Polycom Fights Cisco With New Telepresence Video System

Polycom's new Telepresence Experience High Definition (TPX HD) 306M system is a full room videoconferencing setup that aims to provide video calls that seem lifelike, closely approximating the dimensions and detail of face-to-face meetings. It is priced one-third lower than the comparable offering from Cisco.

The TPX is the latest addition to Polycom's line of telepresence offerings, which launched in May 2006 with the rollout of its RealPresence Experience (RPX) portfolio.

While the RPX provides what Polycom calls "immersive telepresence" with a complete standardized full-room structure with rear-projection displays to accommodate up to 28 users per room that even includes the ceiling overhead, the TPX is a smaller setup built for six users per room.

SLIDE SHOW: Polycom Takes on Cisco In Telepresence

The TPX includes a wall unit that incorporates three 60-inch HD plasma displays, videoconferencing equipment, cameras and a high-fidelity stereo system. The setup also includes a conference table, 360-degree ceiling microphones and a touch-screen control system.

"This product is more flexible," said Marcio Macedo, director of product management at Polycom, Pleasanton, Calif. "The channel can add its own value." For example, partners can supplement the setup with additional displays for viewing content and presentations, he said.

Polycom's telepresence lines interoperate with each other and support all standards-based desktop and room videoconferencing systems.

The TPX will compete with Cisco's TelePresence 3000, which features three 65-inch plasma displays and carries a list price of around $300,000. The TPX is priced at $199,999 and is scheduled for availability in November.

Polycom Monday is also expanding its HDX videoconferencing line with the new 8000 series, a two-display setup aimed a small and medium-sized conference rooms. The line also includes the new HDX 4000, a high-definition executive desktop system and the HDX 9000 for large meeting rooms and classrooms. The HDX 8000 high-definition system is priced at $13,999 and is scheduled for availability in November.

Polycom's strategy to enable its high-definition video wares to interoperate with legacy equipment enables customers is helping channel partners make sales, said Todd Vincent, director of sales at SKC Communication Products, a Polycom solution provider in Shawnee Mission, Kans.

"Especially in the GEM (Government, Education, Medical) space, there is still a ton of legacy gear. Polycom interoperates with that and enables customers not to lose their investment. [It prevents] them from not being able to purchase because they don't have the budget to replace their full videoconferencing environment," Vincent said.