing she wants is that in HD ;)

[Jugomugo @ Oct 24th 2007 7:51PM]

I've seen this product in person. It BLOWS AWAY anything Polycom is offering. Working in education, who is a large market for videoconferencing equipment, I've compared the two products. If you want to impress, this is the way to go. The interface is also much cleaner and easier to use than Polycom's.

[Whistler @ Oct 24th 2007 8:45PM]

We have departments on our campus who decided to get these a while back just because they were HD, and the first HD VTC machines available. The interface is actually quite obtuse and the remote control lacks any ergonomic considerations whatsoever. The hardware is the worst part. They overheat at the drop of a hat. Problems pile up with every firmware update.

They look pretty, but they don't function well.

[Jugomugo @ Oct 24th 2007 9:40PM]

Interesting!

[jaraber @ Oct 24th 2007 10:39PM]

lack of h.261 support kills this for my uses. Granted 263/264 is standard anymore, but you cant rule out legacy equipment...you never know what the party on the far end has...

[Tiptup300 @ Oct 24th 2007 11:27PM]

Can someone please explain to me why people need to conference in HD? Honestly, is it that entertaining?

[Eric Hollenbeck @ Oct 25th 2007 9:13AM]

It is the clarity. Actually most of my clients are buying the HD units for the better clarity in SD with 4CIF protocol. Then they can possibly upgrade to HD if need be. It is all about looking someone in the eye to see if they are lying or BSing without having to fly there.

[r3loaded @ Oct 25th 2007 4:33AM]

It's called marketing :)
"Woot, i can see u in HD! I can see the sweat dripping off your face and your terrible acne in glorious high resolution!"

[Eric Hollenbeck @ Oct 25th 2007 9:13AM]

You guys think this is bad... Well wait until you guys see the Cisco telepresence units for 750k just so CEOs can look like they are sitting across the table from someone... ALthough this is helping my industry since i work for the largest dealer of Polycom and Tandberg. Cisco telepresence is jumping off the charts

[jshimmer @ Oct 25th 2007 11:32AM]

i guess you dont have an HDTV...who needs HD? i still have a black and white tv...colour is really overrate anyhow. I also run my computer at 640x480, text and graphics look awesome....ah it's fun to be old and ignorant....if it was made after the 1950's i dont want it!!!