Sony intros the makeup-inducing PCS-XG80 1080i video conferencing system

The kind, loving folks over at Sony claim that they're about to explode the video conferencing market wide open -- HD style -- and we've got front row seats to the festivities. According to the electronics-maker, the PCS-XG80 is the industry's first 1080i, HD conferencing solution, and will provide dual streaming, 30 FPS performance over IP or ISDN connections. The system is backwards-compatible with its older SD setups, and we assume it plays nice with the behemoth's earlier HD effort, the PCS-HG90 -- though you might want to double check on that before dropping the $8,999 that the company is asking for the system. Finally, you can really see just how ugly the home office is.

[SJT @ Jan 30th 2008 9:35AM]

1080i only? Surely not from Sony... You can almost hear HDPurist dying in the background :P

[paragraph @ Jan 30th 2008 9:37AM]

Indeed, i won't settle for an HD Video Conference system unless it's 4xHD with 40.2 Surround Sound, what is this the middle ages?

[Chewy @ Jan 30th 2008 10:08AM]

Considering I have had a Polycomm system that is 1080i since June, I doubt this is the first.

[Teetdogs @ Jan 30th 2008 10:52AM]

Well then you must have some super special system because all polycom HDX series only run at 720p untill the summer software update.

[Moorio @ Jan 30th 2008 10:33AM]

Why are we having a video conferencing camera that records in HD now?

There's a reason I don't want to talk to you in person...

[416Hammy @ Jan 30th 2008 10:36AM]

I think a lot of people will be VERY disappointed when they try to run 1080i live video at 30fps over the public Internet.

Without end-to-end QoS, this is bound to disappoint. Jitter FTL!

[fanboy1013 @ Jan 30th 2008 8:06PM]

Actually, Cisco Telepresence has been around even longer and I believe it is more sophisticated, considering it is also sold with HD monitors and already in use globally. It was even featured on "24" a season or two ago during one of the presidential scenes, I think with the Russian president.

[Teetdogs @ Jan 30th 2008 10:54AM]

Jitter FTL, best quote ever. If you work the the Video Conferencing arena this is great, I almost fell out of my chair.

[darkstar @ Jan 30th 2008 11:03AM]

what do you use at home with the pc??
yahoo im video is horrible! skype vid is a litle better. im curious what you have!

[shackhuds0n @ Jan 30th 2008 11:22AM]

Seeing as how Tandberg has had HD (1080i/720p @30FPS) units on the market for over 6 months now, Sony is hardly breaking new ground here.

[CanCar @ Jan 30th 2008 12:30PM]

In my opinion Sony is one of the techno giants and could sell better and more functional products.

[Teetdogs @ Jan 30th 2008 12:26PM]

Ok well I dont consider those to be true video conferencing, that is consumer grade crap. I use Polycom PVX myself but that is because I am the administrator of a large video conferencing network so unless you have a few hundred bucks to drop your stuck with the free crap that is widely availible.

[Teetdogs @ Jan 30th 2008 12:40PM]

Ok well I dont consider those to be true video conferencing, that is consumer grade crap. I use Polycom PVX myself but that is because I am the administrator of a large video conferencing network so unless you have a few hundred bucks to drop your stuck with the free crap that is widely availible. Sorry for the double post but the other one wouldn't reply, Stupid comment system

[Teetdogs @ Jan 30th 2008 12:42PM]

Tandberg is using software upconversion to display their 1080i, which was just added in their last software update, this device does native 1080i not an upconversion so it is the first TRUE 1080i 30fps VTC device, now if they could just get it up to 60fps I would be happy.

[RK @ Jan 31st 2008 8:50AM]

I have just seen the system on ISE in Amsterdam.
It is hot - believe me!
Especially when it comes to the telepresence solution that Sony has build with partners.
Trust me, this will rock the market.

R