LifeSize Communications and LG Electronics have teamed up to create an
all-in-one collaboration system, with video and audio conferencing capabilities
housed in a 24-inch high-definition display.
LG's executive conferencing system, announced June 9, is
powered by LifeSize's HD video communications technology, which is integrated
into the display.
The system offers point-to-point HD video calls at 720p30
resolution and includes an integrated 720p camera, microphone setup and
speakers. The display itself offers 1920-by-1080 resolution, and the system
interoperates with a host of unified communications offerings, video
communications systems and IP/PBX installations from third-party vendors,
including Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco
Systems, Microsoft and ShoreTel.
"Our guiding principle with the LG executive conferencing
system was to develop an attractive solution that makes communicating with
other video users simple," Jeff Dowell, vice president of digital signage
for LG, said in a statement. "The integration of LG HD display technology
with LifeSize's innovative HD video communications technology results in a
natural extension of the high-quality, immersive experience of LifeSize
room-based and telepresence systems."
Officials with both companies said the system is easy to set up
and deploy, requiring users to connect two cables. Through a LifeSize GUI, the
system can easily be switched back and forth between video conferencing and use
as a PC monitor, they said.
"As more people recognize the value of video
communications to improve collaboration and productivity, audio conference
calls are becoming a thing of the past," LifeSize CEO
Craig Malloy said in a statement.
LifeSize was bought
by Logitech for $405 million in December 2009.
Businesses are adopting video collaboration products from Cisco,
Hewlett-Packard, Polycom, LifeSize and others as a way of increasing productivity, cutting travel costs
and deepening collaboration with partners and customers.
LG officials said they expect LG to start shipping the
executive conferencing system in the third quarter, with pricing starting at
$2,999.
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