Objective Communications Debuts Version 1.5 of the VidPhone System
10/26/98
Business Wire
(Copyright (c) 1998, Business Wire)
ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 1998--
New VidServer(TM) Gateway Rounds-Out The Company's Solution For
Videoconferencing, Broadcast Distribution And Video
On Demand With Full-Motion, TV-Quality Images
Objective Communications Also Previews New VidPhone(R) Gateway,
Allowing VidPhone To Be Used
With Tandberg 2000/5000 and Other Vendors' CODECs
At Telecon '98, Objective Communications(R), Inc. (NASDAQ: OCOM) is debuting Release 1.5 of the VidPhone System, rounding out the Company's solution for three video services in one: videoconferencing, video on demand and broadcast distribution -- all with TV-quality images.
Release 1.5 of the VidPhone System includes the new VidServer Gateway for video on demand, the VidPhone Gateway for control of other vendors' CODECs, and new laptop and headset implementations.
"The VidPhone System makes video genuinely useful by putting high quality video on the desktop and in the conference room -- with no load on the LAN," said Stevan Vigneaux, Director of Product Marketing. "VidPhone is easy to use and easy to install over the existing premise telephone wiring. Plus, it's a lot more than conferencing. With the latest release we're bringing the power of video-on-demand to the same system that delivers the highest-possible quality point-to-point and multipoint conferencing."
Integrated, TV-Quality Video on Demand with the VidServer Gateway
At Telecon '98, Objective Communications is showing the industry's first gateway for video playback and video on demand with full-motion, TV-quality images. The VidServer Gateway, which acts as an intelligent interface to any standard Windows NT server, decompresses MPEG -1 and MPEG - 2 digital video and delivers media over cost-effective twisted pair telephone wiring. Because the VidPhone System uses existing on-campus (Category 3 or Category 5) telephone wiring, the video never touches the corporate LAN. This allows the end user to experience full-motion video no matter how many users are attached to the twisted pair "network" -- whether those users are holding a videoconference, watching a satellite news channel, or playing back a video using the VidServer Gateway.
For ease of operation, the VidServer Gateway features intuitive VCR-like controls. Video "channels" are listed in the VidPhone directory, where users can make their selection. The user has full control over the video -- play, pause, stop, skip forward and skip backward commands are just a mouse click away. Every VidPhone Station has access to the video, and up to eight Stations can simultaneously and independently view the same material. The VidServer Gateway also provides a new multicasting capability, which allows the administrator to broadcast media to anyone connected to the System. For video storage, the VidServer Gateway connects to any NT-based server or any Fibre Channel disk array, enabling end users to store up to thousands of video hours.
"Training employees, especially those who work staggered shifts or are geographically distributed, is a challenge many businesses face today," commented Vigneaux. "With the VidServer Gateway, organizations can train their staff on demand, right at their desktops, in a timely and cost-effective manner. The VidServer Gateway allows them to share knowledge and expertise in the highest form possible -- visually -- with every employee, on every shift."
New VidPhone Gateway Offers Interoperability with Other Vendors'
CODECs
With the debut of Release 1.5 of the VidPhone System, Objective Communications is introducing the new VidPhone Gateway for wide-area communications. A dual CODEC solution, the VidPhone Gateway is configurable for control over other vendors' CODECs, Objective Communications' H.320 CODECs, or even one of each. At Telecon '98, Objective Communications is showing the VidPhone Gateway controlling the Tandberg 2000/5000 CODECs. With the VidPhone Gateway, end users can add enterprise-wide, TV-quality video communications to an existing solution, and still leverage the investment made in a legacy CODEC. The Gateway also provides:
-- Automated attendant functions, so the incoming caller can
transfer directly to the person they are trying to reach without
having to use a live attendant.
-- Billing data collection, so the administrator can track and
export usage information for billing generation.
-- Status reporting, so the administrator can monitor the CODEC
through the VidPhone Switch.
Flexible Laptop and Headset Configurations
Responding to the ever-growing number of laptop computer office users, Objective Communications is introducing a new VidPhone laptop configuration. This new kit includes a high-quality PCMCIA card, VidPhone software, a VidModem(tm) and a desktop camera. Objective Communications is also offering a headset cable for use with any standard 3.5 millimeter headset connection. By using a headset, employees can increase conversation privacy and reduce cubicle noise. Both the laptop and headset kits will be available as part of the 1.5 release.
Pricing and Availability
The Company plans to ship Version 1.5 of the VidPhone System in Q4 1998. For pricing and specifications, call 800/763-8099.
About Objective Communications
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. Based on the innovative VidModem 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, and wide area ISDN and ATM connectivity to provide organizations with a total video communications solution. For more information visit: www.objectivecom.com.
VidPhone and Objective Communications are registered trademarks and VidModem and VidServer are trademarks of Objective Communications, Inc.
CONTACT: Objective Communications, Anaheim Julie O'Brien, 603/334-6719 or Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, New York Vincent Daniels, 212/838-3777
11:17 EST OCTOBER 26, 1998
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