Polycom V700 Lowers the Barrier for Executive Desktop Video

Note: This is a pretty value priced video conferencing solution. I had a chance to listen in on the announcement of this product and was excited. I use a IP 501 with Asterisk as our office pbx solution. Now we are just waiting on Polycom to release a Full Color LCD IP Phone. *hint hint

"Polycom, Inc. released the V700, a new executive desktop video conferencing and collaboration solution designed for businesses wanting to add video communications at the desktop. The Polycom V700 is a complete, all-in-one system featuring quality video conferencing, an integrated display that can double as a PC monitor, integrated camera, microphones and speakers, and content sharing capabilities."

"As video becomes a critical communications tool within organizations, customers now have the choice of offering more employees award-winning Polycom video systems at their desktops with these new, lower-priced, high-quality V700 systems," said Ed Ellett, senior vice president and general manager of video communications at Polycom. "Polycom offers the industry's broadest range of standards-based video solutions from high definition telepresence environments and conference room solutions to desktop solutions for virtually every worker -- all of which interoperate seamlessly for enterprise-wide and inter enterprise communication."

Desktop video conferencing is set to experience significant growth according to industry analyst firm Frost & Sullivan, which projects the shipment of personal video conferencing systems (including executive desktop video conferencing systems) to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 24 percent over the next five years(1). In addition, a recent survey of attendees at the 2006 Polycom User Group conference, the annual meeting for the independent association of Polycom users, showed that 70 percent of respondents plan to either deploy desktop video conferencing or expand their current desktop video conferencing deployments in 2007.

The V700 delivers solid business-quality video conferencing capabilities, including, full-screen, full-motion 30 frames-per-second (fps) TV like video at up to 768 kbps bandwidth speed; Siren 14 wideband stereo audio for near CD quality, clear, natural voice communication; as well as standards-based H.239 high resolution content-sharing. The system features an integrated 17-inch LCD display, built-in camera, and microphones and speakers capable of delivering 14kHz wideband audio voice quality. The V700 also includes an intuitive remote control and audio prompts in multiple languages for easy use.

The V700 is the second entry in Polycom's value line of video conferencing and collaboration systems, which currently includes the Polycom V500 set-top video calling appliance for conference rooms that works in conjunction with a standard television. The V700 and V500 systems are completely interoperable with Polycom's market-leading VSX and HDX room and desktop-based video solutions, RPX HD telepresence suites, and Polycom's video network management systems.

"The V700 gives customers a complete, integrated executive desktop system that works with all other standards-based video conferencing systems and delivers solid performance and business-critical capabilities," said Ellett. "The V700 and V500 are well suited for remote workers and remote locations that may not have as much available bandwidth as a corporate office."

Pricing and Availability

The Polycom V700 is currently available for order worldwide through qualified Polycom channel partners for a MSRP of US$2,999.

Source: Polycom Inc.