Canon and 8x8 to Promote Videophones and Communication Cameras as an Economical Solution for Distance Monitoring.LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 1998--Canon USA Inc. and 8x8 Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : EGHT) announced today that the two companies will work together to promote a unique visual communication solution in such applications as remote monitoring (protocol) remote monitoring - (RMON) A network management protocol that allows network information to be gathered at a single computer. Whereas SNMP gathers network data from a single type of Management Information Base (MIB), RMON 1 defines nine additional MIBs that provide a , surveillance and business applications that is easy to implement and also economical. The two companies will cooperate in promoting the combination of Canon's popular series of Communication Cameras with Pan-Tilt-Zoom, and 8x8's ViaTV Modular Videophone (1) (VideoPhone) A line of videophones (definition #1 below) from AT&T that were introduced in the early 1990s and later pulled off the market due to poor sales. The first models came with a price tag above $1,000, and a pair were needed. See Picturephone. . "By eliminating the need for a PC, this unique combination substantially drives down the cost of two-way video and audio, and is extremely simple to install and operate," said Hiroshi Shimoda, director and general manager of Canon USA Inc.'s visual communications systems division. The companies anticipate working together to plan for cooperative advertising, distributor product training, trade shows, as well as other marketing efforts in major U.S. markets. "High component costs and reliance on digital telephone circuits have been the principal barriers to wide acceptance of visual communication in such applications as videoconferencing and monitoring," said Shimoda. "The combination of Canon's remote controllable pan-tilt-zoom cameras and 8x8's video codec (1) A hardware circuit that converts analog video (NTSC, PAL, SECAM) into digital code and vice versa. The term may refer to only the A/D and D/A conversion, or it may include the compression technique for further reducing the signal (definition #2 below). See codec. will offer a unique, complete, easy to install and economical solution for a variety of visual communication applications. 8x8's concept of using standard telephone lines (POTS) means that any business, small or large, can take advantage of one way or bi-directional audio and video communications right away." "The combination of the Canon VC-C3 Communication Camera and our ViaTV Modular Videophone and Speakerphone is dynamite," said Mike Noonen, 8x8's vice president of business development. "For about the same cost of some high-end audio High-end audio is a term used to describe equipment that is purported by the manufacturers to be the best, regardless of the price. Definition of 'high-end' High-end audio only conferencing solutions, Canon and 8x8 are able to deliver full-duplex video and audio conferencing See audioconferencing. over standard telephone lines," Shimoda added. About the Canon Communication Camera The VC-C3 Communication Camera is a high resolution video camera with remote control capability for panning, tilting and zooming in a compact form factor (4" x 4" footprint) the camera's position and lens settings can be remotely controlled by the ViaTV Videophone or locally by using the hand held infrared controller. This pan-tilt-zoom capability, along with the unit's high signal-to-noise ratio The ratio of the power or volume (amplitude) of a signal to the amount of unwanted interference (the noise) that has mixed in with it. Measured in decibels, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR or S/N) measures the clarity of the signal in a circuit or a wired or wireless transmission channel. , makes it particularly good for small group conferencing, as well as remote monitoring/surveillance type applications. In addition, Canon offers an optional document camera (RE-350) as well as a multipurpose mul·ti·pur·pose adj. Designed or used for several purposes: a multipurpose room; multipurpose software. multipurpose Adjective desktop type camera (VIZCAM 1000) both of which are compatible with this system design. These optional cameras often find applications in business conferencing type systems. Most interesting about this combined Canon and 8x8 system design is the simplicity of installation and operation. The existing TV set and touch-tone telephone are an integral part of the system's operation and they are readily available in a home, office or hotel room. About 8x8's Modular Videophone The ViaTV Modular Videophone (model VC50) is a compact audio/video compression and decompression device. The VC50 Videophone has three audio/video inputs, allowing it to use Canon's video communication cameras, video cassette recorders, Canon digital still image cameras, Canon RE-350 Document Cameras, as well as computers for video input. It uses a standard TV as a display unit, eliminating the need for additional component expenses. A standard touch-tone phone serves as the audio and camera control (pan/tilt/zoom function) interface. Since users can switch video sources during a video call, it is easy to interleave To intersperse one after the other. See sector interleave and memory interleaving. interleave - interleaving presentations, slide shows or pre-recorded videotapes with live video images from the Canon VC-C3 camera. ViaTV Videophones have a wide range of features, including electronic pan/tilt/zoom, snapshot self-view, auto answer (1) A modem feature that accepts a telephone call and establishes the connection. See auto dial. (2) A cellphone feature that answers the call after some number of rings, allowing you to use a headset and receive a call without manual intervention. and caller ID A telephone company service that sends the caller's telephone number between the first and second ring of the call. If the calling number is not blocked, the calling number is displayed on the handset or base station of the called party. . Auto answer, in particular, allows the ViaTV Videophone to be used as a security monitor allowing business owners to monitor stock rooms, manufacturing operations Manufacturing operations concern the operation of a facility, as opposed to maintenance, supply and distribution, health, and safety, emergency response, human resources, security, information technology and other infrastructural support organizations. , child care, elder care, etc., from the comfort of their own office, homes or a remote hotel room miles away. About 8x8 Inc. 8x8 Inc. is a manufacturer of video conferencing See videoconferencing. (communications) video conferencing - A discussion between two or more groups of people who are in different places but can see and hear each other using electronic communications. systems, semi-conductors and software. 8x8's headquarters are in Santa Clara Santa Clara, city, Cuba Santa Clara (sän`tä klä`rä), city (1994 est. pop. 217,000), capital of Villa Clara prov., central Cuba. , Calif. 8x8's European office is located in London. For more information on ViaTV Videophones, please call 8x8 toll free at 888/VIEW-8x8 (888/843-9898) or visit the company's web site at http://www.8x8.com. For information about ViaTV Videophone products in Europe, please call 44/1628-402800. Dealers and resellers can receive more information on price and delivery by contacting WYNIT Inc., Syracuse, N.Y., the authorized distributor for this package. They can be reached at 800/999-9648. About Canon USA Canon USA Inc., headquartered in Lake Success, N.Y., is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging equipment and information systems. Canon's extensive product line enables businesses and consumers worldwide to capture, store and distribute visual information. Canon products include copiers, facsimile machines, word processors, typewriters and calculators, video camcorders, cameras and lenses, semiconductor equipment, broadcast and optical equipment, and other specialized industrial products. Canon USA Inc. has more than 10,000 employees in North, South and Central America and the Caribbean. -0- 8x8, ViaTV and VC50 are trademarks of 8x8 Inc. Canon, VC-C3, VIZCAM 1000, and RE-350 are trademarks of Canon USA. CONTACT: Canon USA, Inc. Russell Marchetta, 516/328-5145 rmarchetta@cusa.canon.com Canon Web Site: http://www.usa.canon.com |
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