Sony has introduced the PCS-1500, the smallest set-top videoconferencing unit in the world. The PCS-1500 is simple to use and possesses an impressive range of user facilities as well as being a very cost-effective investment.
Sony's motivation in developing the PCS-1500 was to enhance videoconference technology's appeal to a large market of small businesses.
"Customer research indicates that our videoconference systems offer an average return on investment in excess of 500% over three years and yet many small businesses have been deterred by perceived high initial investment and maintenance requirements," said Eric Siereveld, Manager Videoconferencing Marketing Group at Sony Broadcast & Professional Europe in Amsterdam.
"Along with a very low price tag, our new system builds on our existing models to offer a feature set never seen before in videoconferencing."
User-focused product development
In developing PCS-1500, the company's aim was to combine sophisticated functionality with portability and ease of use. The end product achieves each of these goals. The basic processor unit is very compact and portable, weighing just 2,4 kg with dimensions of 182 mm(d) x 50 mm(h) x 257 mm(w).
Arriving at a location, all the user need do to use PCS-1500 is plug the unit processor into a television set, attach the ISDN line, enter the ISDN number in the set-up menu and dial away. A sophisticated menu system, operated via a remote controller, further enhances user-friendly operation.
The basic system provides 128 kbyte/s videoconferencing facilities and this can be upgraded up to 384 kbyte/s to provide superb video and audio quality.
Optional extras include a document camera with built-in PC presentation facility connected to the processor via an infrared wireless link; a LAN board that enables H.323 videoconferencing over local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN) and a V.35 interface allowing operation over leased lines.
"Within videoconferencing, there is parallel development of technologies to support ISDN and LAN infrastructures," commented Siereveld. "Through operating on both infrastructures, the versatility of PCS-1500 is greatly enhanced."
For details contact Dave Schultz of Sony SA on tel: (011) 620 8168, or Sean du Toit of Spescom (Sony dealer) on tel: (011) 266 1500 or Video Systems International (Sony dealer) Toll free on 0800 600 292.
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