9 Video Conferencing and Collaboration Technologies at ISE 2015

Jupiter’s Canvas is a collaborative visualization tool that allows users to access and share video, audio, and data with colleagues anywhere in the world on a variety of devices. Wirelessly connect to the system from a laptop by entering a URL for screen sharing. Share live H.264 video streams, VNC viewer windows, active web browser windows, and desktop presentation screens, with two-way annotation, and create shared whiteboards for real-time collaboration. All canvas participants share a voice chat, while Microsoft Lync integration and the ability to connect via SIP conferencing systems allow for multiple participants on different systems.

The InFocus MondoPad touts itself as a total mobile office for employees working or offices that want a system that isn’t stagnant. Plug the MondoPad in and it automatically assigns the user a number and e-mail address. You can then change the number and e-mail to your name, or whatever you’d like. The system runs on Windows 7 and comes with a camera and speaker for video conferencing and video calls. Send an invitation to anyone with internet access and their device will connect to the Mondopad’s IP address and security. You can then share content, and those working on tablets can download the MondoPad app for two-way annotation. You can video call with people that have that capability, but what is more impressive is that the MondoPad can connect to your network to become, essentially, a giant touchscreen desktop, with videoconferencing, web browsing, Office capabilities, and more. When the MondoPad shuts off the numbers change so previous participants can’t get into the system, and Windows updates are free as they come out.

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Cisco TelePresence IX5000 Series is the industry’s first H.265 triple-screen product. The cameras are 4K Ultra High-Definition and the screens are 1080p60 with half the bandwidth of existing power, while the entire system requires zero room remediation at half the power. Chat with up to six participants to create a group videoconferencing settings. A dedicated tablet on the table allows for multiple content sources to be pulled onscreen and realigned as the users see fit. The system runs on a single codec, and includes 18 microphones and 19 speakers. Cisco installers can have the system up and running in your office in just about eight hours.

Ricoh’s Interactive Whiteboard D5510 provides high resolution display and easy remote image sharing to stimulate interaction and collaboration. The 55-inch, full HD 1080p LCD display incorporated LED backlight and Gorilla glass 2 for a sleek and stunning look. Writing feels natural with electronic pens, which come in 20 colors and 4 thicknesses and incorporate an erase function. The device ensures every annotation is captured and mirrored, and the device supports OCR recognition which is saved as searchable content. Share written content with up to 8 units connected via intranet, so there is no need for separate server or software installations. Up to 20 computer or tablet users can join to view an interactive session via remote browser viewing as well.

Oblong Mezzanine can fit into a variety of environments, but its essence is tied into collaboration. Each Mezzanine appliance, which carries the software within, allows for five feeds to run into the hardware. Those feeds can be videoconferencing cameras, live television feeds, cables plugged into laptops, surveillance, airplay, and so on. The appliance can then send the information to six displays per appliance. Each Mezzanine unit, whether they are tied together or working remotely, can display up to 11 simultaneous feeds. Data on-screen is manipulated remotely with gestures from a ‘wand,’ and each Mezzanine system can annotate and manipulate to be reflected by each subsequent system.

Polycom’s EagleEye Director Camera offers a tracking solution that provides studio production performance for enhanced interaction. Broadcast-quality camera location highlights, zooms in, and frames active speakers in optimal proportion. Voice triangulation moves to the speaker’s voice whether sitting, standing, or moving around. Face-finding focuses on the speaker’s face to erase errant noises around the room. When multiple participants begin to speak at once, the system will pull to an overall view to prevent confusion.

Prysm’s Synthesis software is what makes their video wall systems a collaborative juggernaut. For organization, the software allows for an unlimited amount of users to create different projects, and save chapter within those projects. As for working on the wall, the Synthesis software allows for intuitive ease-of-use. Many points of touch allow for up to ten people at least to work on the board at the same time. Screens can be easily managed, scaled, annotated, captured, and sent through the internet just by using touch commands on the screen. There is also a snap grid option that offers arrangements of screens. Simply drag a screen into a grid location until the box lights up yellow, and it will automatically fit and fix itself to that spot, making presentations that much easier. Whiteboards, web browsers, and presentation applications are just a few of the screens that can be pulled up at a moment’s notice. The system can show any type of file by converting it to a flat image and working on it as a display.

Microsoft is reimagining the conference room with their Surface Hub conference room solution. The OneNote Whiteboard tool allows for dozens of touch points and three pen-touch points, while also allowing for multimedia data to be converted onto the whiteboard surface. Built in sensors help the device wake up when users near. Meeting start with the touch of a button and participants can shar content wirelessly from Miracast capable devices. The Surface Hub also provides a platform for third-party developers to build large-screen apps for the system, while apps like Office and Skype are included.

Kramer Electronics introduced firmware v1.6 for the VIA Collage featuring iOS mirroring. With an integrated Airplay receiver, the award-winning wireless presentation and collaboration solution now lets users show content from any iOS device on a main display. VIA Collage meeting participants can collaborate on and finalize projects in real time. Up to six user screens can be shown on a single main display and up to 12 on two displays. Users can also view the main display on their device. With any laptop, tablet or smartphone, users can view, edit and comment on documents simultaneously, share files instantly and chat with other meeting participants.