Sony have this month announced the imminent introduction of their first High Definition videoconferencing codec, the PCS-HG90. The PCS-HG90 codec will be available in Q4 2006 and heralds the inception of another of the "big boys" into HD. The PCS-HG90 can support interaction between up to four sites simultaneously over an IP network. The high end codec supports the H.264 HD video protocol with compression of 1280 x 720 , and a network bandwidth of up to 8 Mbps. The system can provide wideband stereo audio with stereo echo cancelling capabilities and  provides a high number of connectivity options, including HD-SDI, component, RGB, S-Video and XLR. The codec is rack mountable with optional side-rail brackets.  The system supports 128-bit AES encryption compliant with the ITU-T H.235 standard.

Standard Sony user convenience is provided through MemoryStick® support for storing and loading set-up parameters, upgrading system software as well as installing optional software and saving still pictures.

The videoconferencing endpoint market turned in yet another set of impressive results for the second quarter of 2006. Both classes of room systems had strong annual growth, with once again Polycom leading the way. On a worldwide basis, Q2 was a good growth quarter for “Team China,”, a welcomed improvement on the figures for quarter one.

Tandberg has announced the imminent introduction of a PC client software aiming to add video capabilities to IBM Lotus Sametime 7.5.  On a technical front, the Tandberg client is SIP based and supports point-to-point video calls - nothing special there, but it is the inconspicuious way in which the product has been released which is interesting. PC software and Tanderg together are somewhat of an odd couple - a paradox of philosopies. Is this a shift away from the room based reservation spendthrift market which Tandberg have focused on for so long? Video Telephony is certainly coming!