Cisco, Teliris Expand Telepresence Offerings

Cisco Systems and Teliris on Monday unveiled new telepresence tools both vendors say can lower the cost of the high-definition video conferencing systems, making them more affordable for single users and SMBs. Cisco also released a new, larger TelePresence system that can scale to accommodate 18 people in one room. First, Cisco launched the TelePresence System 500 (pictured) a high-definition video conferencing solution designed for personal offices. The system, which lists for $33,900 ties together a 37-inch display, a camera, a microphone array, speakers and specially-designed lighting into one solution that can be placed on a desk, mounted on a wall or stood on a pedestal in a private office.

Cisco also released the Cisco TelePresence System 3200, which builds on Cisco's six-person TelePresence System 3000 by tripling the room capacity and augmenting the virtual table with a second row of seating for larger venues. The solution is targeted at headquarters sites or large regional offices to let larger teams meet and collaborate. The 3200 (pictured) provides high-quality audio and video to participants in both rows without a raised row of second seating. The system features table configurations for either 12 or 18 participants, new camera lenses, microphones for back-row participants and a new codec to support data sharing at 30 fps. The TelePresence System 3200 lists for $340,000. A Cisco TelePresence System 3200 upgrade kit is also available to expand TelePresence System 3000 deployments for $90,000.

Teliris also released three new telepresence solutions. First up is its Personal Telepresence solution, designed for single users and executives. The single-screen system runs at a list price of $32,500 and offers high-definition video at 30/60 frames per second, a 40-inch HD display, an integrated microphone, advanced audio processing system, full collaboration through picture-in-picture and features PAS, Teliris' positional awareness system for proper seating.

The Teliris Express Telepresence solution comes in a two- or three-screen system that can accommodate four to six participants in an existing conference room. It uses HD video at 30/60 frames per second, uses 46-inch HD telepresence display, pod microphones and an advanced audio processing system. The Express Telepresence solution requires no room build-out and is compatible with other Teliris collaboration options. Prices for the Express Telepresence system range from $99,000 to $125,000 depending on configuration. Picture here is the Express Telepresence in a two-screen configuration.

Both Teliris Personal Telepresence and Teliris Express Telepresence solutions are compatible with all Teliris VirtuaLive environments and, using the Teliris Telepresence Gateway, interoperate with traditional video conferencing and standards-based telepresence systems. Both use Teliris' patented Virtual Vectoring technology for accurate eye-lines for single and multiple location meetings.