Panasonic KX-VC300 Manual page 3

Why HD Video Conferencing for SMBs and Why Now
in a video conference, assuming interoperability issues are overcome. And, at every step of the way, somebody probably said of
the next advancement in interactive communications that, "this is the next best thing to being there!"
In fact, "being there" — actually the replication or even enhancement of the real-time, face-to-face experiences, and the
enriched exchange of information and understanding that comes from close-proximity engagement of more and more of our
senses, is a good way of thinking about the history of communications innovation. We of a certain age, for example, grew up in
a home with one or two black wired rotary dial phones, a radio, a record player and single black and white TV. Homes now hav e
screens of every shape and size everywhere. People globally seem to have a desire to "share" with others as much as possible
and do so with high-fidelity sound and high-contrast visuals, on their device of choice. In fact, the average U.S. college student
now has almost seven networked devices. Amazing!
What has happened in just the past few years is the beginning of the democratization and socialization of video conferencing.
Innovation and business transformation are key drivers on several fronts:
For room systems, high-definition (HD) picture presentation capability has become a must have: Standard
definition (SD) sessions have become unacceptable. In fact, much of the video conferencing market recently has been
comprised of large enterprises replacing SD with HD room systems. The requirement for more nuanced/immersive
capabilities that convey information and human insight has become paramount. This is partly a function of the global
recession and high gas prices impeding travel and thus justifying the investment in expensive, better quality systems. It
is also partly driven by the need to expedite decision-making and improve decision quality. HD video conferencing, for
example, gives places like hospitals, manufacturers, educational institutions and others with needs for high -resolution
exchange between remote resources the granularity they need for meaningful sharing. Th is is especially true when sub-
cameras are attached and graphics from PCs and input from white boards are part of an integrated solution.
Room systems are truly more "life-like": Things like high-fidelity directional microphones, high-fidelity speakers,
better cameras, HD screens, better codecs, and integration with collaboration tools like unified communications, white
boards, and a proliferation of horizontally and vertically-focused applications software have exponentially improved
experience quality.
Desktops have become more deeply integrated and engaged partners in room -based sessions: Particularly
those connected through enterprise video-enabled SIP-based PBXs enabling them to take advantage of things like real-
time unified communications.
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