What is Telepresence? How Does it Compare With High Definition Video Conferencing?

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A new catchphrase that is coming up over and over again is “Telepresence”.  What is it?  Is it better than High Definition Video Conferencing?

Telepresence is an experience. Telepresence today and for the relatively long-term future is an enterprise solution. Telepresence is a sophisticated form of robotic remote control in which a human operator has a sense of being on location so that the experience resembles virtual reality (VR). The remotely-controlled robot (or telechir ) and the human operator can be up to hundreds of kilometers apart. Telepresence is really a phone call, believe it or not . 

Telepresence is the ultimate meeting experience for executives in any organization, linking sites across the globe. Telepresence is an extension and improved solution for videoconferencing. The Telepresence solution has an improved quality of sound and image. Telepresence is not only being positioned for sedentary executives. This AlwaysOn piece describes the value?of telepresence for first responders.

TelePresence is a next-generation video-conferencing offering from Polycom and to call TelePresence “technology” minimizes its scope. TelePresence includes television monitors, desks, chairs, and everything you need for connectivity.  Telepresence is the concept that a physician is able to look and feel real to those in the ICU and to interact in a human way with the environment. This involves the use of a robot that projects the image of the physician in real-time onto a flat screen mounted at the head of the robot.

Telepresence is currently a tool used by CEOs or high level managers who focus primarily on face to face interactions. Employees deeper in a country would benefit more from solutions that enable sharing applications or products. Telepresence is unquestionably reshaping the Asia Pacific conferencing industry to an advanced level of virtual communications, at the same time, changing the way people interact with each other. While it is slowly breaking off the Asian culture of building relationship through physical presence, it offers the closest proximity to face-to-face meeting that one could ever experience.

So, the question arises…how does it stack up against a High Definition Video Conference system?

Telepresence systems are the next generation of video or visual conference systems.  They are suppirior in both picture clarity and sound.  Unfortunetly the cost can be prohibitive.  With modern high definition video conference systems picture clarity and sound can be excellent at a fraction of the price of telepresence systems.

For example, Lifesize currently states that their HD video conferencing is only achievable at a bandwidth of at least 1Mbps. How many video conferencing calls are actually made at 1MB per site using H264? LifeSize Team MP makes high definition multipoint video calls easy and affordable. Bring colleagues together from up to four locations without needing any extra equipment, advance scheduling or a technician. LifeSize? Conference lets you accelerate your global business by creating an immersive, high definition telepresence experience that is realistic and authentic. It lets you do more and travel less and pay less.  A complete solution.

LifeSize Room includes embedded 4-way HD multipoint capabilities to connect several participants. LifeSize designed video communications with absolute user simplicity in mind. Connect your PC to share multimedia or documents clearly.

Supported by an open architecture, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony and presence-based networks. With its market driving technologies, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations seeking proven solutions and a competitive advantage in real-time communications and collaboration. Supported by an open architecture, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony, workplace wireless telephony, and presence-based networks. With its market-driving technologies, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations seeking proven solutions and a competitive advantage from on-demand communications and collaboration.

With the expansion of the global economy and  energy prices increasing, both high definition video conferencing and telepresence offer a face to face experience truly is effective in its ultimate goal, communication and collaboration.  HD video conferencing offers a higher value when it is integrated and installed as a complete custom audio visual solution.