At the recent Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) in Amsterdam, Jupiter Systems (Hayward, CA) highlighted three new product lines in its booth. These included Canvas 3.0, the newest version of its collaborative visualization software, the CRS-4K for Canvas-based huddle rooms and an expanded Fusion Catalyst 4500 family of display wall controllers.
Canvas is collaboration software that enables video, data, applications and more to be shared with colleagues anywhere, on any device, delivering end-to-end collaboration. Live H.264 video streams, VNC viewer windows, active web browser windows, and desktop presentation screens can be shown. Android and iOS devices can be input devices, allowing live mobile camera feeds to everyone on the Canvas system.
New features of the updated Canvas 3.0 software include:
- Shared voice chat – All Canvas participants are automatically enrolled in a shared voice chat room to facilitate collaboration and teamwork.
- Microsoft Lync integration – Integration with the leading UCC platform means that users can escalate to Canvas from the Lync client or start a Lync conversation from Canvas.
- Connect with remote non-Canvas users – Remote colleagues who do not have Canvas at their location can participate in collaborative sessions with Canvas users. With this new version, Canvas users can dial out to users of SIP-based conferencing systems, and allows users of SIP-based conferencing systems to dial into a canvas.
- The new SimpleShare feature employs WebRTC technology to allow anyone with a laptop to easily and instantly present content to local and remote Canvas users without downloading software, connecting cables, or attaching a dongle.
The new CRS-4K system is designed for small-group collaboration in huddle rooms and is used with Canvas software. The CRS-4K supports up to four 1080p HD displays or a single 4k Ultra HD display. Key features of the new Canvas CRS-4K product include:
- Supports up to four 1080p HD displays or one 4K display.
- Supports up to eight H.264 video streams, up to eight VNC viewer windows, up to eight web browser windows, and up to two SimpleShare windows.
- SimpleShare technology lets users present content wirelessly from any laptop, even if Canvas is not installed on that laptop.
- Microsoft Lync integration allows users to escalate to Canvas from the Lync client or start a Lync conversation from Canvas.
- Multitouch web interface supports most tablets, providing video previews, as well as easy resizing and repositioning of canvases.
- Support for colleagues without Canvas allows users can dial out to users of SIP-based conferencing systems, and allows users of SIP-based conferencing systems to dial into a canvas, sharing canvases, video, and audio.
Fusion Catalyst 4500 family of display wall controllers
The Fusion Catalyst 4500 display wall processor is being expanded to a family of three specialized product systems. The family includes the Fusion Catalyst 4500B, 4500H, and 4500C models, each of which offers unique features, benefits and value to Jupiter customers. Key features of each of the new Fusion Catalyst 4500 models include:
- Fusion Catalyst 4500B is the base model and standard-bearer for the Fusion Catalyst 4500 family of products. It features Jupiter’s ControlPoint display wall management software and is a solution targeted at display wall projects where HDCP is not required. Up to 4 Expansion Chassis can be added to support up to 96 non-HDCP outputs at resolutions up to 1920 x 1080, up to 108 streaming video inputs, up to 54 Dual-Link DVI inputs, or up to 216 SD video inputs.
- Fusion Catalyst 4500H adds support for the display of HDCP-protected content. HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a form of digital copy protection to prevent copying of digital audio and video content as it is transmitted across connections. Up to 4 Expansion Chassis can be added to support up to 48 HDCP outputs at resolutions up to 1920 x 1080, up to 108 streaming video inputs, up to 54 Single-Link DVI inputs supporting HDCP-encrypted content, up to 54 Dual-Link DVI inputs for non-HDCP content, or up to 216 SD video inputs.
- Fusion Catalyst 4500C supports Canvas 3.0 collaborative visualization solution. With its version of the Canvas Client built especially for display walls, the Fusion Catalyst 4500C provides shared access to streaming H.264 video, VNC viewer windows, active web browser windows, and desktop presentation screens. The rich collaborative environment allows the viewers of the display wall to interact with remote users on smartphones, tablets, PC, and other video walls anywhere in the world. Up to 4 Expansion Chassis can be added to support up to 48 non-HDCP outputs at resolutions up to 1920×1080 and up to 108 HD streaming video inputs. When the system is not being used in a Canvas session, the Fusion Catalyst 4500C can also support up to 54 DVI inputs for local presentations. Such sources connected to the FC4500C via DVI cannot be shared over the network with remote Canvas users.
Analyst Comment
I’m glad to see Jupiter adding 4K support to its Canvas collaborative product lines. -Matthew Brennesholtz
