Hewlett-Packard is rolling out a host of video collaboration technologies that will enable enterprises to bring high-definition video communications anywhere.

Two new desktop offerings include the Visual Collaboration Desktop, a software client that can be used on any PC or notebook, and the Visual Collaboration Executive Desktop, a touchscreen solution that includes a TouchSmart Quad bundled with Visual Collaboration software and comes with a camera and headset.

In addition, HP unveiled the Visual Collaboration Room 100 and Room 220, solutions that integrate high-quality video into multipurpose conference rooms.

HP next year will release technology that will link its immersive Halo studios with the dekstop and conference room offerings to create a highly integrated communications infrastructure.

HP also unveiled the x86-based infrastructure that enable enterprises to run the communications solutions, includng the Visual Collaboration Portal, which comes ready to run on a ProLiant DL360 server. The solution lets IT staff manage such tasks as remote configuration, authentication and licensing.

HP unveiled its video lineup in the middle of a week that has seen more than its share of communications announcements from top-tier vendors. Cisco Systems, kicking off its Collaboration 2010 Summit Nov. 15, introduced its efforts to integrate its visual communications technologies with a new desktop virtualization effort. At the same time, Cisco officials announced that they were video-enabling all of their endpoints and rolling out new TelePresence offerings.

Microsoft Nov. 17 took the wraps off Lync 2010, the latest iteration of its Office Communications software suite that is the company's push into the highly competitive UC (unified communications) market. Along the way, a number of other vendors, including telepresence vendor Polycom, announced support for Microsoft's offering.

For more, read the eWeek article HP New Video Collaboration Solutions Enter Competitive Market.

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