ClearOne Makes First Forray into Video Collaboration
At the recent Enterprise Connect conference in Orlando, ClearOne previewed Collaborate, an all-in-one voice, video, and data collaboration console for organizations using unified communications software or Web services to handle voice, video, and data communications.
ClearOne Collaborate
At the recent Enterprise Connect conference in Orlando, ClearOne previewed Collaborate, an all-in-one voice, video, and data collaboration console for organizations using unified communications software or Web services to handle voice, video, and data communications. Company officials said Collaborate allows small groups in an executive office or conference room to converse and see each other while simultaneously viewing data from applications, websites, or other local or network sources.
The system is ClearOne’s first to incorporate video capability. It includes an integrated ClearOne HD Conference audio conferencing system, a 46-inch HD LCD monitor, an HD USB video camera, and a built-in quad core PC with Windows pre-installed. Collaborate is also available without an operating system for enterprises that have customized or bulk licensed software, company officials said.
Collaborate will suit large organizations running on UC platforms as well as small and midsize businesses using Web conferencing applications like Skype, according to Tracy Bathurst, chief strategy officer for ClearOne, It can also be used for applications such as Internet telephony, VoIP soft phones, and instant messaging, and it allows audio/video playback of files saved in Quicktime, RealPlayer, Windows Media and other formats. Collaborate can run applications from companies such as Avaya, Cisco, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Mirial, Siemens, Skype, and Yahoo, according to ClearOne.
“The ClearOne Collaborate is a solution that operates natively with select UC applications and Web-based clients, so customers can literally plug it in and go,” said Bathurst in a statement. “It also allows users to maintain the same, consistent interface for initiating, scheduling, joining and managing conferences. This level of integration simplifies use and minimizes the time of deployment and training. It will extend the use of video collaboration with large enterprises and enable its use in small and mid-sized businesses.”
The Collaborate solution also includes a ClearOne Soundbar speaker, which mounts to the bottom edge of the video screen; a ClearOne microphone pod; and a wireless keyboard and mouse. Additional microphone pods can be added so that larger groups can participate in conferences.
The system provides full PC functionality and enables users to create split-screen modes where live video can share the screen with data and content from PC or network applications. Its design allows a companion 46-inch monitor to be attached side-by-side to the first monitor, permitting full-screen data presentations to appear next to live, full-screen HD video images.
ClearOne officials said Collaborate will be available in three mounting options: for wall mount, credenza, or media stand. There will also be a fourth option that includes all components but allows customers to use their existing video display and PC.
Collaborate is scheduled for shipment in late June 2011, according to the company. Pricing will ranges from $3,199 to $17,999, depending on the configuration and options.
