What do you see as the future of Unified Communications?
Unified Communications will bring simplicity and effective communications within organizations for voice, messaging and virally grow video communications. Unified communications brings presences to the desktop not just for availability, but for audio and video communications, simplifying the end user’s comfort level and effective use to better communicate with others especially with video communications. Vaddio brings solutions to allow this effective simplified communications to be easily extended into small huddle rooms or conference rooms for group video meetings.
Do you think a PC can deliver high-quality professional AV?
Yes, PCs today have the processing and computing capability to efficiently process High Definition video and send and receive to the desktop, while running other applications. The new Intel processors and architecture in PCs such as the Core I3, I5, and I7 have shown to easily deliver high definition calls to user’s desk tops.
What is the difference between a personal and group conference solution?
Personal conferencing defines a person sitting at their desk using video applications to others at their desk and/or to other conference room based video calls with multiple people. Personal also implies a personal, familiar simple user interface (the user’s desktop) and allows the user to make ad hoc video calls just like making an audio call. Group conferences are usually defined as groups of people meeting in a conference room where this group would take part in a video call with other group or conference room based people gathered around a conference table, and/or others using a personal desktop video solution.
Can you explain how your EasyUSB solutions work?
Vaddio’s EasyUSB solutions are all based on UVC/UAC (Universal Video Class/Universal Audio Class) standards for USB 2.0 so there is no need for downloading any drivers – and no need for a particular OS to be installed on the PC. Think of EasyUSB solutions as just another peripheral to your computer like a webcam, keyboard or mouse – except they are professional-grade AV quality. They work seamlessly with any soft client conferencing systems including Skype, Google+, Cisco Jabber and Microsoft Lync, as well as lecture capture software systems such as Tegrity and Panopto – you name it. Want to record or stream a meeting one hour? Want to capture training the next? Just close one software application and open up another. Pairing a Vaddio camera to a PC opens a world of options.
How does your EasyUSB differ from what’s already available on the market (i.e. the Logitech cameras)?
For personal conferencing, Logitech cameras work great. But for those larger group conferences where you want broadcast-quality HD video, Vaddio’s EasyUSB solutions are ideal. These solutions are not intended to be an upgrade for the webcam experience, but to replace expensive, traditional videoconferencing room systems.
Why use your solutions versus a Polycom, LifeSize or Cisco conferencing solution?
PC-based conferencing is much more affordable than traditional conferencing systems and gives you a lot more options – recording, capturing, streaming – you are only limited to the capabilities of the software you choose.
How many simultaneous clients can a PC-based service a support on a single call?
EasyUSB products are just peripherals to the PC, so it becomes the mercy of the software you’re using. Whether you’re using Blue Jeans, which limits the head count to 25, or something like FuzeBox that can handle up to 100 people, again, it really comes down to software capabilities and bandwidth.
Do I need any special equipment at the host site?
You’ll need a PC with some type of collaboration software: Skype, Cisco Jabber, Microsoft Lync, Vidyo, etc. etc.
What are the entry costs to get into EasyUSB compared to traditional solutions?
You’re looking at about $4k – $6k vs. $10k – $20k.