Radvision rolls out new top end for Scopia videoconferencing line

Radvision (Nasdaq: RVSN), which has been fighting an uphill battle to establish itself in the high-end videoconferencing space against Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) and Polycom (Nasdaq: PLCM), this week rolled out what could be a big win for the Israeli company.

Its Scopia XT5000 endpoint is the first room system, it says, to combine dual HD 1080p/60fps video and content, HD audio, H.264 High Profile and SVC.

"It's brand new architecture," said Bob Romano, corporate VP of global marketing. "We've redesigned it from the ground up and it's simply the most powerful endpoint in its class."

Romano said the Dual HD 1080p allows users to videoconference in HD, and to also stream a second channel in high-definition. That means users who might want to share images or video during a presentation can do so without sacrificing quality. More specifically, users who might want to use a second camera, in an education setting for example, can do so in HD.

And, with both H.264 HP and H.264 SVC, the system delivers bandwidth efficiency along with performance. The endpoint also includes three beamforming mics per unit, meaning the mics can find where a voice is coming from and reduce or eliminate superfluous surrounding noises.

Radvision offers businesses the option of using a standalone MCU or an embedded MCU. The advantage to an embedded MCU, especially for small businesses, is price, said Romano.

"A lot of our customers don't want to put in a standalone MCU," he said. "So we embed one that can be dialed into. It can mean more scale and functionality for an SMB."

Another of the useful elements included with the XT5000 is the ability to interface with it via a standard remote control, or by using an iPad app.

The iPad controller makes use of the tablet's user interface, meaning you can zoom in by pinching your fingers together on the screen or pan the camera by swiping left or right.

"A remote control can be intimidating," said Romano, adding that the iPad controller has been well received in the marketplace.

The XT5000 will be available in the first quarter of 2012 and carries a pricetag that isn't very intimidating, either. The unit lists at $10,500.

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