Day 2 on the exhibit floor at infoComm gave me time to catch up with many of the friends and colleagues that I have shared this industry with these past 13+ years.

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Some of the product highlights of my day included V3 of Accordent’s Media Management System, Tandberg’s C20 entry level videoconferencing system, some sleek new carts and options from AVTEQ, and the new form factor of the EDUcast podcasting solution from 323Link.

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The latest version of Accordent’s Media Management System (V3) not only raises the bar for content management, it empowers content owners and creators  with a robust and flexible suite of tools changes the rules of the game.

Accordent has completely redesigned AMMS, leveraging the Microsoft .NET Framework for maximized performance and scalability.

For administrators, V3 has dramatically improved the workflow with a number of enhancements:

• Performance-Based Reporting and Management delivers proprietary player-side reporting for tracking real-time quality of service and viewer activity.  AMMS V3 also touts expanded content, audience, and network reporting features.
• Multiple Tenant/ Sub-Portals per System empowers users with the ability support multiple departments, schools or business units each with their own system administrators, branding, content, functionality, business rules and reporting;
• Network Control via New Distribution Pro files gives administrators the ability to easily manage and schedule the creation and modification of live/video-on-demand (VOD) streams and web content with Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), Windows Media Services, Real Server, Flash servers.

Accordent also showcased their new “1U” Server for AMMS (software, SQL server, Web Serer, and streaming server).  This turn-key solution is targeted to support up to 1,000 viewers and will streamline the deployment of Accordent’s rich media content creation, distribution and management suite.

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TANDBERG re-defined entry level HD with the new Quick Set C20.  This compact system features a new, compact microphone, a PTZ camera and comes standard with NPP (Natural Presenter Package).  There are two models of the C20;  the Quick Set C20 1080p30 with 4 x zoom, or Quick Setplus 1080p30/720p60 with 12 x zoom. The TANDBERG Quick Set C20 solutions feature software options for premium resolution and dual display and come complete with all the customer needs to get started.

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TANDBERG also highlighted several of the API driven capabilities of their newest flagship Codec C90. It is the only product of its kind that can share five HD sources simultaneously and present unique views to participants based on their system and the number of displays available.  The extreme flexibility and power of the C90 makes it the most powerful, flexible telepresence and collaboration engine that I have seen to date.

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The new AVTEQ carts with a integrated drawer and shelf for the Revolabs wireless Microphone system.  The rack mounted shelf allows users to seamlessly integrate their Revolabs products into any AVTEQ cart or standard a/v rack.  The trim and finish continues to prove AVTEQ’s value and their attention to detail is unmatched in the industry.

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323Link was demonstrating their newest model, the EDUcast Touch – HD rich media Podcast creation appliance.  The newest form factor (shuttle PC) delivers includes a front panel touch screen that gives users the ability to navigate the menus quickly and easily, as well as previewing video sources.  With the enhanced processing power and updated capture card, up to 3 live video feeds and a full-motion, hi-res graphics source can be captured simultaneously.

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Making my way across the expansive exhibit floor on Day 3 opened my eyes to even more new and exciting offerings from some of my existing partners, and some that I hope will become partners in the near future;

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Digital Rapids was showing off their new TouchStream appliance.  This appliance is comfortable in the field, the classroom, or in a rack.  It is  fully self-contained device with and intuitive touch-screen interface with integrated video monitoring for unparalleled ease-of-use.  Best of all, no laptop, keyboard, mouse or monitor required for operation.

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Revolabs Executive HD Microphone Systems provide the sound fidelity of wired microphones with the added appeal of a wireless set-up.   The introduction of the Single and Dual Channel HD Systems and the Executive HD Systems are the latest example of Revolabs drive to deliver state-of-the-art wireless audio products for business environments.  The new wireless lapel and table top boundary mics are now shielded and include 128-bit encryption, and high definition audio from 50Hz to 20KHz, which allows it to pick up the entire human voice spectrum.

At the Revolabs booth they used a CD player to feed a speaker attached to one side of the box.  With headphones attached to the mic receiver, the clarity was amazing.  So amazing that I was compelled to open the chest and tap the mic to confirm the cans weren’t connected straight to the CD Player.

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Sound Control Technologies was showing off their newest CAT 5 extenders for PLCM and TAND cameras.  Currently the RC2 products support and expanding array of cameras over two (2) Cat5e at a specified rang of 300 feet.  The exciting news here is that the next round of products to ship will be spec’d for 500’ runs and you cannot damage the units by crossing the powered Cat5 cable with the non-powered line.

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LifeSize Desktop is a standalone desktop client (no server required) that allows you to receive 720p30 video in full 16:9 format, for effective collaboration at a distance. HD audio with echo cancellation delivers a rich, true-to-life experience.  The software is supposed to be available in the August timeframe and I thought I heard someone say that it would hit the market at $200/seat.  I have signed up for the 30-day trial – you can too here.

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VFI (Video Furniture International) has new Podium and the jumbo PL-3072 dual panel stand.  VFI always manages to have new products at the show.  This year they brought a larger version of one of my favorite stands (the PL-3070).  The PL-3072 has a larger base, a few more wheels and only costs $100 more (Mike, is that right?).  Hang 2 50″ LCDs on this and in a large room where you need to move the video element around – based on room configuration, and I think it is immediate hit.

VFI also had a new Podium (PD3009) caught my eye from across the booth.  The rounded edge top and brush aluminum corners on the upright pieces makes this podium nice and clean looking.  Then, Mike showed me that the front panel lifts completely out of the way, so that techies can have unrestricted access to the back plane of any installed gear – nice touch.