Sony IPELA PCS-TL30 All-in-One Videoconferencing System

Bringing a new level of versatility and convenience to videoconferencing, Sony Electronics is introducing the Sony IPELA PCS-TL30 series, its first desktop videoconferencing solution for executive personal communication and/or small meeting space usage. Providing an all-in-one conferencing package, the new system features a unique pan-tilt-zoom camera embedded in an attractive 20-inch wide LCD display that doubles as a PC monitor. Add a LCD projector, High Definition Plasma or LCD display and get lifesize high definition video communication images in your conference environment.

IPELA by Sony - Bringing High Definition Quality Video to Videoconferencing. IPELA products will realize the original promise of visual communications systems through the incorporation of Sony's HD technology.

Features:

• All-in-one Design - The PCS-TL30 is an all-in-one videoconferencing system that combines a built-in camera, 17.1-inch (viewable area, measured diagonally) Wide-XGA LCD, speakers, and a microphone in one compact and sleek body. What’s more, it even doubles as a PC display. And the unit has a privacy cover that can be closed at times when the user prefers not to receive videoconference calls. The PCS-TL30 also has a height-adjustment and swivel mechanism so that it can be adjusted for optimal viewing. And because the unit meets VESA standards for mounting on a bracket, it can be installed in a way that maximizes desktop workspace.

• Easy Setup and Built-in Network Interface -With a built-in Ethernet interface, the PCS-TL30 can be configured by simply plugging it into a compatible LAN (minimum 56Kpbs, up to maximum 2Mbps) and making a few quick settings on its intuitive setup menu. The PCS-TL30 supports data-transfer rates of up to 2 Mb/s over IP networks (H.323), making high-quality videoconferencing possible.

• Simple Menu Structure / Easy Operation With a Mouse - The PCS-TL30 was thoughtfully designed with an intuitive GUI, utilizing translucent cascading menus and displaying all menu items on one layer. The PCS-TL30 can be controlled by the supplied mouse, which can be connected to it directly. The mouse can also be used to control a PC by connecting a separate cable between the PCS-TL30 and the PC. For ease of use, text messages are displayed at the bottom of the screen as a guide. And the intuitive icons make it quick and easy to change display layouts, capture images, and place calls

• User-friendly One-click Dialing - A unique feature of the PCS-TL30 is one-click dialing, which allows you to easily connect to any of your listed contacts with just a single click on the screen. By preprogramming contact information, picture icons and contact names will appear at the left side of the main menu. Up to 30 contacts for one-touch dialing can be flagged from a maximum of 300 registered contacts.
   
• Multitasking (Simultaneous Videoconferencing/PC) - With the PCS-TL30, the user can continue to work on their PC even while they are on a videoconference call. This unique feature is ideal for businesspeople who want to increase their productivity.
   
• Data-sharing Capabilities - When using the optional PCSA-DSM1 Data Solution Module, which is neatly integrated into the rear of the unit, the PCS-TL30 is capable of sending or receiving any image that can be displayed on a PC (presentation data) in native XGA resolution during a videoconference. And because the PCSA-DSM1 is equipped with an RGB Out connector, presentation data from the PCS-TL30 can be enlarged by connecting the unit to equipment such as a projector or a large display.
   
• Memory StickВ® /Memory Stick PROв„ў Media Support -If multiple users choose to use a single PCS-TL30, each user can store their personal contact information on Memory Stick media cards. After inserting the Memory Stick media into the PCS-TL30, the unit automatically recognizes and activates the private phonebook, thereby eliminating the need to re-enter contact information to place a call. In addition to the private phonebook function, the PCS-TL30 accepts Memory Stick media for storing still image data received from the user’s videoconferencing counterpart, capturing videoconference images, and for installing optional software.
   
• Still Image Capturing Function - A still image of the user’s videoconferencing counterpart can be captured and stored in the PCS-TL30 memory or on Memory Stick media. This image can then be easily registered in the address book as a picture icon for one-click dialing.
   
• Multiple Display Modes - The PCS-TL30 has multiple display modes such as Full Screen, Picture-in-Picture, or Picture-and-Picture (including a side-by-side split screen). What's more, a unique 3-window layout mode is available, which displays presentation data on the left side of the screen while displaying videoconferencing images in two small windows on the right side of the screen. Any of these flexible display modes can be selected so that both videoconferencing images and presentation data can be displayed in a manner that is effective and pleasing to the eye.
   
• Excellent Video Quality - The PCS-TL30 complies with the ITU H.264 video codec in addition to previous versions of the ITU videoconferencing codec to maintain compatibility with legacy systems. ITU H.264 is the latest video standard that offers high-picture quality at a much lower bit rate than the H.263 standard.
   
• Superb Sound - Clear and natural-sounding audio is produced with the PCS-TL30 as it supports MPEG-4 AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) at 14 kHz. Boasting dual-integrated speakers and a built-in echo-canceling microphone, audio quality is much higher than conventional speakerphone systems. Also, a microphone jack and a headphone jack are available for external microphone or headset use.
   
• Secure Videoconferencing - Secure videoconferencing over a network is possible because the PCS-TL30 supports 128-bit encryption. The PCS-TL30 offers two encryption modes, one that complies with the ITU-T H.235 standard, which allows encrypted communication with other H.235-compliant systems, and another that is Sony proprietary, which is ideal when connecting to other PCS Series systems. When either of these encryption modes is active, video, audio, and graphics are encrypted for the duration of the videoconference.
   
• QoS (Quality of Service) - When holding a videoconference over a network, a common concern is how to maintain video and audio quality when the performance of the network is changing. The PCS-TL30 provides two advanced functions to enhance QoS over a network:
   
• Adaptive Rate Control (ARC) - The adaptive rate control function automatically varies the audio and video bit transfer rate to meet changing network conditions. It also selects the most appropriate frame rates, which helps to prevent audio and video breakup.
   
• Real-time Auto Repeat Request (ARQ) - The real-time ARQ function recovers lost IP packets. This is performed by buffering the packets at the encoder and resending any that are lost. This feature helps maintain the audio and video quality, and helps prevent picture collapse even under high network traffic conditions.
   
• Transportable - The all-in-one PCS-TL30 is equipped with a handle and has a relatively light weight of 8 kg (17 lb 10 oz), making it very portable and easy to transport.
   
• Participation in Multi-point Videoconferencing - The PCS-TL30, as a dependent unit, can be used to participate in multi-point videoconferences. When the host system, such as the PCS-TL50 or PCS-G50 is equipped with MCU (Multipoint Control Unit) software, the PCS-TL30 can receive multi-screen video images and audio directly from that host system. Also, by using the Broadcast Mode on the unit, the user can override the multi-screen video image and send the user’s image to all of the videoconference participants as required.
   
• Wireless LAN Capability - By connecting an external wireless LAN device to the network interface of the PCS-TL30.