VCON enhances HD workgroup videoconferencing products

Feb 24, 2005 9:59 AM

Videoconferencing solutions provider VCON has announced new versions of its HD5000 and HD4000 workgroup videoconferencing systems. Version 3.5 provides greater interoperability and a wider range of audio and video capabilities, including higher resolution for live video, full-motion video and data sharing, and support for dual-streaming video and data.

The HD5000 and HD4000 are VCON’s high-performance workgroup conferencing systems for demanding corporate videoconferencing requirements. Unlike simple standalone videoconferencing systems, the HD5000 and HD4000 can be used to display presentations, access the Internet during meetings, and display files from the corporate network.

“Data sharing was a key decision factor when choosing a videoconferencing system. The VCON HD5000 has the most robust and easy-to-use data sharing options of any of the systems we tested: We can share from a laptop, from the network, or by accessing the Internet or a movie file,” said Earnest Smith, president, Consumer Media. “Coupled with the superb video and audio quality, the HD5000 makes an excellent workgroup conferencing system.”

The HD5000 is a software-hardware combination that provides organizations with the convenience of a complete turnkey system. The HD4000 is identical to the HD5000 in function, but comes as a software application that gives customers the flexibility to select their own PC hardware. In addition to videoconferences, the HD5000 and HD4000 can also be used to participate in webcasts and web conferences.

The enhancements found in version 3.5 of the HD4000/HD5000 provide expanded interoperability and a wider range of audio and video features. Some of the key new features include 20Khz CD-like (AAC-LD) and G.722.1 audio; H.263+/++ video, XGA resolution for live video and data sharing; H.264 support at data rates up to 4Mbps, and Interlaced H.263 CIF resolution for full-motion video (up to 60 fields per second).

Version 3.5 also includes H.239 support for simultaneous streaming of video and data, H.235 encryption support, and H.350 support, which provides uniformity and easier access to endpoints and users in a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) environment. Additionally, the HD5000 and HD4000 now include Packet Loss Recovery, a new feature of VCON PacketAssist architecture that gives better resilience for packet loss condition error.

Version 3.5 for the HD5000 and HD4000 will be available in Q1 2005. More information is located at www.vcon.com.