Silicon Graphics, Inc. today introduced the InPerson(tm) desktop conferencing
software. Designed for Silicon Graphics' workstations -- including the new
Indy(tm) desktop system -- InPerson takes advantage of Silicon Graphics'
digital media hardware and the new Indigo Magic(tm) user environment.
Combined with Indy, which comes with a color digital
video camera, InPerson
requires no additional hardware for professional-quality audio and video
capabilities. It enables users to share high-quality audio, video, text,
images and 3D modele in real-time overstandard network connections.
InPerson exploits Indigo Magic, the industry's first media user interface, which combines the most extensive use of drag and drop icons with full access to the digital media power of Silicon Graphics systems. With the Indigo Magic environment and the InPerson software, users can interact with multiple conference participants using live video and audio. A shared media board lets conference participants share, view, mark-up and interact with conference data on an unlimited number of media board pages. Cursors unique to each participant enable tracking of edits and comments. The entire media board can be saved as a file for later reference or for broad distribution.
The InPerson software is application independent, allowing users to import an image for review and mark-up from any application window. Multiple applications can be used to review, capture and include data in the conference. It is also fully equipped with multi-way conferencing and messaging indicators enabling users to receive notification of calls missed, to place a current call on hold for incoming calls and to easily join active conferences.
The InPerson software is designed for the most efficient use of the system and network. InPerson works easily over standard UNIX(r) networking protocols, eliminating the need for special networks. The InPerson software supports a range of video resolutions and frame rates, including a high resolution mode for display of real-world objects such as design prototypes.
Combined with Indy, the newest member of the Indigo(tm) family of desktop workstations, the InPerson software delivers a complete desktop conferencing environment -- receiving and sending video and audio, and enabling real-time interaction through the media board. The Indy desktop system comes standard with video-in, high-quality audio, graphics and network connections. InPerson software also enables viewing of transmitted video and interaction with the media board regardless of the video-in capabilities of a participant's system. The InPerson software will first be available for the Indy and Indigo2 desktop systems in December 1993, and across other Silicon Graphics workstations by year-end 1994. A single-user license will be available for $495 which includes full color video capabilities, shared media board and call management tools. Volume discounts and multi-unit pricing will be available. The InPerson software will support the English, French, German and Japanese languages.
