Here's a product that managed to trick me at first sight, namely I was thinking it was an awkward digital SLR, but one that I liked the idea of, but was spoiled as soon as I read the complete name of the Xcaster 5000 Series Wireless Video Camera.

Now, altogether, let's see what this camera is capable of, or at least what it was developed for. The Xcaster is a wireless HD camera designed with organizations and companies' travel cost reducing in mind, as well as reducing the carbon footprint and definitely increase company efficiency in collaborative environments.

Just like you might have notice already, this is a telepresence device that delivers quality audio and video, aside from laser-based collaboration technology. This compact and rugged camera is packed with all of the latest streaming and video conferencing standards currently used on the marked, including SIP, H.323 and ISMA streaming.

Operating on a Linux-based platform, the Xcaster runs the company's latest conferencing signaling, QoS, collaboration and streaming software, as well as firewall traversal technology. Streaming and conferencing need a connection to run, so that's where the Wireless term in the camera's name comes in with 802.11a, 802.11g and even the new 802.11n standards, making the Xcaster one of the most suitable video conferencing devices out there.

As for the user interface, you can see the back of the Xcaster, to the left, but you cannot see that aside from the buttons; operation is also possible via the touch capability of the screen. Even more, being a mixture of a video conferencing device and a mobile phone, users will intuitively know how to operate the Xcaster without having to read any manual whatsoever, at least for basic usage.

The ergonomics are sweet (I can't find any other suitable word), having separate commodities for either left or right hand. Namely, users will grip the Xcaster with the right hand for action, when streaming, recording or taking snapshots, and with the left hand for offline PDA style operation. Estimated to be available this May, for the "small" price of $7,950, so I wonder where that cost reducing is.


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