San Antonio, Texas-based systems integrator Datapoint Corp – it now maintains its world headquarters in Paris, has come up with a desktop videoconferencing system, based on a new low cost coder-decoder sourced from Vista Communication Instruments Inc of Espoo, Finland. Datapoint says that the new non-proprietary, lower cost Vistacom CCITT device is an important step […]
San Antonio, Texas-based systems integrator Datapoint Corp – it now maintains its world headquarters in Paris, has come up with a desktop videoconferencing system, based on a new low cost coder-decoder sourced from Vista Communication Instruments Inc of Espoo, Finland. Datapoint says that the new non-proprietary, lower cost Vistacom CCITT device is an important step in reducing the price barriers associated with videoconferencing systems. It will be manufacturing the devices in its Texas plant under an OEM deal with Vista Communication. The codec converts and compresses analogue video signals to digital code for transmission over telephone lines and then decompresses and reconverts at the receiving end. It supports all CCITT standards including the H.261 and H.320 and is available in two speeds: a low-speed 384Kbps version and 2Mbps high-speed version. It can also be shared across a network – unlike other systems, which require each user to have a codec – which also helps reduce costs. It also provides a means for previously incompatible codecs to communicate. At the centre of the videoconferencing system is a Datapoint Minx cluster server linked to a maximum of eight Minx workstations. The server can be used as a switching device for local videoconferencing and for national and international conferences once connected to the codec. Multiple servers can be used to provide support for larger user groups. The servers are connected to the workstations by Datapoint’s Minx video network which uses analogue signals to provide television quality images. The 80486SX-based workstations feature Datapoint’s 2002 personal computer monitor unit with high resolution Super VGA monitor, internal camera, speaker and microphone. The interface to the workstation is a telephone-type keypad for dialling and other functions. When not in videoconferencing mode, the systems can be used to run Windows-based applications. The Minx systems will start shipping in the first quarter of 1993. The cost of a video network including two workstations and 2002 monitors, a Minx 8-port Local Video Network Cluster Server, Minx Codec and Minx Control software is between $57,500 and $61,500. Each additional workstation comprising monitor, adaptor board and 804086SX personal computer is $12,700.
