From Multimedia Futures, a sister publication.
Toshiba Computer Systems Inc and Winnov Inc are two companies aiming their videoconferencing technologies at the mobile arena – with prices to come in at around $500. Both companies are planning their strategies around the PC Card interface, both conform to the H.324 standard, but there are some subtle differences. Toshiba’s system is the Noteworthy Business Video Phone. It has a color analog camera, video cable connectors and a CD-ROM software package. And the VideumConf Traveler from Sunnyvale, California’s Winnov adds a headset for extra privacy in public. But while Toshiba is putting Intel Corp’s ProShare software at the front of its system, Winnov’s choice is the more open standard of VDOnet Inc’s VDOPhone and White Pine Inc’s Enhanced CU-SeeMe, adding the moniker Internet compatible to the system. It’s our belief there will be more videoconferencing over the Internet because it’s free, president James Miller told Electronic Engineering Times. However, the transfer rate over Internet’s TCP/IP protocol will be far from reliable. At the current capacity of the Internet, Winnov’s Traveler will likely overload after 5 frames per second. Both companies expect prices to remain competitive and to attract the new user. Winnov predicts a price tag under $400 next year and Toshiba sees the price as a defining point of acceptance: At this price point, videoconferencing should begin to take off, said Mike Wagner, director of desktop marketing at Toshiba. Of course, you’ll need to hit [a certain] critical mass, too. Toshiba says it is targeting sales of 50,000 in the first 12 months. Winnov’s camera, made by Philips Electronics, features remote camera pan/tilt/zoom control, and video capture of up to 30 frames per second. Toshiba’s is the IK-D30. Toshiba is expected to ship this month; Winnov will begin shipping in February next year.
