Tele, is this a significant product?
ViewCast.com Announces Viewpoint VBX Version 2.3;...
Date: 8/9/99 9:48:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: AOL News
ViewCast.com Announces Viewpoint VBX Version 2.3; Support for PictureTel 4000 Series codec, Macintosh Environments and German Localization
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 1999--ViewCast.com, Inc. (Nasdaq:VCST) the company that offers high-quality video communication solutions, today announced the release of Viewpoint VBX(TM) Version 2.3.
The Viewpoint VBX System provides a flexible video PBX architecture that manages multiple network and video compression types, delivering TV-quality video to hundreds of PC and Macintosh based desktops throughout an enterprise. The Viewpoint VBX can handle both broadcast and two-way video and is used for many applications such as videoconferencing, distance learning, corporate training, surveillance and telemedicine. When paired with the company's ViewCast(R) Internet Streaming Solution, the Viewpoint VBX offers a way for users to take any video application from the Viewpoint VBX, digitize this high-quality analog video content, then stream it over the Internet.
The Viewpoint VBX Version 2.3 includes support for PictureTel (Nasdaq:PCTL) Series 4000 codecs and Macintosh clients. Support for the PictureTel 4000 allows corporations, educational networks and financial institutions to control expenses through the sharing of this resource. In addition, the Viewpoint VBX Version 2.3 has been localized for the German market and can be easily localized for other countries and languages. The Viewpoint VBX also supports H.320 (ISDN) and H.324 (POTS) conferencing codecs, and the company plans to support the H.323 (IP) compliant Osprey(R)-1000 codec in the near future.
"The Viewpoint VBX is a very flexible system that lets us incorporate high-quality video into our classrooms," said Jerry Davis, director of technology at Campbell Union School District. "The teachers and students are excited about the videoconferencing and other communication possibilities that Viewpoint VBX offers."
"We are pleased that our customers now have access, through the Viewpoint VBX, to the large installed base of business associates that are using the PictureTel 4000 Series and to educational environments that have standardized on Macintosh clients. These advancements make the Viewpoint VBX that much more valuable to any organization that relies on high-quality video for enhanced communications," said Bill Keever, Vice President at ViewCast.com.
Viewpoint VBX Release 2.3 Product Highlights
-- Viewpoint VBX Release 2.3 is completely internationalized. The
internationalization process enables ViewCast.com to create VBX
components for international markets, quickly and easily. As a
result, VBX 2.3 includes the simultaneous release of Viewpoint
VBX Server, Codec Manager, WorkFone(R) VBX and WorkFone 320
components, in both English and German languages. In the future, other languages can be supported as demand grows. All language
versions utilize the same software code base to guarantee
interoperability. For example, a German WorkFone works with an
English VBX Server and vice-versa.
-- VBX 2.3 integrates with ViewCast(R) Streaming Video Servers and
G2 Codec Arrays. Using Osprey-1000 G2 codecs, users can stream
VBX video over the Internet or corporate intranet. For example, an executive can use WorkFone to access a ViewCast server
attached to the VBX and stream video over the Internet from any
desktop.
-- Codec Manager 2.3 supports PictureTel System 4000 codecs.
Leveraging ViewCast.com's powerful Codec Driver Model (CDM) architecture, WorkFone users can now access shared PictureTel
codecs for placing and receiving calls. Also, PictureTel
settings, such as audio levels and picture-in-picture (PIP) mode, can be adjusted in real time across the network using Dynamic
Call Control(TM). Dynamic Call Control, an exclusive feature of
WorkFone VBX, allows users to control codec settings during a
call, from the desktop. In addition to PictureTel, Codec Manager
supports ViewCast.com's Osprey-1000 H.320 codecs, Osprey-1000 IP
codecs, NEC VisuaLink H.320 codecs and C-Phone H.324 codecs.
Also, Codec Manager will support Osprey-1000 H.323 codecs (in
development) when they become available later this year.
-- VBX 2.3 provides new Automatic Call Distributor (ACD) capabilities, including an ACD Administrator application for
managing video call routing. Using VBX ACD, incoming calls are
queued and routed to available call center agents, automatically.
In addition, an agent can transfer an incoming codec call to
another agent, or conference the caller with another agent, without disconnecting the codec call. "Viewpoint VBX is the only
system available that can queue incoming video calls, regardless
of protocol, and route those calls among multiple agents in a
call center," said Dave Stoner, Vice President at ViewCast.com.
-- VBX 2.3 provides Access Control capabilities, allowing system
administrators to decide who can access expensive resources, including codecs and remote switches. In addition, system
administrators can restrict access to other users. This allows
system administrators to organize users based on customizable
group profiles and access privileges. For example, video service
providers can provide video distribution and videoconferencing
services to multiple tenants in an office building. Users are
grouped by tenant so that they may call other users within their
group. Users in other groups are not visible in the WorkFone
interface and, therefore, cannot be called.
-- The VBX 2.3 release also includes an updated VBX Server SDK for
building custom client applications that communicate with VBX
Server and a BETA version of the new WorkFone VBX for Macintosh, expected to be released in Q3-1999.
About ViewCast.com
ViewCast.com makes the Internet and corporate networks viable highways for video communications through its components, systems, and turnkey solution products. The company is known around the world as the leading provider of enterprise-wide, digital video communications solutions for both real-time and on-demand applications. Osprey(R) video cards, ViewCast(R) streaming video solutions and Viewpoint VBX(TM) system products deliver a wide array of video solutions for digital video communication systems. ViewCast.com is unique in its ability to deliver cutting edge networked video solutions while delivering systems to transition legacy video communication systems. ViewCast.com's products are available from leading OEMs, system integrators, leading resellers and application developers worldwide.
Visit our Web site at viewcast.com for more information.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect the Company's current judgment on certain issues. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are described in the Company's reports on Form 10-KSB and 10-QSB on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
All Trademarks are property of their respective holders.
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CONTACT: Shelton Communications Group
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Fax: 972/239-2292
or
Contact:
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