Cisco TelePresence

Cisco TelePresence, first introduced in October 2006, is a product developed by Cisco Systems which provides high-definition 1080p video, spatial audio, and a setup designed to link two physically separated rooms so they resemble a single conference room even though the two rooms may be on opposite sides of the world. Cisco has sold about 2,000 rooms, with about another 250 non-revenue (internal and philanthropic) units installed.^[1]

Cisco TelePresence codecs

Cisco TelePresence CTS-3200

This system adds a second row of tables to the CTS-3000 layout, to allow up to 18 people in a single TelePresence room. There are actually two rear row configurations; a twelve person configuration to allow up to eighteen people to be on-screen and, for smaller spaces, an eight person configuration to allow up to fourteen people to be on-screen. There are 3 65" displays and a high fidelity audio system.

Cisco TelePresence CTS-3000

Cisco TelePresence System 3000 is the higher end version of Cisco TelePresence, featuring three 1080p flat panel displays. The setup for the system include special tables, microphones, speakers, cameras, collaboration interfaces and lighting.^[2]

Cisco TelePresence CTS-1300

Cisco TelePresence System 1300 features a single 1080p flat panel display, but has a unique camera system that switches automatically to the active speaker. The Cisco TelePresence 1300 Series is ideal for team conferences. It seats up to 6 participants and consists of a single 65" display. The CTS 1300 maintains the life-size, immersive, TelePresence experience while offering more flexible deployment options.

Cisco TelePresence Manager software makes it easy to schedule and launch meetings with a push of one button on the phone. Integration with the highly available Cisco network offers reliability, quality of service, and security. CTS-1300 should deploy at mid July 2009.

Cisco TelePresence CTS-1000

Cisco TelePresence System 1000 features a single 1080p flat panel display.

Cisco TelePresence CTS-500

Cisco TelePresence System 500 features a complete 1080p system in a smaller form factor for a number of new uses from small office applications to small conference rooms. 37" LCD 1080p display and Camera.

Cisco TelePresence Multipoint Switch

Cisco TelePresence Multipoint Switch (CTMS) is a network infrastructure component that allows a total of 48 sites to connect in any combination (3 sites up to 48 sites) until the entire capacity of the switch is utilized. Multiple switches can be utilized and deployed if more capacity is needed. Video conferencing interoperability: When linked with the Cisco 5600 Media Experience Engine (MXE), the Cisco TelePresence Multipoint Switch provides interoperability with the installed base of H.323 and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) video conferencing endpoints. ^[3]

Cisco TelePresence Manager

Among a number of capabilities the one that is the most visible is the integration with groupware, such as Microsoft Exchange which gives the system the ability to easily schedule meetings.^[4]

Cisco TelePresence Recording solution

A new system turns the TelePresence product into a recording solution.^[5] CARIN, the first recording solution for Cisco CTS endpoints was released from TC&C, in 2008. ^[6]

Features

• H.264 video codecs to offer the highest quality and lowest bit rate
• Session Initiation Protocol
• Native 1080p high-definition cameras and displays
• Native 720p and 1080p high-definition encoding/decoding
• Low-latency architecture and low bandwidth utilization
• Wideband advanced audio coding with low delay (AAC-LD)
• Multichannel spatial audio with echo cancellation and filters to eliminate interference from mobile devices
• Optimized environmental conditioning to provide the best audio and video and overall user experience^[7]
• Interoperation with legacy video conferencing both SD and HD.
• Multipoint capability with 48 sites. With two people per screen 96 people can collaborate at the same time

Events and marketing

• The television series 24 features Cisco Telepresence product placements.
• Season 8. Episode 8 of NCIS also featured Cisco Telepresence product placements.
• Al Gore, John Chambers and multiple other continents participated in a world connected Cisco TelePresence event to discuss Climate change on March 19, 2008.
• The Cisco Network Emergency Response Vehicles (NERVs) use a special satellite-capable version of Cisco TelePresence when they respond to natural disasters.

Early employees

Philip Graham was the Vice President of Engineering & CTO, TelePresence which did the early research at Cisco and with Randy Harrell formed the Cisco Business Unit. Graham has left Cisco in 2011 for new opportunities at Avaya http://www.nojitter.com/feature/229402916?pgno=1

Randy Harrell is the Sr. Director of Marketing which formed the business unit with Philip Graham.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X28-XVxYeAc

See also

• Videoconferencing

References

1. ^ "Customer Adoption Drives Cisco TelePresence to 500-Unit Milestone" (Press release). Cisco Systems. 2008-04-20. http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2008/prod_042008b.html. 
2. ^ Cisco's TelePresence Meeting does video meetings in ultra-HD - Engadget
3. ^ Multipoint Information - Cisco Systems
4. ^ TelePresence Manager Information - Cisco Systems
5. ^ TelePresence Recording solution - Cisco Systems
6. ^ CARIN TelePresence Recording solution - TC&C
7. ^ TelePresence Technology Overview - Cisco Systems

External links

Official website