The new Rally Streamline kit can turn a lecture theater into a TV studio using a PTZ camera and … [+]
Many people think that Logitech is just a mouse and keyboard brand, but the Swiss company has been quietly developing a range of high-end video conferencing equipment for the corporate, education and medical markets. In an age where business travel budgets are under pressure for both financial and environmental reasons, video conferencing has never been more important, and rapid adoption is driving innovation at a rapid pace.
The latest flagship video conferencing product launched by Logitech is the new Rally Camera Streamline kit, a comprehensive USB Pan Tilt Zoom video solution that is designed specifically for hyflex learning environments and modern workspaces. The system consists of a PTZ camera, an electronics box, and three wireless remote control switches that can trigger the camera to pan, tilt, or zoom to a new preset photo.
Many higher education institutions must meet the evolving demands of their students. Some students will want to attend lectures in person, while others will prefer to log in via the Internet either live or online because they are shift workers or located far away from the university in a distance learning program. For these reasons, the need to capture high-quality lecture content has never been greater. New ways to easily produce more compelling video lectures must be developed so that more people can participate in flexible or hybrid learning.
The Rally Camera is a USB PTZ device and can be wall or ceiling mounted.
Logitech’s flagship Rally Camera is designed to easily switch between a series of preset camera views and is simple to install and troubleshoot, even remotely. Additionally, the system puts the lecturer in control by providing a series of remote control pads that they can press to activate alternate camera views from a single camera when moving around a lecture theatre. For example, a teacher may be working on a whiteboard before walking across the room to where an experiment is set up. When they arrive at the new location, a press of the remote control key will signal the camera that it’s time to reframe the shot.
Michele Hermann is Logitech’s vice president and general manager of Education. She says: “PTZ cameras with speaker tracking for lecture capture are often overly complex and expensive, adding unnecessary hardware to standard USB AV setups while creating unpredictable and distracting user experiences. The Rally Camera Streamline Kit is an accessible and easy-to-install solution that minimizes setup complexity while improving user experience and content delivery.”
The Rally Camera Streamline suite gives presenters and lecturers control over the flow of their video narration and can provide a more engaging experience for online audiences. Presenters can easily switch between preset camera views using intuitive, context-sensitive buttons or remote keys. These trigger points also simplify setup for an organization’s AV teams by eliminating the need for presenter training or multiple cameras to change views.
The Rally Streamline Kit can be used to provide switching between preset camera views. For example, … [+]
The Logitech Rally Camera and Expansion Kit consists of a USB PTZ camera that can be connected and powered up to 100 meters away using an Ethernet cable. The camera connects to the control box which then plugs into USB-based AV equipment. There are simplified options for mounting on a wall, a tripod or from a ceiling using an inverted national pipe thread. The system offers discrete cable routing for a more efficient and professional installation.
The Rally Camera and its USB-based technology can work with most operating systems as well as the most popular video collaboration and lecture capture platforms, making it a versatile device for any presentation environment. A few switchboards around the lecture theater and the presenter simply pushes a button to instantly switch to a new camera angle. Because the PTZ camera can pan, tilt and zoom, the picture will always be framed correctly and can be preset to match the position of the switches.
Price and availability: The new Logitech Rally Camera Streamline Kit includes the PTZ Rally Camera, accessory kit, mounts and three wireless preset buttons. The kit will be available to pre-order in spring 2025 through channel partners with a suggested retail price of £1,807. The Expansion Kit, individual mounts and individual buttons will also be available for sale as add-ons.
