Polycom ATX 300
Price on application
Polycom describes this as “immersive telepresence” rather than video-conferencing, and despite the hideous marketing overtones, it’s a description that works well. This is a system designed to make you feel as if the other participants are in the room. They are displayed on a series of large, high-definition displays, in life size. The effect is extraordinary, and you really do get a sense that they are there with you.
Clever microphone tracking allows the speaker to be heard clearly, while muting other participants, and camera tracking reveals a spooky amount of detail – the raised eyebrow at a deal is clearly visible with this system. The main drawback is price. Polycom doesn’t give out general charges, but expect to budget for rather more than the cost of a Skype headset for this – somewhere above six figures sterling, in fact. Still, for firms that spend a lot on travel between two locations, this is a real alternative to face-to-face meetings.
PROS Incredible quality
CONS High price, relatively inflexible
