PictureTel Corp, based in Danvers, Massachusetts, has announced a personal computer-based Video Applications Development Environment comprising video modems, a software tool kit, and technical support. The system is based either on the company’s VM-4000 or VM-100 modems, both of which are said to conform the H.320 international standard, and are used to compress video, audio, data and control functions down to a bandwidth of 128Kbps. The software is Release 2.0 of the company’s Developer’s ToolKit, a Windows-based package which includes support for PictureTel’s H.320 algorithm. It is also said to support Microsoft Corp’s Media Controller Interface and Visual Basic development tool, and give programmers access to system functions enabling them to set up and control video audio, windowing, configuration and network communications. PictureTel says three US companies are already using its Application Developer’s Programme: Hyperview Systems Corp is said to be designing an interactive visual communications system enabling prisoners to be interviewed by lawyers remotely – no more having to make the trek out to those nasty, unsavoury gaols; Personal Financial Assistant Inc is said to be developing a banking service enabling customers to sit in a booth and arrange loans, mortgages, insurance and other services; while CAE-Link Corp is using it for medical imaging, tele-radiology, motion and still video sources and patient records, PictureTel says; no word yet on pricing for the thing.
