Product Updates

Serious Magic released Visual Communicator 2, an upgrade to its software that comes in three versions: Visual Communicator Web ($199.95), Visual Communicator Pro ($399.95) and Visual Communicator Studio ($695.00). All enable productions that appear as though they were created for a TV newscast. Each version offers an onscreen teleprompter, customizable graphics and titles, real-time transitions and virtual sets. They also include a professional clip-on microphone and V-ScreenT foldable backdrop material for green screen effects. Version 2 introduces several new features, including Flex Recording, which allows users to shoot segments out of sequence or at different times, and On-The-Fly Editing, which gives users the power to add or change media such as PowerPoint slides, graphics or video while recording their presentations. www.seriousmagic.com

PresenterNet, a provider of online interactive Web conferencing services, has added Team Selling capabilities to the company’s online system. Team Selling creates a multipresenter environment for online Web conferencing. To use Team Selling, two or more PresenterNet users from locations anywhere in the world can temporarily link their accounts to a shared online conference room and present to all audience members logged on to that room. Presenters have full control of their own slides while they speak. www.presenternet.com

Hitachi has lowered the bar, so to speak, on projector prices. Its Performa CP-RS55 projector sells at an estimated street price of $899. With 1,500 ANSI lumens of brightness, SVGA resolution and weighing 4.8 pounds, Hitachi says the projector is ideal for transporting between the office and home. The projector offers three Picture Mode settings – normal, cinema and dynamic – so users can choose the best mode for projecting PowerPoint slides or the Super Bowl. www.hitachi.us/digitalmedia

Artbeats has released its Extreme Sports collection of royalty-free video clips. The collection includes more than 30 clips of extreme sports enthusiasts participating in dangerous sports such as base jumping, kneeboarding, mountain climbing, whitewater kayaking and anchor diving. Extreme Sports is available in D1 NTSC-720 x 486 or D1 PAL-720 x 576 resolutions and is priced at $499. www.artbeats.com