Objective Communications Announces New ATM Gateway2 to Transmit High Quality Real-Time Video Over ATM Wide Area Networks
Major Breakthrough in Desktop Video Networking Over ATM WANs Targets Telecommunications Carriers and End Users With Private Networks
New Solution Brings Look and Feel Of Live Meetings to Wide Area Videoconferencing
Friday June 26, 7:55 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Objective Communications, Inc.
PORTSMOUTH, N.H., June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Objective Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: OCOM) -- the first to provide a complete, integrated real-time video communications solution comprising videoconferencing, video distribution and video on-demand -- today announced another industry-first breakthrough with the release of its ATM Gateway2. The ATM Gateway2 is the first solution to facilitate television-quality video communications over wide area ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) networks. The ATM Gateway2 is a high-speed networking interface that connects to Objective's VidPhone System(R), a video communications solution which delivers three key services -- multipoint videoconferencing, access and retrieval of stored video and video distribution -- to desktops and conference rooms via the same twisted pair telephone wiring already installed in businesses and organizations. With the ATM Gateway2, users can make wide area ATM calls right from the desktop, class room or conference room -- anywhere a VidPhone System is installed.
The ATM Gateway2 is targeted to large and medium-sized corporations; medical institutions and government concerns which will be using new ATM backbone networks built by major telecommunications carriers. Sprint's recently introduced Integrated On-Demand Network (ION) is one of the key ATM networks designed to run high-speed data and video applications.
Breakthrough Video Quality Delivers ''Look And Feel of Live Meetings''
The ATM Gateway2 provides greater long distance connectivity and bandwidth necessary to transmit high quality video and audio to multiple worldwide locations via wide area ATM networks. Other WAN transmission approaches, such as ISDN, suffer from bandwidth limitations that hinder video quality by causing stuttering, blockiness, blurring and significant delays. These quality issues have impeded the progress of video communications applications in mainstream business and commercial markets, according to Objective Communications President and Chief Executive Officer Steven Rogers.
''The ATM Gateway2 transmits 25 times more video data than 384 kilobytes-per-second ISDN -- this provides a much higher quality video that has the look and feel of a live meeting. And, delays are reduced to 30 milliseconds, which is comparable to a normal long distance telephone call,'' he said. ''This breakthrough in the performance and quality of videoconferencing will attract new markets -- such as telemedicine, distance learning, financial services and the Fortune 1000 corporate sector -- that have been waiting for a high-quality real-time video communications solution for the enterprise,'' he said.
Furthermore, end-users implementing next-generation ATM and multimedia networks such as Sprint's ION, can now fully leverage that investment via the transmission of real-time video communications to national and global sites.
''These users are ready to adopt real-time video as a daily business communications tool -- similar to e-mail and the telephone -- to realize a faster return-on-investment of ION and other next-generation networks. And, their telecommunications carriers are eager to facilitate the adoption of real-time video solutions to make their networks more viable and competitive,'' said Rogers.
Cost Effective Resource Sharing
Because the ATM Gateway2 is a central resource, it allows organizations to share access across all installed VidPhone Systems. There is no need to install separate CODECs at each desktop or to install multiple ATM lines at each VidPhone System. As a shared resource, a single ATM Gateway2 can sequentially support up to 60 users, making it a highly efficient, valuable solution for the enterprise, according to Rogers.
Using the ATM Gateway2 and The VidPhone System
With the ATM Gateway2 connected to the VidPhone System, wide area ATM calls can be made right from the desktop, classroom or conference room. Users simply select the VidPhone directory on their desktop and place their wide-area call. There is no need to go to a designated ATM-wired meeting room. The ATM Gateway has two ports, which allows it to support two bi-directional calls at any given time. For greater capacity, organizations can simply add more Gateways to the VidPhone Switch, the heart of the VidPhone System.
The ATM Gateway2 sends compressed video, audio and data from the VidPhone Switch across the network to the target ATM Gateway. When the compressed data reaches the desired site, the video, audio and data are delivered to the target VidPhone Switch. The ATM data rate is significantly higher than that of ISDN -- about 10 Mb/s, compared to 384 Kb/s. With such high bandwidth and low latency, the ATM Gateway2 makes every conference look and feel like a live meeting.
In addition, the ATM Gateway2 can be used to interconnect multiple VidPhone Switches so that they can act as one large multi-user switch.
Key Product Features
The ATM Gateway2 includes a DS-3 or OC-3 physical layer network interface with an ATM link layer network interface supporting PVC operation using Q.2931 signaling. Cables for connection to the VidPhone Switch Direct Access cards and local terminal ports for CODEC diagnostics and call set-up are included. Key product features include the following:
TV-quality video compression at 8 Mb/s
CD-stereo quality audio (uncompressed)
Dedicated data channel for collaboration and call control
Two independent bi-directional audio, video and data channels
Pricing and Availability
The ATM Gateway2 will begin shipping in July 1998. Pricing begins at $34,950 U.S. For sales information, please contact Objective Communications at 1-800-763-8099. The Government Sales Office can be reached at 1-800-403-2787. More information is available on the World Wide Web at objectivecom.com.
About Objective Communications, Inc.
Objective Communications is the first company to deliver a total, real-time video communications solution that includes videoconferencing, video distribution and video on demand all in one integrated system -- the VidPhone System. Based on the patented VidModem(TM) technology, the VidPhone System uses standard twisted pair telephone wiring to bring TV-quality video to desktops, meeting rooms, lobbies, operating rooms -- anywhere there is a phone jack. More than just a high-quality videoconferencing solution, the VidPhone System combines live broadcasts, point-to-point and multipoint videoconferencing, visual collaboration, video on demand, wide area ISDN and ATM connectivity to provide organizations with a total video communications solution.
Objective's patented technology and unique video networking architecture represent a dramatic departure from traditional videoconferencing systems. These systems monopolize corporate networks and incur significant telephone infrastructure upgrades and line charges -- while delivering mediocre video quality. These have been major barriers which have hindered the widespread adoption of video solutions in global markets. The Company's common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ''OCOM.'' Find us on the World Wide Web at objectivecom.com.
VidPhone System is a registered trademark of Objective Communications, Inc. VidModem is a trademark of Objective Communications, Inc.
SOURCE: Objective Communications, Inc.
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