Yealink, a company best known for its IP Phones, has announced that it is moving into video conferencing with two new systems: the Yealink (News - Alert) VC120 and Yealink VC400.
Both phones feature broadcast-quality video with 1080p resolution and video at 30 frames per second. Other features include dual-monitor support and screen sharing, the ability to record to a USB device, as well as SIP and H.323 interoperability with other hardware and software a company is using.
The VC120 and VC400 include a codec, a camera, a microphone array and a remote control. The microphones have a 360-degree pickup range, which means that anybody in a conference can be heard, even if they walk around a room.
The camera also has an 18x optical zoom with pan and tilt controls, making it easy for it to be moved to capture a videoconferencing subject as well.
The VC400’s codec distinguishes itself with a multipoint control unit that allows for conferences with up to four participants rather than point-to-point conferences.
Video conferencing has emerged as a mainstream business communication tool in recent years as companies look to cut costs on travel. Many companies are finding that it’s easier and faster to simply schedule a conference rather than send employees to remote offices, booking flights and hotels. With the reduced need for travel, videoconferencing might even help the environment.
Video conferencing systems used to be expensive, complicated, proprietary affairs but standards like SIP have emerged that make video conferencing much cheaper and easier to implement with existing communications equipment.
Improvements in broadband have also made video conferencing viable even for smaller businesses, with networks able to handle smooth video with relatively little buffering or choppiness. Skype (News - Alert) has also introduced many ordinary people to video conferencing, so it’s a technology they’re already familiar with when it’s implemented in the office.
Both systems are available for sale from IP Phone (News - Alert) Warehouse.
Edited by Maurice Nagle