Sony introduced today the first 1080i HD videoconferencing system - the Sony PCS-XG80. Combining 1080i high resolution and a frame rate of 60 fields per second, the PCS-XG80 promises unrivalled live video quality for an alternative to face-to-face meetings. The system is backward compatibile with SD legacy systems over IP and/or ISDN. In an industry first, this product also features BrightFace, Video Annotation, and RF Remote functionality.



The PCS-XG80 is an expansion of Sony's current HD PCS group systems lineup, and incorporates PCS-HG90 functions and features. From PowerPoint and animations to live DVDs, users can also share PC data in HD at 30 frames per second. With the dual stream functionality this means that users can actually send two separate streams of live, HD information in parallel. Both live camera view and for example animated PowerPoint can be displayed in HD on two different screens or projectors at the remote site.

Featuring 6-site multipoint conferencing, users can call up to five other remote sites to simultaneously meet and multi-language support for 20 different languages means users can avigate through the menus.

The PCS-XG80 will be available for shipping from spring 2008, at a list price of approximately €7000 (exclusive of VAT).