There Are Always Options...
It is true - there are always choices to be made when it comes to video conferencing, but...
well, the video after the jump probably explains it better.
Video Conferencing Resolutions for the New Year
As impressed as you might be if I were to list the ways video conferencing can help you trim those unwanted pounds and quit smoking, let’s instead take a look at more familiar resolutions in video conferencing: 720, 1080, ….will 1440 be a New Year Resolution in 2011?...
High Definition video conferencing is all the buzz in today’s video communication world, and rightly so – a high quality, high definition video conference is not only impressive; it is effective at driving productivity, improving communication, and controlling travel costs.
And as the quality of the video resolution and frame rate increases, so does the quality of the overall video conferencing experience and consequently end-user adoption and demand.
However, the trend for higher resolutions and pristine video quality is paralleled by another, often competing trend.
What Santa Got For Christmas
Anyone else still getting last-minute holiday shopping done?
Seeing all of the Mall Santa’s around gave me an oddly eerie feeling this year. There’s a suspicious amount of uniformity among them. The red coats, the white beards, “Ho Ho Ho” inflections, the side of the head the hat folds toward (always to the right), even the color palette and circumference of the rosiness on their cheeks – I’m convinced this is no coincidence.
I have no doubt that this kind of synchronization of Santa’s “big helpers” could only be accomplished through coordinated video training, much like the kind frequently employed by organizations around the world using a video conferencing MCU.
Organizations from manufacturing to retail to education to medical to government have long been utilizing the power of multipoint video conferencing to quickly bring large groups of constituents up to speed. It only makes sense that Old Saint Nick would look to the same technology to help standardize the Mall Santa industry.
With Sony’s HD Video Conferencing terminals and a High Definition MCU from Compunetix, organizations of all shapes and sizes can easily bring together kids from 1 to 92 (actually up to 3600 sites can join a call at CIF resolution with Compunetix’s scalable solutions), whether a multi-national enterprise from the North Pole or a local chestnut roaster with a national sales team.
So as you’re wrapping up that last bit of shopping and checking your list twice, be sure to let your local Mall Santa know his training paid off.
Happy Holidays from the Spire Global Family to yours.
-Jeremy
7 Ways Video Conferencing Can Save Your Stuff
As video conferencing usage continues to explode, so does the variety of applications.
Inspired by a recent news story, the thought crossed my mind: what if Sony Video Conferencing could help fight crime? Far-fetched? Perhaps not-- the result of this pondering follows.
7 Ways Sony Video Conferencing Can Save Your Stuff
1. 1080 High Definition 10x optical zoom PTZ camera
No need to squint, you’ll be able to pick “the perp” out of a lineup in no time. Even catch what brand of gloves they were wearing.
2. Bright-Face Technology
Less-than-ideal lighting? Not a problem with Sony’s Bright-Face technology. It provides optimum facial lighting for a brighter, clearer picture, down to the freckle.
3. Memory Stick Recording
Easily record the live video or capture still images directly from the codec onto a Sony Memory stick. Share by email, upload to YouTube, or take the media files directly to the police station.
4. Multi-Point Calling
Need a witness? Connect with a neighbor or co-worker to watch the events unfurl by hosting a quick multi-point call. Encourage your neighborhood watch headquarters to add a video conferencing system as well.
I'm Thankful For...
We have a lot to be thankful for this past year: Our health, family and friends, Fortune magazine finally announcing that Verizon’s getting the iPhone– you fill in the blank. Regardless of what it is we’re thankful for, the holidays are a good time to reflect on all the blessings and great people around us, and to remember and thank those who afford us the freedom to celebrate – sacrificing their time with family and friends, and sometimes their lives to serve our nation.
One exciting perk of video conferencing is the chance to reconnect families who are miles apart due to deployment. Organizations like the Freedom Calls Foundation have been incredibly generous, and do a great job of bridging the gap during the holidays.
Great Scott! The Future is Now
“Back To The Future”, the timeless trilogy starring Michael J. Fox turns 25 this year -- October 26th, to be exact, marking the day Marty McFly saw history and his future re-written in a time-traveling DeLorean.
To celebrate the occasion, the cast and crew reunited, select AMC theatres brought the trilogy back to the silver screen, and Universal Studios released a special Blu-Ray trilogy pack loaded with special features, commentary, and crisp HD picture.
One of the things that still impresses me is the creative vision of director Robert Zemeckis, predicting what fashion, technology, and culture would look like in the year 2015. He didn’t get it ALL correct, but it’s impressive nevertheless, for instance…
(more after the jump)
Video Conferencing Commercial Defines Productivity
After our last post, I was reminded of a great commercial done by Fedex in ’08.
watch after the jump...
Truly Mobile Video Conferencing
I thought it was just another normal day...
Had my coffee, checked the latest industry news, responded to the morning round of emails, and prepped for a semi-regular meeting with one of the executives from our partner, Mirial. He usually calls in from his laptop using Mirial’s ClearSea client, while I’m on my Sony HD room system (usually, the PCS-XG55).
Little did I know he was already out for another meeting that morning. But rather than cancel our meeting, he just connected the video call into my Sony conference room system from the golf course using his cell phone – Yes! His cell phone! The video and audio quality were great, and the backdrop was actually much more scenic than the typical conference room or home office.
Oh That’s Right… You Can See Me!
I had lunch with a friend the other day that is really observant. He loves people watching – it’s actually quite hilarious. People have the oddest tendencies; a flick of the hair, a drawn out chin scratch, the raising of eyebrows, awkward smiles.
My guess is most people have natural facial expressions that they themselves have never seen. But with the increasing access to Video Conferencing, I’ve seen two responses:
1) People are now extremely self-conscious and constantly checking themselves out during our video conversations,
or, the more common
2) People still have no clue, but now expose their idiosyncrasies on our 52’’ display.
The Social Side of Video Conferencing
Recently, I saw an article highlighting an event with a unique twist. It was an evening of wine tasting that was hosted by the owners of the winery themselves –and simultaneously attended by more than 800 people in more than 30 locations across the US.
Using video conferencing to broadcast and interact in a one-of-a-kind experience, Winestyles, a national wine retailer was the organizer of the event. Michael Mondavi, founder of Folio Fine Wine Partners, led participants through an engaging wine-tasting experience, sampling and learning about six different wines grown at his vineyards.
