Logitech has introduced Logitech GROUP, a video conferencing system that boasts clear audio and high-quality HD for groups of up to 14 people or up to 20 with the optional expansion microphones.
“Until now, people looking to collaborate over video were faced with a choice between installing high priced purpose-built systems or crowding around a laptop that’s placed at the end of a table. This resulted in a poor experience with coworkers packed together like sardines or falling out of the frame,” says Scott Wharton, general manager of the Logitech video collaboration group. “Logitech GROUP provides the best of both worlds, an affordable solution optimized for large rooms with a wide field of view and crystal clear audio quality. Plus, it works with virtually any UC or video collaboration software and is so easy to use that you don’t need IT support to help get your meeting started.”
Logitech GROUP, the successor to Logitech’s ConferenceCam CC3000e, features a full-duplex speakerphone and four omnidirectional microphones that enables participants to converse within a 20-foot diameter around the base, or extend the range to 28-feet with optional expansion microphones. It can also be used with a Bluetooth enabled mobile devices for audio calls.
The video conferencing system’s 1080p video quality brings full HD video to conference calls, while its 90-degree field of view and pan and tilt controls enhance collaboration by making it easy to see everyone in the room. On-board H.264 with scalable video coding frees up bandwidth by putting video processing within the camera, providing a smoother video stream. Additionally, the system’s 10x lossless HD zoom allows participants to zero in on close-ups of objects and whiteboard content.
GROUP is optimized for Microsoft Lync 2013, certified for Skype for Business, and is Cisco Jabber and WebEx compatible. The system works with any computing device with a USB connection (PC, MAC, or Chromebook).
Logitech GROUP is expected to be available worldwide in March 2016 at a suggested price of $999. The expansion microphones will be available for $299. Purchased as a bundle, GROUP with two expansion microphones is priced at $1249.
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Photo source: Logitech.com
