ShowMe HD

LifeSize Introduces New Multipoint MCU 230

Scott — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:22:20 +0000

Introducing LifeSize® Multipoint 230™

LifeSize Multipoint 230 is the next generation high definition video communications bridge. LifeSize Multipoint 230 utilizes the latest in DSP technology. With a 3U blade system, this superior MCU enables up to 30 sites to participate in True High Definition for natural, immersive multiparty calls at the best price performance per port on the market.

Features and Benefits:

True HD — 720p30 multipoint conferencing up to 30 video participants
Up to 15 simultaneous HD 720p30 conferences per bridge
Flat capacity — encoder per participant delivers quality for any endpoint
Scalable architecture built for dispersed and centralized environments
19 unique layouts with up to 16 participants displayed

For more information, visit Lifesize.com

LifeSize Announces LifeSize Desktop

Scott — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:20:45 +0000

LifeSize is excited to announce LifeSize® Desktop video software, which will be demonstrated at the LifeSize booth at InfoComm 09 in Orlando, Florida June 17-19. This new PC-based desktop video application further differentiates LifeSize as the market leader in HD video and will be generally available in Q3 2009. Pre-register for the free trial now by clicking here.

LifeSize Desktop works with off-the-shelf web cams and is performance-optimized for today’s PC’s, allowing knowledge workers to stay connected to their colleagues, customers, or partners from virtually anywhere in the world. Remote users can easily connect and communicate with high quality video at any bandwidth, over the corporate VPN, or through LifeSize Transit, for secure NAT/Firewall traversal.

LifeSize® Desktop^TM delivers:

HD Video and Audio: Clear 720p30 receive @ 1Mbps with advanced wideband audio.
16:9 Layout: Send and receive video in widescreen format to fit with your HD room systems.
Ease of use: Intuitive and familiar user interface.
CPU Efficient: Low CPU utilization enables HD video communications even with multiple applications running.
Asynchronous Bandwidth: Separately configurable to ensure the best video quality.
Simple Deployment: Installation takes minutes, no central server or infrastructure required.

LifeSize Releases 4.1 Software

Scott — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:41:56 +0000

LifeSize has just announced the general availability LifeSize Software v4.1 for all LifeSize video systems. Designed to increase quality, performance and flexibility of the video communication experience for users and administrators of LifeSize video systems, LifeSize Software v.4.1 enables:

60 Frames per Second Decode now available on LifeSize® Team 200^TM and LifeSize® Express 200^TM extending the superior performance of LifeSize® Room 200^TM to the edge of the network
Improved Display Layouts providing users better options and more control when using LifeSize’s unique feature Virtual Multiway during bridged calls
SIP Enhancements supporting Dual Video and increased integration with Microsoft Office Communicator

As previously communicated, this is the last release that will support the LifeSize Team product

To upgrade access the support download tool located here.

Updated Discount Price List

Scott — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:20:04 +0000

A revised price list has been posted to ShowMeHD and can be downloaded by clicking here . The price list allows you to change the contract pricing depending on quantity: hopefully allowing for more accurate budgeting and estimating. Note there there are two worksheets included on the sheet. Page two lists a number of misc items that can be purchased (replacement remote controls, etc).

To view the main product list with the service bungle pricing, click here.

Test sites

Scott — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:58:42 +0000

Below is a short, but reliable, listing of test sites. If you’d like to load into your addressbook, this list is also included in a .csv file and can be downloaded below. To load into your lifesize unit, download your current address book, merge it with this file and upload back to your lifesize unit. If you need assistance with doing this, contact Scott at scott@showmehd.com .

Test Sites

Name: Aquarium HD
- Address: fishtank.lifesize.com

Name: Gumballs
- Address: gumballs.lifesize.com

Name: PicturePhone
- Address: 64.132.48.70

Name: VTC-CALLBACK (Not HD)
- Address: 71.14.2.158

Name: Washington DC (Not HD)
- Address: 64.47.22.10

Name: Wisconsin Test Center (Not HD)
- Address: 205.213.68.147

Name: Kaleidoscope (Call to Schedule first (573-424-4254)
- Address: 216.106.29.103

Name: Polycom HDX 8000
- Address: 140.242.250.205

Files

Click here for a .csv file that you can integrate into your addressbook .

Have a High Definition (LifeSize, Polycom, or other brand) site that can be used for testing? Please share ! Just respond with a comment below and I’ll add to the list.

Registration is Open for MODLA Conference

Scott — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:50:04 +0000

Join ShowMeHD and Kaleidoscope Videoconferencing at this year’s MODLA conference. The 2009 MoDLA conference will be held on July 9-10, 2009 at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo. We’ll be there with a booth and we’re looking forward to seeing you there. For more information and to register for the conference, check out:

MODLA Web Site: MODLA.org
You may register online at: http://www.muconf.missouri.edu/MODLA

LifeSize Kits Available: A Turnkey Distance Learning Solution

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:13:50 +0000

Need to simply your installation? Tired of looking through a hundred pieces of literature in an attempt to make sure that everything you purchase is compatible? Worried that you’ll forget something? Well, then our new LifeSize Kits are what you need. They include everything that you need to get up and running with the best High Definition Videoconferencing System available today at the same great pricing. Check it out at by clicking here.

Lifesize Express vs. Polycom QDX

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 18:13:57 +0000

In February, Polycom launched the QDX 6000 endpoint. This system appears to be causing some confusion in the market due to Polycom positioning this as a “High Resolution” system. This is compounded by the fact that we have seen instances where Polycom partners have promoted the product as a low cost ($3,999), High Definition system to compete with LifeSize Express. To be clear, the QDX is a standard definition system. The “high resolution” description from Polycom and some channel promotions have confused this issue. The maximum resolution the QDX can support is 4CIF (704×576.) In addition, Polycom promotes the flexibility of the QDX even though it only supports five (5) resolutions and degrades frame rate to 15fps below 512 Kbps.

By comparison, LifeSize Express is a true HD system that can deliver a superior experience of 1280×720p at 30fps at 1Mbps. LifeSize Express is also highly flexible. To put it in technical terms: LifeSize Express gradually reduces spatial resolution as bandwidth decreases while maintaining a constant 30 frames per second for the best experience. LifeSize Express supports dozens of resolutions to ensure interoperability with standards-based HD and SD endpoints. With prices starting at less than $4999, LifeSize Express is an outstanding value for customers needing a high quality, flexible video communication system.

UM Life Sciences Chooses LifeSize

Scott — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:43:22 +0000

"Having been involved in videoconferencing for over a decade on the UM Columbia Campus, I was very excited about putting a high definition videoconferencing system to use on our campus. We conducted a two-day "Shoot out" of all the HD videoconferencing systems on the market and LifeSize from Kaleidoscope was the clear winner. They offer the best price and performance. We have been using our systems for over a year now and are very happy with our choice."

-Roger Heath, Wan Engineer Expert, University of Missouri.

You can contact Roger Heath at:(573) 882-2255 or via email at HeathR@missouri.edu

"We all (four campuses) worked together on the decision making process with the intent of enhancing the ability of researchers on different campuses to collaborate on projects. After narrowing it down to 3-4 systems, we agreed that Kaleidoscope’s offering–LifeSize HD Videoconferencing–was the best. I have known Scott for a long time and he’s very respected and knowledgeable in the field, so once the project evolved we decided to have Kaleidoscope install a LifeSize System in the large Monsanto Auditorium as well."

-Cynthia Scheiner, IT Manager for the MU Life Sciences Center.

You can contact Cynthia at: 573-882-1172 or via email at scheinerc@missouri.edu.

For more information on the LifeSize Videoconferencing systems deployed by Kaleidoscope Consulting for the UM Bioinformatics Consortium, visit this website.

Welcome to ShowMe HD

Scott — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:54:19 +0000

Welcome to our new web site ! We choose to set up this site just to support the growing number of LifeSize users in Missouri’s education community. I think that this community will grow rapidly in the coming months and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to take advantage of High Definition Videoconferencing in your classroom!

We’ll be posing updates, tips and resources to this site’s blog (once or twice a week). Rather than having to check back on a regular basis, you can use the to the right to receive information about updates to the ShowMe HD blog via email.

Let me know what you think of this site and how we can be of service!

Scott