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High-Def Conferencing At A Low Price
LifeSize makes high-definition videoconferencing usable and affordable for small companies.
3 Min Read
LOST CONNECTION
We also discovered, accidentally, that LifeSize Express units don't handle loss of physical network connectivity gracefully.
We inadvertently disconnected the unit from the switch while on a call, and on a separate occasion we lost power to one of our network switches. In both cases, the LifeSize Express units had to be rebooted in order for calls to be placed when connectivity was restored. That's not a deal killer, but keep your cables protected when setting up the unit.
Video output is handled through a single HDMI connector. This proved problematic for our test setup because only one of the test monitors had an HDMI connector. An inexpensive HDMI-to-DVI cable remedied the problem; users with older high-definition sets that accommodate only component (Y Pr Pb) video will have to get a converter box to display LifeSize video on their sets.
LifeSize Express includes VGA and HDMI inputs to show remote presentations; a one-eighth-inch audio jack to connect the included LifeSize MicPod or another microphone; a FireWire jack to connect the LifeSize pan, tilt, and zoom or Focus camera; and line-out and line-in audio jacks.
The optional LifeSize Phone includes 16 microphones in a circular array for enhanced audio.
Setup of the LifeSize Express was a breeze. The unit can be configured via static or DHCP IP addressing and supports both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. Configuration menus are simple and intuitive, and are accessed via a slim silver remote. We would like to have had some configuration buttons on the device itself, however. When our lab staff misplaced the remote, we couldn't configure the box or place calls.
Overall, we were impressed with the performance of LifeSize Express' HD videoconferencing, which will enhance meetings and collaboration. You'll need to tweak QoS settings so that latency doesn't turn a videoconference into an exercise in futility. But compared with the high cost and hassle of air travel, LifeSize Express can be a valuable communications tool.
THE UPSHOT |
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CLAIM: LifeSize Express aims to make high-definition videoconferencing accessible to more companies. Traditionally, HD videoconferencing technology has been priced at a level that only the largest of global enterprises could afford. With Express, LifeSize provides telepresence capabilities for less than a few cross-country airfares.CONTEXT: There are several other players in the market, including Cisco, Hewlett-Packard, Polycom, Sony, and Tandberg. These companies' videoconferencing systems aimed at SMEs and branch offices generally offer standard video and range from $5,000 to $10,000. LifeSize Express' $5,999 price tag puts HD videoconferencing well within reach of many businesses.CREDIBILITY: LifeSize has been a player in the HD videoconferencing market for some time. The company has brought its experience with higher-end gear to a lower price point with LifeSize Express. Despite a few hiccups in our lab, the unit performed well during testing and was easy to set up. |
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