Polycom Aims New Videoconferencing System at the Desktop

While IT departments might not be able to outfit every desktop with Polycom's new videoconferencing system, the vendor hopes that at $3000 for a business-quality setup, they might be willing to deploy a few systems in the executive suites.

The new Polycom v700 solution is an all-in-one videoconferencing solution, including business-quality videoconferencing, an integrated 17-inch display that can double as a PC monitor, integrated camera, microphones and speakers and content-sharing capabilities.

The system is designed for officewide use in small and midsize businesses, as well as to drive desktop use deeper into larger enterprises, Polycom said.

According to Frost & Sullivan, shipments of personal videoconferencing systems are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 24 percent over the next five years. Polycom said a recent survey of its users showed 70 percent interested in deploying desktop video to some extent this year.

The V700 delivers full-screen, full-motion 30 frames-per-second video at up to 768 kbps, wideband stereo audio, and standards-based H.239 content-sharing.Polycom already offers another low-end videoconferencing solution, the Polycom V500, which works with standard televisions and is designed as a low-cost conference room solution.

The Polycom V700 is available today and costs US$2,999.