Telepresence and Holography / Holograms - November 2008

Editor’s viewpoint on their differences, likenesses and future...

We all just recently viewed an historic CNN holographic interview on an historic Election Night. CNN stated this type of imaging has never been done before on National TV and I believe that. I haven’t seen anything like it. The live interview caught me by surprise and sure had the “wow” factor attached to it didn’t it? Here’s a link to the actual interview.

CNN Hologram Video

The question now has to be asked. Is it Telepresence?

I’m no expert on the subject but I’m going to throw my hat into the ring, go out on a limb and say yes, I believe it is. Although I know many video conferencing purists are rolling their eyes and grabbing their guns right about now with my statement.

While I do know that Telepresence still hasn’t been universally defined (Houston, we have a problem), here’s how I see it…. Broken down to its simplest form - “tele” (through electronic means) and “presence” (present). This is how I’m justifying my opinion by lumping holography and Telepresence together. Just as Telepresence is surely an offshoot of video conferencing, holographic imaging (like we viewed on CNN) surely has to be considered an offshoot of Telepresence. The interviewer was “telepresent” from Chicago and beamed into the CNN Election Headquarters. She was most assuredly - “telepresent”. There was negligible latency, the imaging was fantastic and both interviewers were rehearsed on what they would say. I’ve just recently read that CNN actually “downgraded” the experience to make it “movie” quality and not as good as it could have been. Maybe they thought us mere mortals would be shocked if they showed their complete hand. I have a feeling it was so big to them, they didn’t want it to get upstaged by the historic election. I’m willing to bet we’ll see the “true” power of this technology in the upcoming weeks and months when they can put the pedal to the medal and show it off without having it sidetracked.

What an amazing time for this technology (all differences and opinions aside). Telepresence Doctors, nurses, teachers, schools and healthcare (healthpresence) will benefit from the recent gains in this state-of-the-art industry whether holograms, Telepresence or holography. Airlines also have to see the threat to a portion of their business travel. Hell, who wants go through security and fly to Miami for a two-hour conference when you can look them in the eye via Telepresence?

Beam me up Scotty! Simply amazing…!

Visit the free Telepresence Forum for more information and discussion

Your Editor and Administrator - L II
"Ride on the Next Plane of Existence" TM

What’s the difference between Video Conferencing and Telepresence?

Telepresence picks up where video conferencing left off.  Telepresence IS real time, full-high-definition, immersible sound and vision.  Telepresence IS most importantly: the feeling of being “there” when you’re “here”.  Telepresence is lifelike, video conferencing is not.  Telepresence is that hi-line Mercedes AMG, video conferencing is a Ford Escort - Period.

Why Telepresence now?

Video conferencing has been around a while now but has always lacked the feeling we spoke about above.  Jumpy computer screens, broken audio and poor lighting add to the impersonal touches of video conferencing (ie a slow motion camcorder on top of your computer monitor).  Finally, technology, bandwidth, vision and sound have all converged on video conferencing to create the telepresence experience.  It’s about time!  Crystal clear surround sound and real-time full-high-definition visual effects enhance the feeling of being there – thus telepresence.  That nervous twitch, roll of the eyes, sniffle, tap of the foot – things you see when you’re present and sitting across a conference room table – things you don’t see or feel from video conferencing, but do with telepresence.

Today, what “real” uses are there for Telepresence?

There is no short answer even possible here.  We’ll name a few, more like we’ll put your imagination to work.  Imagine a single specialist doctor in Canada treating patients in Haiti via telepresence.  Robots in space doing the actual work while the telepresence operator dons his telepresence helmet and gloves at his workstation in Texas.  Meeting your Russian company vice president while you’re in the executive telepresence room at the office in Denver.  Just a few…

What are “real” savings of Telepresence?

Your imagination still working on the last answer?  Don’t let up yet!  What carbon footprint?  Don’t need that airplane ticket to go check on your staff in Russia now do you?  What lost life in the Iraqi war?  Unmanned drones and soldiers via telepresence.  Military and combat cost savings?  Immeasurable.  Less travel costs, airline frustration, fuel, lost time, carbon emissions, etc.  Those are tangible, real savings to name just a very limited few.

You starting to see what telepresence can do that video conferencing can’t?  We hope you see what we’re seeing!  Telepresence – its time has arrived!

Check out the video thread here for some great Telepresence YouTube videos!  If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth a million!

Ride on the "Next Plane of Existence" TM

Custom Search

To learn more about Telepresence, the revolutionary new style of immersive video conferencing; visit these websites:

Telepresence - "Ride on the Next Plane of Existence" - Telepresence
Telepresence Web Portal - Telepresence Internet web portal
Telepresence Report - 24/7 breaking Telepresence related news and information
Via Telepresence - Video conferencing via Telepresence
Telepresence Forum - Free user discussion forum for everything Telepresence related
Telepresence Today - Telepresence information and editor qualified headline news
Telepresence Resource Directory - Telepresence web resource directory
Telepresence Tube - Telepresence videos, pictures and more