eSP - IT Solution Providers in Europe

Already available in Taiwan and soon to be sold elsewhere, Vivitek introduces a short-throw front projector that projects 95".

The 95-inch screen short-throw projector aims at the household, educational and enterprise markets. It supports 3D display and features 3,000 lumens brightness and 2,500:1 contrast ratio.

The company aims to ship 200,000 projectors worldwide in 2010, up from about 100,000 units in 2009. Clients from Europe, America and Asia each account for one-third of its current orders, Vivitek says, adding that it became a top-five projector vendor in China in Q4 2009.

Projectors that Vivitek plans to launch in the second half of 2010 will all be 3D-ready models, Vivitek noted. Vivitek also plan to launch pico projectors...both stand-alone and built-in models...in 201.

Go Vivitek

ClearOne launches the VIEW platform, what they say is a new line of IP-based HD audio/video distribution and control network products based on its patented StreamNet technology.

The VIEW solution claims to offer functionality beyond just AV distribution- it also provides source control, a GUI - graphical user interface-, sensor and relay control-- all user controllable and programmable.

Distributing AV over IP is an obvious transition in our market and one that rAVe's been saying is coming for a few years, and the ClearOne's VIEW has what they are calling LAN Cloud Matrix Switching system, allowing any source to be dynamically routed to any display or audio zone.

The VIEW will debut in hardware form at InfoComm.

Go ClearOne VIEW

Pixavi introduces an explosion proof version of the Xcaster 5000 HD camera series.

The rugged camera is certified for Zone 1 both for ATEX (Europe) and IECEx (international). Pixavi has applied it's advanced intrinsically safe camera technology to enable communication from any Zone 1 or Zone 2 environment on an international level.

The need for high quality collaboration solutions throughout enterprise markets is increasing rapidly. This is seen through an increasing adoption of Video Conferencing and Telepresence as well as web based collaboration solutions. By introducing the Xcaster EX 5000, a Zone 1 certified version of the Xcaster 5000 series, Pixavi can bring this technology to customers within chemical plants, oil and gas, shipyards, mines and other environments requiring strictly certified electronic equipment.

The Xcaster EX5000 offers wireless audio, video and still image collaboration tool for Zone 1 hazardous area. With powerful features like 802.11n and High Definition video as well as versatile video conferencing support, the device operates on standard WiFi networks and requires no extra software on the receiving side to operate.

Despite the tough economic environment, sales of telepresence hardware, software and services grew to $567 million in 2009, says ABI Research in a new study.

"Nearly any size company has access to telepresence and video conferencing services," says David Lemelin, director of the ABI's Enterprise Communications Research Service. "Suppliers are helping businesses transition to telepresence by introducing personal and room-based HD video conferencing solutions. Telepresence room rentals are also on the rise."

Expanding the options for access to telepresence products and services is critical for maintaining strong market growth.

"Video conferencing products that are a step above talking heads' at reasonable price points allow companies to experience the benefits and incorporate them into their business processes," adds Enterprise practice director Dan Shey. "This begins a cycle of growth that will lead to using true telepresence systems."

Factors that will drive the telepresence market 4X to reach $2.7 billion by 2015:

• Saving on travel costs particularly for companies experiencing supply chain expansion;
• Suppliers targeting companies with legacy video teleconferencing systems and expanding telepresence system interoperability;
• Telepresence enhanced with unified communications features such as whiteboards, document sharing and webcam videos;
• Growth of managed and cloud telepresence services from vendors such as Glowpoint, BT Onesource, Verizon and AT&T;
• Telepresence products for mobile employees and devices such as laptops and smartphones.

Go ABI Research's "Enterprise Telepresence and Video Conferencing" study