AT&T AT&T Introduces "Face-to-Face-to-Face-to-Face" Videoconferencing.BASKING RIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 1995--For the first time, as many as four different sites can be seen and heard simultaneously on videoconferences using a future capability of the AT&T MultiPoint Control Unit See MCU. . This new capability, called Continuous Presence, allows up to four videoconferencing A real time video session between two or more users or between two or more locations. Although the first videoconferencing was done with traditional analog TV and satellites, inhouse room systems became popular in the early 1980s after Compression Labs pioneered digitized video systems sites to be continually displayed in four quadrants on the monitor screens at each site. This differs from today's videoconferencing where the participants view only one site at any given time. Because AT&T's new feature, also known as quadrature quadrature, in astronomy, arrangement of two celestial bodies at right angles to each other as viewed from a reference point. If the reference point is the earth and the sun is one of the bodies, a planet is in quadrature when its elongation is 90°. , is based on the H.320 international standards for videoconferencing, it allows Continuous Presence calls between sites with any standards-based desktop or group video systems. "Continuous Presence provides a more natural conversation environment through increased participation, interaction and involvement," said Martin J. Welt, director of visual communications, AT&T Global Business Communications Systems In telecommunication, a communications system is a collection of individual communications networks, transmission systems, relay stations, tributary stations, and data terminal equipment (DTE) usually capable of interconnection and interoperation to form an integrated whole. . "You can see the reactions and body language of participants at four other locations, even those not talking." Last fall, AT&T was the first to demonstrate two other new multipoint conferencing Same as teleconferencing. This is a rather redundant phrase, because conferencing implies three or more participants, rather than point-to-point between two people. features -- data sharing The ability to share the same data resource with multiple applications or users. It implies that the data are stored in one or more servers in the network and that there is some software locking mechanism that prevents the same set of data from being changed by two people at the same time. simultaneous with voice and video communications, and Universal Conference Control which allows users to make changes to conferences in progress using any touch-tone phone. The company started shipping the AT&T MultiPoint Control Unit Release 3.0 this month, and plans to ship its AT&T MultiPoint Control Unit with Continuous Presence in early 1996. Continuous Presence will be available as an upgrade option for current AT&T MultiPoint Control Unit customers. "We're excited to see AT&T deliver on their promise of innovative solutions for the multipoint conferencing market," said Dick Rossi, director of University Telecommunications Services at California State University, Sacramento California State University, Sacramento, more commonly referred to as Sacramento State or Sac State, is a public university located in the city of Sacramento, California, USA. It is part of the California State University system. . "In our distance learning application, the Universal Conference Control lets me easily change back and forth among the participating sites with the touch of a button. And, using AT&T's MultiPoint Control Unit with quadrature will allow for an even more interactive classroom experience." AT&T will demonstrate Continuous Presence next week at the International Teleconferencing Association's annual meeting and trade show (Booth No. 112), in Washington, DC. Prices for AT&T MultiPoint Control Units start at less than $25,000 for the four-port entry-level model. Systems can be easily expanded up to a full capacity of 64 ports. AT&T sales representatives are currently offering customers bundled packages designed to meet customized needs for complete videoconferencing solutions. AT&T offers total service and support before, during and after the sale, the company said. The AT&T MultiPoint Control Unit is designed by AT&T Bell Laboratories according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. processes that conform to Verb 1. conform to - satisfy a condition or restriction; "Does this paper meet the requirements for the degree?" fit, meet coordinate - be co-ordinated; "These activities coordinate well" ISO (1) See ISO speed. (2) (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, www.iso.ch) An organization that sets international standards, founded in 1946. The U.S. member body is ANSI. 9001 standards. Customers can call 1-800-VIDEO-GO to receive more information about the AT&T MultiPoint Control Unit, the AT&T Conference Reservation System and other AT&T Visual Solutions(R). The toll-free number connects them with AT&T's Video Technical Center in Denver where dozens of specialists provide a range of services, including the video, data and telephony design and project management of complex, multi-location video systems. CONTACT: Nancy Culton 908-953-7527 (office) 908-234-9416 (home) OR Jo Johnston 908-953-7525 (office) 908-638-4547 (home) |
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