REVIEW: InnoMedia InfoView Video-Conference VideoPhones

Znews.com --
If you're looking for a videophone that doesn't require a computer and Internet connection, check out the easy-to-install InfoView, a videophone setup from InnoMedia. Just plug your TV and telephone into the InfoView camera and place a call over your regular telephone line to any other compatible system. The InfoView complies with the ITU H.324 standard, which means you can communicate with anyone who has another InfoView videophone, as well as with any other videophone that is H.324 compliant.

The InfoView can be used for business conference calls, staying in touch with distant or elderly family and friends, tele-homecare, distance education, or even as a low-cost remote monitoring device. For example, the system includes remote camera zoom/pan/tilt, and auto answer, which allows you to check up on your business or home from a remote location --just set InfoView to auto-answer and call in to your InfoView-connected phone.

You can also hook up a second camera, and toggle between it and InfoView's built in camera to have two different views. If the unit is on auto-answer, all calls to that phone will be answered with a connection tone, so it would be best to use a dedicated line.

We found installation of the system to be very straight-forward. Here's what we did to install:

Plug the audio and video cables into the audio/video OUT on the back of the InfoView and into the TV
Connect the phone line from the wall jack into the InfoView
Plug the phone into the InfoView
Flip the TV to video channel (usually channel 3), and hit the INPUT button on the TV
Turn on the InfoView
Call a compliant videophone system

The main camera is light-weight and measures just 8" wide by 7" deep, and is less than 2" tall, and the package comes with all the necessary phone cords and video cables. We had our test model up and running in 10 minutes (don't forget the INPUT button on your TV or you won't get the video image).

At 15 frames per second, the image quality is quite good, though a bit jerky as most videophones are. You can adjust the video image for either better flow, or better sharpness, depending on your preference. Also, there is a very slight delay in the voice transmission, which takes some getting used to. System settings are accessed and set through on-screen prompts and touch-tone choice selection, which is somewhat awkward, as both parties have the ability to control menus using their touch tones, so some cooperation is necessary.

There are a couple of quirky aspects to the InfoView. The connection procedures can be a bit awkward when first using the system. The best avenue would be to set up the system to auto answer, and set the camera at the desired viewing area, then leave it alone. The onscreen menu is controlled by the touchtone keypad of either party's telephone.

Overall, we found the set of product features to be very useful, the installation simple, and the overall operation very straight-forward. The age of the videophone is upon us, and the InfoView is a practical, cost effective, easy-to-install, and fun system at a good price.

Pros:

Price
No PC necessary
Easy to install, easy to use
Software upgradeable over the phone
Local and remote camera zoom, pan and tilt
Auto answer setting
Privacy mode (let's you see without being seen)
Inputs for external camera
Can record calls with a VCR
Adjustable quality setting (sharpness vs. video flow)
Snapshot function
Works with other H.324 systems

Cons:

Video image slightly jerky
Slight delay in voice transmission
Call connection procedures can be awkward at first
Phone keypad menu controls could use improvement

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