FaceVsion's TouchCam V1 does SkypeHD at 720p for $69.99
All the cool kids are doing HD video chatting. You want to be a cool kid, don't you? FaceVsion wants you to be, introducing the new TouchCam V1. It's a follow-up to the N1 that we reviewed last year and generally liked, fixing our biggest criticism: cost. That camera launched at $120 while the new V1 will sell for just $69.99. It has the on-board H.264 encoding and 720p sensor that SkypeHD likes, and a simple (if somewhat budgety looking) design that won't look too out of place on a lower-end laptop -- so long as it as a Core 2 Duo processor or the equivalent. Look for it to start shipping sometime in the first quarter.
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FACEVSION™ EXPANDS ITS SKYPE™ CERTIFIED HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO CAMERA LINEUP WITH NEW LOW-COST FV TOUCHCAM™ V1
New Model Delivers Crisp 720p Streaming Video over the Internet for an Un-paralleled HD Video Calling Experience Using Skype and Other Popular Video Call/Chat Clients
Las Vegas, NV CES Booth# MP25368, January 6, 2011 – faceVsion Technology USA, a world-class manufacturer of HD video communication products for consumers and businesses today announced a new model in the popular TouchCam lineup of Skype Certified HD video cameras. The new TouchCam V1 720p HD VideoCam is a new low-cost model with many of the same features that made its big brother, the TouchCam N1, immensely popular with businesses looking to move videoconferencing out of the conference room and onto the desktop, allowing HD video calls to happen anywhere, anytime.
Like the TouchCam N1, the new V1 is a Skype Certified HD camera with a wide-angle lens and built-in hardware H.264 video encoding that delivers brilliant 720p video over an Internet connection with as little as 1.2Mbit/sec bandwidth. When used with the most recent version of Skype 5.0 for Windows®, 3 or more users can hold highly effective group video conference calls (currently in beta) from anywhere. For businesses using Cisco® WebEx, GoToMeeting.com, and other online collaborative meeting applications, the new TouchCam V1 delivers outstanding video quality.
With the new low-cost TouchCam V1, families and friends separated by great distances can now enjoy stunningly clear 720p HD video call quality and the V1's wide angle lens lets everyone get into the picture, a far cry from typical VGA webcams where participants typically only see a person's head and shoulders.
"Consumers and businesses are clamoring for lower cost HD video cameras for both desktop videoconferencing and casual video calls" said Ping Liu, President of faceVsion Technology USA. "faceVsion was there with one of the first Skype Certified HD video cameras and introduced the TouchCam N1 last year at CES. Now we're here with the new low-cost TouchCam V1 to satisfy our customer's requests for lower cost cameras that won't sacrifice video quality."
"Skype is proud of our continued collaboration with faceVsion to develop a new high definition webcam optimized for Skype video calling" said Manrique Brenes, director of business development for Skype. "Partners like faceVsion allow our growing community of users worldwide to seamlessly transition into HD video calling bringing them even closer to the ones they care about through a richer, more meaningful video calling experience."
System Requirements
The faceVsion TouchCam V1 requires a Windows® 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP PC with an Intel® Core 2Duo or equivalent CPU, 1GB RAM, Skype 5.0 for Windows (beta) or higher, available Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port, and Internet connection with minimum 1.2Mbit/sec "up & down" bandwidth capability. Users are encouraged to visit www.skype.com for updated Skype system requirements.
Price & Availability
The faceVsion TouchCam V1 carries an MSRP of $69.99 and will begin shipping in Q1 2011. The TouchCam V1 will be available from popular distributors, resellers, retailers and etailers; or direct from the www.facevsionusa.com web shop.
Connect with faceVsion at CES
faceVsion will have its entire product lineup on display at booth # MP25368, located in the LVCC South Hall, lower level. Distributors, resellers, members of the press, and other interested parties are welcome to drop by during show hours or email nita.tsang@facevsion.com to schedule an appointment.
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About faceVsion Technology USA
Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Fremont CA, faceVsion Technology USA delivers true HD video communications to the mass market. Core products include the Skype™ HD certified FV TouchCam N1, awarded Editor's Choice from LAPTOP Magazine, the FVexpress Combo entry-level professional video conferencing platform, and the 1080p capable FV Touchcam E1 and L2 cameras. faceVsion Technology USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of faceVsion Technology Inc. For more information on faceVsion Technology's products and services, please visit http://www.facevsionusa.com.
