HP turns telepresence into webcasting

HP is to let its Halo customers use the telepresence system for webcasting, the company announced on Wednesday.

Telepresence systems use rooms kitted out with high-end audio and video equipment to allow lifelike videoconferences to be held over the internet. These conferences tend to require both sides to use a telepresence suite, but HP Halo Webcasting will let users stream content to thousands of online users.

Each webcast can contain up to three presenters located at different sites, HP said. All Halo endpoints can be used for the webcasts, including HP Halo Collaboration Studio, HP Halo Meeting Room and HP Halo Collaboration Center.

Also on Wednesday, HP said it was aligning its Halo business with its ProCurve networking business, to provide customers with a single point of contact for video endpoints, services and networking products.

The service is now available worldwide. According to HP, the average cost of a one-hour webcast will be $6,000 (£3,700), although adding an extra hour would add only another $2,000 in costs.