Logitech reveals the ConferenceCam

Logitech has today introduced a new product in the unified communications (UC) and Web conferencing category: the all-in-one audio and video BCC950 ConferenceCam.

Combining full HD webcam with a high-quality, omni-directional full-duplex speakerphone, it’s the first communication tool to bring this all into one USB device. Best at home in the business section, it enables small groups to collaborate in conference rooms, closed offices or shared work spaces.

In addition to its full webcam feature, the ConferenceCam sports a motorized pan, tilt and zoom feature to easily bring anyone into the picture. These features can either be controlled from the pad, or even from the remote control, both also allowing to answer and end calls as well as to adjust the volume and mute the microphone easily.

“The power of unified communications is driving collaboration across multiple locations and multiple devices, giving people the flexibility to work together wherever they are,” said Giovanni Mezgec, general manager for Lync at Microsoft Corp. “The Logitech BCC950 ConferenceCam expands the benefits of UC in the enterprise by providing a simple-to-install, high-quality solution for small-group meetings.”

Even though working with most UC and video platforms, the BCC950 has been optimised for Microsoft Lync and is Skype certified. The more in-depth specifications of this webcam reveal a wide 78-degree field of view and 180-degree video pan, support for 1080p, 30fps HD through plug-and-play UVC H.264 video technology, and a speakerphone allowing everyone in a meeting to hear and be heard clearly from up to eight feet away, removing the painstaking task of ensuring everyone is seen and heard. The ConferenceCam is also lightweight, only 20 ounces, and can therefore be carried around an office with little effort, allowing meetings anywhere at any time.

“We have a number of remote workers who value face-to-face time with their colleagues in the office, but we haven’t had an appropriate tool for small-group video meetings,” said Jim Hayes, IT operations manager for 24HourFlex, an employee benefits solutions provider in Aurora, Colo. “We’ve been testing pre-production units of the Logitech BCC950 ConferenceCam for more than a month and it’s proved to be an ideal solution for this bottleneck. We can now quickly and easily add audio and video conferencing to any room with an affordable device that doesn’t compromise on call quality.”

Additional technologies such as the high-quality webcam sensor and Logitech RightLight 2 technology improve visual quality in low light and backlit situations, while a razor-sharp Carl Zeiss lens and the camera’s autofocus feature allow sharing of detailed documents and other visuals up close without losing image quality.

“The workplace is rapidly evolving toward smaller and more virtual teams, yet communication tools have not kept pace,” said Eric Kintz, vice president and general manager of Logitech for Business. “In looking at the needs of our customers, we saw a gap in solutions that bring audio and videoconferencing to small groups. The Logitech BCC950 ConferenceCam fills that gap by combining a webcam and speakerphone into a single affordable device – transforming PCs and Macs into communications platforms, so businesses can set up more locations for small-group meetings.”

Expected to be available worldwide by May 2012, the Logitech BCC950 ConferenceCam will be priced at $249.99 from resellers who specialize in the business-to-business market.

For more information on the Logitech BCC950 ConferenceCam and other Logitech products for business, please visit the dedicated Logitech Business page, or even their blog.

Source: Press Release