AVI-SPL Debuts Telepresence System
National AV integrator AVI-SPL today announced its own AVI-SPL-branded telepresence solution called Cam?l?on.
AVISPL Cameleon”>
AVISPL Cameleon
National AV integrator AVI-SPL today announced its own AVI-SPL-branded telepresence solution called Caméléon. Company officials described it as a “multifunction” telepresence solution because it can operate in four modes: as a fully immersive telepresence experience; an HD videoconferencing system; an audio conferencing solution; or a local, multimedia presentation and display system.
“We support and sell all of the telepresence solutions from the various manufacturers and they provide an excellent experience for our customers,” said John Vitale, director of product management for AVI-SPL, in a statement. “However we have found that one size does not fit all as it relates to immersive telepresence. The launch of Caméléon is a byproduct of listening to our customers’ needs that expand beyond the pure telepresence experience. [It’s] an affordable solution that provides multipurpose room functionality and is customizable to meet special requirements.”
In an interview with PRO AV, Vitale estimated that one of the first-available Caméléon systems, based on a Polycom HDX 8006 codec, would cost less than half the MSRP of a similarly configured telepresence room solution based on the same platform.
According to the company, unlike existing telepresence solutions that have room and environment requirements, Caméléon requires no room construction and can be adjusted to fit to most existing environments. Though not a custom solution, Caméléon can be tailored to a variety of requirements, such as adding a second participant row; integrating automated room control for lighting, shades, and climate; and adding presentation sources such as DVD players and document cameras. AVI-SPL can also swap out different color finishes to match existing office decor.
AVI-SPL will offer Caméléon with a variety of telepresence codecs. The first two versions, which the company says will be ready for shipment next month, are based on the Polycom HDX 8000 and LifeSize Team 220 codecs, respectively. Company officials said that in the coming months, AVI-SPL will offer versions based on the Radvision XT1000, Tandberg C Series, and Cisco CTS platforms.
Each Caméléon system comes equipped with three 60-inch, 1080p LCD displays; three HD PTZ cameras; codecs; a 10-person conference table with built-in 20-inch content displays; six illuminated tabletop microphones; integrated digital audio; a Crestron control panel; and more. The control panel runs AVI-SPL’s own Caméléon’s graphical user interface, which the company says was designed in-house to allow first-time users to easily host a telepresence meeting, AV conference, or local presentation.
AVI-SPL will bundle Caméléon with its existing Customer Care Plus+ support programs and ConferencePoint Managed Services.
Caméléon demonstrations are currently available at AVI-SPL’s Video Briefing Center (VBC) in Chicago with additional VBC locations planned in the U.S. over the next few months
