Lately, it seems like just about every device maker in the conferencing space is coming out with a 4K webcam or conference camera. It started in February 2017 when the Logitech BRIO 4K Pro Webcam was introduced at ISE, and since then I’ve seen announcements from Cisco, Panacast, Aver and Dolby (just to name a […]

Avonic today announced its completely redesigned PTZ camera, the CM40 — designed for fixed AV installations. The CM44 camera is specifically designed for video conferencing applications; this USB-based camera is compatible with the most used soft-codec conference tools like Skype, Zoom and GoToMeeting. Avonic says that their selling point is for the price of a […]

The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and AVIXA have announced the release of the new standard Recommended Practice for Lighting Performance for Small to Medium Sized Videoconferencing Rooms (ANSI/IES/AVIXA RP-38-17). Created by lighting experts from IES and videoconferencing experts from AVIXA, the standard is ANSI (American National Standards Institute) approved, demonstrating that the development procedures meet […]

With the new branding, AVIXA appears to have picked up a new motto, one which many of us have seen on the various promotional items for sale in the AVIXA store at InfoComm: “Together, we can change the way people experience the world.” Those who know me I believe in language, and believe in having […]

Black Box today introduced Coalesce Professional, an enterprise-ready all-in-one videoconferencing and wireless presentation system that lets remote teams collaborate like they’re in one room. Coalesce Professional features enterprise-level, advanced functionality like splash screen customization and central deployment/management. The system is infinitely scalable from the maintenance/monitoring perspective via its central management portal and from a budget perspective with its competitive […]

Extron announced that it has teamed up with Zoom Video Communications to extend Extron control capabilities to any Zoom Room, providing a one-touch user experience for conferencing, collaboration, and now AV room control. There’s no more need to switch devices — a single user interface on your Apple iPad or Extron touchpanel is all you […]

MXL Microphones introduces its new USB-powered table-top web conferencing microphone, the MXL AC-360-Z, at this year’s InfoComm Show (Marshall Electronics Booth C2164). The new MXL AC-360-Z has been co-developed with engineers from Zoom, a leading web conferencing and communications software provider, to enhance the microphone solution for Zoom Rooms and Zoom-enabled conference rooms. The AC-360-Z expands upon the popular three capsule boundary microphone, […]

While some other video communications platforms only have limited support for Apple, Zoom runs on Mac and iOS devices including desktops, iPads and iPhones. Regardless of if a user is on PC or Mac, Android or iOS, Zoom users get a very similar and highly intuitive user experience including iOS screen sharing, ability to schedule, start and join meetings on mobile […]

Marshall Electronics will demo its CV502-U3 HD USB POV Camera at InfoComm 2018 (Booth C2164). Designed for the ProAV and UCC markets, the CV502-U3 is plug-and-play connectivity on any Mac, PC or Linux system supporting USB 3.0 input infrastructure and uses video capture drivers included with common computer software and soft codecs. Utilizing UVC 1.5, common teleconference and video […]

i3-Technologies has teamed up with Zoom as a member of the Zoom Rooms Technology Ecosystem Program. The software-based video communications platform from Zoom and the interactive touch displays from i3-Technologies allow organizations to bring visual collaboration to any size room. Remote collaboration is a growing reality for businesses. The simple yet powerful interface from Zoom, paired with the plug […]

By David Danto and Andrew W. Davis The year was 2006.  Videoconferencing had been used in the corporate world for more than ten years — and everyone hated it. It failed to meet the promises of reducing travel costs and providing easy, “just like being there” experiences. Enterprise AV was really no better. Huge boardrooms […]

As the rest of the advertiser-supported AV press just reprints the Polycom or Plantronics press releases, we’re going to call it how we see it — with the truth about this “acquisition.” Yes, Plantronics is taking control of Polycom — a history-making videoconferencing company that all but invented the space — for what amounts to $2.0 billion in enterprise […]

Panasonic and TrueConf have teamed up on a family of video conferencing offerings. TrueConf Server is officially compatible with the Panasonic KX-HDV430 SIP deskphone and Panasonic’s KX-VC-series, including the KX-VC1000, KX-VC1300, KX-VC1600 and KX -VC2000.  This integration will expand video conferencing capabilities as people using Panasonic deskphones and high-definition video conferencing systems can join conferences running on TrueConf Server […]

What’s it like preparing for a videoconference at your business? Is it a smooth, seamless process that automatically sets the technology at your service as soon you enter the room? Is the video quality stunningly realistic? Or do you have to start from scratch every time, locating plugs and remote controls, pushing a number of buttons and […]

TrueConf has added support for Cisco’s Open H.264 video codec. This implementation of H.264 provides wide compatibility of TrueConf solutions with third-party video conferencing endpoints and enhanced web conferencing experience. Cisco open-sourced it’s H.264 codec implementation as a license-free alternative solution to allow its use in WebRTC standard along with VP8 video codec. Open H.264 ensures compatibility between […]

Avocor announced at ISE that it’s joined Zoom Video Communications to add an option to Zoom Rooms via the Zoom Rooms for Touch program. As you likely know, Zoom Rooms features wireless content sharing, up to 4K video and audio conferencing with up to 500 interactive video participants while integrating with most calendaring systems. Zoom Rooms for Touch is a mode […]

Zoom Video Communications today announced a variety of new features and enhancements to its core Meetings platform and its Zoom Rooms software-based conference rooms. Altogether, these enhancements streamline administrator and user experiences and increase productivity as part of Zoom’s ongoing effort to create frictionless experiences for buying, deploying, using and managing enterprise video communications. Zoom also announced the general availability of […]

TrueConf has announced an integration with Microsoft’s Skype for Business through its latest offering, TrueConf Server v. 4.3.9. The integration adds interoperability for TrueConf and Skype for Business users, including audio, video and instant messaging functionality. TrueConf and Skype for Business users can easily participate in joint video calls and conferences, as well as invite legacy room endpoints. TrueConf […]

Smaller than your average smartphone, the new digital infrared wireless discussion system by TAIDEN is a low-profile microphone designed for boardrooms and videoconference spaces. The HCS-5335 product series, with gooseneck or boundary microphone options, is officially being introduced at the February ISE Show in Amsterdam in booth 3-C105. The solution is ultra-portable, with no equipment rack pieces. The infrared transmitter […]

The year 2018 could turn out to be full of giant changes. The market is certainly poised for it as you have a number of technological advancements that have emerged simultaneously — each of them have a lot of potential. First, let’s review all the latest in emerging AV technology and then and I’ll tell […]

Google has had Hangouts — a software-based SORT-OF videoconferencing suite for years. But hardly anyone uses it. But now the company’s launched a hardware kit hardware including an ASUS Chromebox, USB camera (10.1” diagonal, IPS, 16:10, 1280×800 resolution), controller, speaker and mic set, known as the Speakermic. The Speakermic, custom designed and built by Google, […]

This morning I was involved in testing two of the new virtual reality conferencing environments. As most of you will be painfully aware, the conferencing industry has gone through a number of revolutions in the past decade, from videoconferencing to telepresence to collaboration and now on to VR. At each of them, we tout the […]

TrueConf has announced full support for 4K point-to-point video calls in 3840×2160 resolution. Ultra HD video calls are available in TrueConf 7.2 application for Windows. To run video calls in Ultra HD quality, both participants need to use 6th generation Intel Core i7+ processor-based PC, a 4K webcam, an Ultra HD monitor and a high-speed network connection […]

ZOOM Video Communications was the brainchild of WebEx founder Eric Yuan. He wanted to find a way to make people happy using videoconferencing — not frustrated. In six years, it’s gone from his idea to a company with headquarters is in San Jose, Calif. that’s projected to be valued at well over $1 Billion. And, Yuan […]

Vaddio is now shipping its new ConferenceSHOT FX Fixed USB Camera. The ConferenceSHOT FX is an enterprise-level camera that plugs into a USB port and works with major UCC soft-clients. Designed for small conference rooms and huddle spaces, the ConferenceSHOT FX has an extra-wide 88-degree field of view to capture everyone in the meeting room. Its USB 3.0 output sends uncompressed, […]

By Chip Manning VDO360 Videoconferencing is not new, but recent technological advancements—including mobile videoconferencing and telepresence—have led to more widespread use. On the other hand, the Internet of Things (IoT) is a relatively new idea, one with implications across a wide variety of industries and aspects of business. When the two technologies—videoconferencing and the IoT—come […]

Altia Systems, creators of PanaCast 2 180° 4K Plug-and-Play video camera system, today launched PanaCast Vivid, a newly-developed real-time HDR (high dynamic range) technology being delivered as a fully integrated high performance engine running in the PanaCast Video Processor within the PanaCast 2 camera system, which automatically and continuously improves video quality under varying light conditions to enhance participants’ […]

Pexip announced its Infinity Fusion product was certified by Microsoft as a video interoperability solution for Skype for Business Server today. Pexip Infinity Fusion allows Skype for Business meetings and calls to be joined by non-Skype users using video teleconferencing. Pexip collaborated with Microsoft in the certification of the latest version of Infinity Fusion, which features a gateway mode allowing VTCs to […]

Draper’s redesigned solution for hiding videoconferencing cameras above the ceiling will be on display at InfoComm 2017, June 14 – 16 in Orlando. The redesigned Video Conferencing Camera Lift – Ceiling can now lower the camera up to 10 feet below the ceiling, and the camera remains centered. The “down” position of the camera also is more […]

Cisco has posted its videoconferencing collaboration products for use in all Revit programs created by Autodesk. These CAD program tools are used by architects, integrators and design consultants in building design and are required in the Smart Building Technologies (SBT) market.  Now Cisco video solutions can “drag and drop” in those designs.  The modules are found in the Bimobject.com online database. Products that […]

We have a new, lower, price ($5,000 and a $600 per board annual service contract) and a shipping date (May 20th) for the Google Jamboard.Want to save $300 on the service contract? Buy it now — as it will only be $300 if you buy one before the end of the summer. As we reported last […]

Update: I spoke to ZOOM CEO Eric Yuan this morning. He told me that it’s correct that they do try to establish relationships directly with the clients. But, he says that ZOOM’s policy about this is very specifically defined: If an AV integrator has an existing client relationship, all they need to do is register that […]