I’ll bet.

So,

From (CNN) – “A Southwest Airlines jet made an emergency landing in Charleston, West Virginia, on Monday after a football-sized hole in its fuselage caused the cabin to depressurize, an airline spokeswoman said.”  CNN Story

Now this just happened a few hours ago so as I write this they don’t know what caused this “football sized hole” in the ceiling of the fuselage at 30,000 ft. (yet), but it appears to me that whatever caused it, whether some type of structural failure, meteorite or maybe a 8′ passenger that was just too damn tall – “football sized holes” in a fuselage or birds in engine(s) are not good things for any air travelers.

And when “things” aren’t good – there’s always alternatives.

To be brutally honest here, there is no alternative for visiting Grandmama (think Adams Family) or hugging your child – but for business travelers flying to a two hour meeting just to come home and do it again tomorrow, there is.

Telepresence.

What are we waiting for? A touchdown?

L2 Lumpy

www.DVEtelepresence.com

Irvine, CA JUNE 15 — The highly acclaimed DVE Huddle Room telepresence solution is now being offered with several key options, including REALroom 3D™ for limited unique applications. The DVE Huddle Room, since its launch at Infocomm 08, has been installed throughout the US, Europe, Asia, and soon, Australia. The DVE Huddle Room is a key product that captured the attention of ABI Research who has identified DVE as the “Leader in Technology” in the telepresence field.

DVE HUDDLE ROOM 70

The DVE Huddle Room offers the best group telepresence experience and is designed to quickly turn any small meeting room into a state of the art telepresence suite. The Huddle provides eye contact with a camera hidden directly behind the large immersive image for the most realistic “around the table” conferencing experience. The Huddle is also codec non-specific, so that it can utilize the codec, microphone, and camera systems from Life-Size, Tandberg, Polycom, Sony, Aethra or Vidyo.

There are 2 ways to create eye contact using beamsplitters. The first is the oldest optical pathway method used commonly in the 1970s, and even decades before that, for interactive TV (see Journal of Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation 1978, Vol. 10 (1), 25-26). These bulky systems required large hoods over them, which created the strange experience of “looking into a box” and being “closed in.”

These older systems reflected the image of the participants, which required increased light to be aimed at participants in order to capture a quality image. Also, these awkward and bulky systems required the camera to be placed on or near the floor adding to their kluged appearance.

The second and far superior method utilized by DVE, reflects a bright LCD display upon a beamsplitter. The DVE Huddle Room overcomes all the limitations of the older first method by creating an ingenious technology that embeds the camera behind the reflected image in a small hidden camera chamber which is smaller than the width of the LCD image. The result is a wide open image that looks like a flat panel display completely freed from the bulky and awkward hooded systems of the past.

The DVE Huddle Room also provides an industry first “zero frame LCD” image. This greatly enhances the telepresence experience by allowing the participant’s image to seamlessly appear in the environment without a frame around them. Even further, the Huddle Room smartly reflects the bright light of an LCD display for brilliant images and, also, improves image contrast. This same DVE display technology is utilized for telepresence and editing movies and TV programs by major Hollywood studios.

The DVE Huddle Room optionally converts into the “REALroom 3D” mode for those limited applications where visual impact is important. A very impressive 3D holographic looking image of participants can be presented in the middle of the 3D physical space of the room. Participants appear as if they are sitting just on the other side of the table, completely freed from the appearance of being on a display screen. This implementation is known as “augmented reality”, where video images are superimposed within the real room environment. This “augmented reality” effect is jaw-dropping impressive.

DVE HUDDLE ROOM with REALroom 3D™ option

REALroom 3D™ is actually a very impressive 2D effect variant of the “Peppers Ghost” illusion. This augmented reality telepresence combines optical substrates of safety glass and also stretched film for large room experiences. This visual effect combined with telepresence is patented by DVE’s founders Jeff Machtig and Steve McNelley (notably US patent 7,209,160 as well as many others). Please note that all effects of this genre require room modifications, which includes placing black colored rear walls in meeting rooms. As
such, wide scale adoption is limited for corporate communications unless such rooms are highly purposed environments. However, for special applications, REALroom 3D™ used in high traffic areas such as trade-shows, shopping malls, and entertainment destinations can be very compelling. Please be wary that our competitor’s who have a minimal 3D depth illusion that combines a reflected fake wall and use the older optical pathway, have the same restrictions.

DVE is well known for creating amazing visual effects for theme parks, entertainment complexes, casinos, and world renowned theatrical events. Combined, the founders of DVE have 35 years of experience wading through the waters of telepresence and visual effects, and they make a distinction between what is smart and practical for corporate communications and what belongs in a theme park. From architectural firms to Wall Street financial corporations many have utilized DVE’s consulting to ensure that hype, from all corners of the telepresence industry, does not cloud good judgment for a wise investment in telepresence.

About DVE:

Digital Video Enterprises, Inc. is the world’s leader in True Telepresence conferencing. Traditional videoconferencing has been proven to be a poor communication medium, because of the unnatural and awkward experience it provides. DVE’s patented technologies have transformed the mediocrity of traditional videoconferencing into an experience that truly simulates being there in person. Achieved in part by optically concealed cameras behind the images on the display screens, this telepresence system is coupled with next generation hardware and software providing true DVD and HD quality images. The experience finally fulfills the promise of effective visual collaboration. These unique experiences are defined by DVE as immersive telepresence and represents an entirely new medium for human communication over distance. DVE’s technologies have been deployed around the globe by leaders in the entertainment industry, financial sector, healthcare, K-12, higher education, and major corporations. For additional Information call (949) 347-9166, or visit the DVE website at www.DVEtelepresence.com.

L II, Inc., a privately held Colorado Corporation today announced the finalized sale of one of its generic Telepresence related dot com Internet properties. L II, Inc. completed the sale of AirTelepresence.com to a non-disclosed buyer for the sum of $3,500.00 USD.

With well documented issues facing airline travel, Swine Influenza striking hundreds across the world, and the increased adoption of carbon reducing platforms, immersive Telepresence has swiftly placed itself as the premier technology utilized for real-time, face-to-face HD audio/video communications over IP without costly travel expenses and its inherent consequences.

Numerous new Telepresence users including top CEO’s and Directors of Fortune 500 companies have stated that within minutes of the commencement of their Telepresence meetings, they forgot they were not actually physically present with parties to their conferences.

Reducing their company’s carbon footprint, saving on travel expenses and increasing employee productivity are bottom line benefits that corporate managers immediately realize when investing in Telepresence gear. Work from home Teleworkers also benefit with immediate interop connectivity with their office at any given moment or for any Telepresence conference.

For more information on Telepresence and L II, Inc., visit the free user discussion forum at TelepresenceForum.com or company Blog at GoTelepresence.com

Rick Snyder, President of TANDBERG Americas talks to Eric Krapf about the latest in video conferencing technology including Telepresence.

Great interview.

L2

Good stuff. Watching a video is always better than reading about it in a newspaper… JMO

L2

Sure, we’ve all seen “Telepresence” on TV now, we’ve read the comic strip and we looked up the word on the Internet. But where the heck do you go when you have a question about purchasing or wanting to see a “Telepresence Unit” in action? Actually having somebody you can speak with directly to get a few questions anwered? It’s not like you can go to Sears and buy a Telepresence Unit (yet anyway).

Sure, I can call Cisco, Tandberg, Lifesize, DVE and a host of others, and they’ll tell me about their systems and what I can do to buy one. But I wanted “layman” info – kinda’ like Joe Plumber wants to be “Telepresent”.

For the last year and a half I’ve been accumulating information on who has what, what’s new and trying to find the 411 on “will it work at my house”? How much? Is my Comcast cable sufficient?

I could never seem to find these simple answers – anywhere. Until now.

I actually found a person that called me back and answered an e-mail request for info – promptly. Not a week later, not a month later. He did it “now”. And he answered every question I put to him. Imagine that!

There’s a lot of people interested in Telepresence, just like me. But they’re not video engineers. They don’t know the difference between H.323, fps and bandwidth. They just want to know “will it work” and “how much”? They want to talk to somebody. Not an e-mail, not a recorded voice. Somebody independent of all and not tied to a specific product line. Somebody who knows their business and can help, not hinder.

Well, here’s my recommendation after 18 months actively “looking” to buy a Telepresence Unit (that’s within my budget).

He’ll answer your calls, he’ll answer your e-mails, and in a worst case scenario – he’ll forward your number, request and pertinent information on to the BT Telepresence and Video Conferencing Expert(s) in your area from around the world that will have the answers you need and he’ll tell you what he’s doing in the meantime to get you satisfied.

Jeff Lindvall
Territory Sales Manager, Video Business Unit
BT Conferencing
Direct: 303-989-0862
Toll Free: 1-800-843-3666, Opt. 5, Ext.7544
Cell: 303-818-0771
E-mail: Jeff.Lindvall @ wireone.com (remove the spaces before and after the “@”)

I can’t speak highly enough of Jeff. He’s answered so many questions over several phone calls now it’s not even funny. He had equipment answers and recomendations for my budget and price range, understood my limitations, he told me about hidden costs, bandwidth specifications, ordering processes plus much more and he did it without any high pressure sales tactics.

So – you’re like me, a simple Joe Plumber kinda’ guy that wants to “Be Telepresent” – make the call. Tell’m L2 Lumpy sent ya’. You’ll learn more in 10 minutes with Jeff than you’ll learn in 18 months stumblin’ and bumblin’ your way through fps, codec, h.323, bandwidth and all this video jargon that only a scientist can understand.

L2 Lumpy

No hi-bandwidth connection available? No problem. This portable, wireless, and personal Telepresence unit by Pixavi fills that void. Full HD video conferencing on the fly.

Features full high definition video conferencing support. Check their website at pixavi.com for full specifications and details.

I personally thought somebody like Cisco, Tandberg or Sony would be first to market a personal Telepresence unit like this - Pixavi and their Xcaster appears to have beaten them all. How cool is this gadget?

I am just starting to think of all the field applications for this….

Portable Telepresence - Xcaster by Pixavi

Portable Telepresence. Wow.

Admin

Any and all publicity is good publicity!

Good stuff, courtesy of Dilbert.com

L2 Lumpy

“Telepresence”.

I get a kick out of seeing the so called “video conferencing experts” struggle to define this simple word. So far the most common and widely available definition of “Telepresence” is from Wikipedia. It states:

“Telepresence refers to a set of Technologies which allow a person to feel as if they were present, to give the appearance that they were present, or to have an effect, at a location other than their true location.”

That simple sentence says it all. Nothing more, nothing less.

Now, VC (video conferencing) experts all have opinions gained from their years and years in the VC industry. They’ve been there, done that and have gained all the knowledge required to become wizards of their industry. That same “vast amount of gained knowledge” they’ve amassed is also part of the reason we’ve been waiting for VC to prove itself since the video phone in 1964. Instead of running to a common goal, they’re running in circles. Smart people do that ya’ know.

I think they’ve all missed the point. There, I said it. That’s sure to make more than a few people cringe. Oh well. Here’s another observation. It’s probably not their job to “define” Telepresence anyway. They’re looking so past the point, kind of like a brain surgeon that can’t change a flat tire. They’re thinking it has to do with video conferencing, 3-D, Pepper’s Ghost, video over IP or even 4-D magic. Lenses, lighting, immersiveness, latency, HD, Plasma, Bandwidth, etc. The question lingers – at what point does video conferencing become Telepresence? Is it 70ms latency? Video over IP? HD immersiveness? Right?

Wrong. All wrong.

How about it doesn’t matter? Video conferencing (in all past and future reincarnations) is just a facet of “Telepresence”. 3-D imaging? Another facet. What we watched on historical CNN Election night with the “hologram” camera trick? Another facet.

Simply put: Tele – “to or at a distance” and Presence – “the impressive manner or appearance of a person”. Telepresence. End of story, case closed.

The companies that have figured out that the word “Telepresence” is more about marketing then an actual definition are going to soar, while others that are still trying to define it are going to get kicked to the curb. It doesn’t matter who invented it. It does matter who’s going to capitalize on it. Telepresence in its essence is the boss barking orders via a walkie talkie (or string and cup for that matter). It doesn’t matter if it’s 720i HD at 30 fps, or 3-D Pepper’s Ghost technology, or 300 cameras building a trick hologram. Those methods are just the means to convey Telepresence, not Telepresence defined.

Presently, Cisco is running with the ball because of their TV commercials and Internet play. Marketing 101. They didn’t invent Telepresence, but they’ve been marketing it. They’re not waiting on unified conferencing “Standards”, they’re not waiting on a definition and they’re surely not waiting on anybody or anything. They are forging ahead with their Telepresence related products. Remember, if you believe like I do that Telepresence is not about “video conferencing”, but about “all” the different technologies that can make up “Telepresence”, you can change the tire and get on down the road instead of getting your gray matter mired in the mud thinking up a definition that won’t please all of the people anyway.

Sometimes we’re so smart, we’re stupid.

Just my two cents worth. Take it or leave it.

L2 Lumpy (telepresent and accounted for)
Telepresence Forum

Tandberg T3 Telepresence explained.  3 65″ LCD HD monitors.

Simply fantastic!  There have been some huge strides forward in the Telepresence market over the last 6 months, Tandberg T3 included.

Admin