HD videoconferencing goes portable with LifeSize's compact Passport

Stephen Withers
Monday, 12 October 2009 06:39

Your IT - Home IT

A new HD videoconferencing system is set to go on sale next month. A variant with Skype compatibility will soon follow. The LifeSize Passport is a compact high-definition videoconferencing system. The portable (less than 1.2kg) unit will be available initially in two versions, with a third to follow.

The Passport costs $A3477 including a fixed camera with integrated microphone, and there is also a bundle including a pan/tilt/zoom camera and an external microphone pod.

Specifications include 720p30 video (requires 1Mbps connection; lower resolutions are also available), and H.261, H.263, H.264, H.323, H.239 and SIP compliance.

Skype audio compatibility will be added to a model due to arrive before the end of 2009.

"LifeSize has been extremely successful in making video conferencing more accessible to all kinds of businesses. LifeSize Passport takes this to a new level by creating a portable video conferencing system at a price point attractive to SME, home office and teleworkers," said Paul Scanlan, general manager of LifeSize distributor IPL Communications.
 
"Gone are the days when the only choices were an expensive high-end boardroom system or low a quality web cam based system. With LifeSize Passport anyone can take advantage of HD video and audio, anywhere there is a broadband internet connection," he added.