LifeSize®, the high definition video communications company, and Codian®, the leading manufacturer of high definition videoconferencing infrastructure, today announced that ISIME in partnership with RJ Macklin Associates have selected LifeSize and Codian as the high definition video communications providers for a historic peace summit between Israeli and Iraqi students taking place at the Cable Center on the University of Denver campus today [August 9th, 2007] at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time.

Led by Executive Director Professor Shaul Gabbay and human rights activist Barb Vogel, 25 Iraqi high school students visiting the University of Denver will have the opportunity to see faces, hear the voices, ask questions and begin a dialogue of mutual respect and understanding with teens in Israel representing Arabs, Jews, Christians and Moslems.

Read the full article: Students video conference to raise money for African schoolhouse

Technorati Tags: polycom video conferencing, fund raising

For a long time, LifeSize offered good high-definition video conferencing for about the same price as Polycom’s top-selling video conferencing (the standard definition VSX-7000 line). Polycom’s HDX line is definitely better if you have to have the top-quality audio and video for your impress-at-all-cost conference room, but at such a high price you would have to really cost-justify the purchase.

Now LifeSize has high-definition video conferencing for small, medium, and large businesses that is substantially lower in price than Polycom, even with the new Polycom HDX8000 line. It even costs less than Polycom’s old standard-definition VSX-7000! You can now buy high definition video conferencing while saving money.

What do you give up for the savings in price?

Well, Polycom’s equipment has more audio and video inputs. If you aren’t skilled at connecting equipment, this could be important. However, contact Video Communications and we can select what you need to connect everything you would want (such as DVD player, VCR, PC or Macintosh computers, iPods, cable TV). There are also differences in camera focus speed and color balance, according to Wainhouse reviews.
All Video Communications price quotes for LifeSize video conferencing equipment include the cables and adapters for connecting everything you need, and LifeSize models are substantially lower priced than Polycom or Tandberg.

How can LifeSize offer HD for so much less?

The LifeSize entire product line was designed newly, to match the high computing requirements for high definition video conferencing. The computing power improvements in the last few years, while costs have kept going down, mean that LifeSize can process faster video streams, with better compression and improved audio quality.

(Tandberg, on the other hand, is stuck trying to do high definition on a computing platform that can not handle the data, and has to drop to lower video quality in conferences that have even low levels of motion. Research “Static Macro Blocks” for more.)

Polycom is the market leader, and is focused on the highest quality video and audio. They have kept improving their product line, with little need to reduce prices. (While the new HDX8000 series lists for substantially less money than the earlier and more powerful HDX9000 series, each model offered still has a list price $7,000 more than the comparable LifeSize model. Both Polycom and LifeSize announced the new models in October 2007.)

Which would we recommend?

Video Communications will help you evaluate what equipment to get for the level of video conferences you plan to need. We suggest innovative ways of integrating video conferencing throughout your business, beyond using it for just management meetings like most companies do. For most scenarios we have evaluated, over the last 5 years, the greatly lower cost of the new LifeSize Express or LifeSize Team MP video conferencing equipment is compelling.

As an example, for a 5-site company, we recommended 1 LifeSize Room with 4-way Continuous Presence / 6-way Voice Activated Switching multipoint; 1 LifeSize Team MP w/Phone; and 3 LifeSize Express systems w/Phone, all with 42″ monitors. We included video selector boxes for connecting multiple Component and HDMI video sources, and easily selecting between them. They wanted our 90-Day Implementation, Training & Support Program. They also got document cameras, and software to connect via webcams when outside the office. The full system complete with all hardware cost less than $75,000!

If you have interest in using video conferencing equipment effectively in your organization, call us at 415-398-0980 and we will discuss what will work for you. Or, Contact VCI.

Contact us, at 415-398-0980 if you would like a copy, or email sales at our site.

As we expand our GSA listings, you can search GSA Advantage! for more products.

If you prefer, email us at sales@go-vci.com to get our price list.

Click on the link for VCI’s new Polycom Government Price List for 2007!

Based on the same technology used in Polycom’s legendary line of triangular SoundStation conference phones, the Skype-certified Polycom Communicator enables crystal-clear, natural conversations when using Skype. Enjoy the freedom of not wearing your headset for hands-free Skype calls, or plug into the built-in stereo headphone port for private conversations.

Polycom Communicator takes advantage of the entire frequency range provided by Skype, resulting in much clearer conversations than regular phones can provide.

The Polycom Communicator delivers high-fidelity wideband voice quality that sounds like you are in the same room with the people you’re calling. Two high-quality microphones provide excellent range for group conversations with up to four participants. Polycom’s Acoustic Clarity Technology eliminates echoes and feedback, maximizing your Skype experience.

Polycom Communicator connects and powers through an integrated USB cable for easy installation and use – no extra cables to carry or batteries to charge. Its small size and carrying case make it easy to take with you. Plus, the high-quality speaker doubles as a great portable solution for CD-quality music and presentation audio.

Unrivaled ease of use and Skype integration allow you to launch the Skype application and pick up or hang up calls without using your mouse. Convenient buttons and indicators for volume control and mute are also built-in.

Don’t settle for imitators – only Polycom Communicator deliver a hands-free Skype experience featuring:

• High-fidelity wideband voice quality
• Two high-quality microphones
• Polycom’s legendary echo cancellation and full duplex technology
• Integration with Skype for a seamless user experience

Contact Video Communications at 415-398-0980 or info@vcivideo.com