Vialta Beamer Phone Video Station (BM80-2, Pair)

Add color, motion video to any phone call between yourself and another party using Vialta's Beamer. There are no hookup hassles, service fees, or extra per-call expenses. The Beamer is compatible with any home phone over a standard analog phone line. It requires no additional equipment or wiring. Plus, this package includes two Beamer phones--one for you and one for a friend, family member, or colleague, so you can start making video calls right away.

Setup takes only a few minutes. Just plug your phone line into the Beamer and then connect the Beamer to your phone. When you call another Beamer owner and press Start, video is transmitted to the other party at up to 15 frames per second. For your party's privacy, the unit displays only a message on your screen until the other party also presses the Start button and transmits video back to you.

In addition to video, you can use the snapshot feature to send a high-resolution still image of yourself to the other party. The snapshot feature doubles as a privacy mode, temporarily preventing video transmission for as long as you want. Enjoy three viewing options: self, to view just yourself (how you will appear to the other party); other party, to view your called party; and combo, to display both you and the other party at the same time.

Product Description
Vialta BM80-2 BEAMER TELEPHONE VIDEO STATION - Add video capability to your regular phone calls. This is a package of 2 Beamer models. Additional Beamer models must be used for standard phones (of other individuals) to have videophone service. May also receive video reception from another caller using a PC-Camera. Three viewing choices - Self-view, Other party view, or Combo view Snapshot/Privacy option - send a high resolution video image and temporarily halt any new video transmission, until you want it to continue Detail/movement control to select the degree of definition Supports Caller ID (if you have this service with your local phone service provider) 3.5 LCD screen Skid-proof base Tinted acrylic frame Recessed control buttons Lightweight and portable Connects to standard RJ11 phone jack Package of 2

Let me start by stating that the instalation and operation of the Beamer is a no-brainer! That in itself is a God-send to people that are not technology-oriented (like grandparents might be...). It's also portable! So if the other party travels a lot (like retirees might do...), they can pack it up and take it with them - BUT ATTENTION, it will require an analog phone line to use.

Another good thing is that it doesn't require monthly fees of any sort. You only pay for your regular phone call (obviously, if it's a long distance or international you'll pay the appropriate rate); there is no extra-cost for adding video to it.

The quality of the image is acceptable even on international calls. Better than using netmeeting over dial-up connections, a little worse than using netmeeting over broadband connections. You can definitely tell who is the person you are talking to and see their facial expressions with accuracy. Attention: lighting is essential to obtain good results!

The units are sturdy and look beautiful. The LCD screen does have some pixels that seem brighter or darker than others (I would call them dead pixels) - and this is mentioned in the manual, but nothing that compromises the experience.

Finally, it is non-obstrusive. You can plug it to the phone and it will only come live if someone activates a beamer on the other side. Otherwise it is just a nice looking portrait-like thing over your desk.

I give it four stars for two reasons:

a) price wise it could be better. [it] is a lot of money for any appliance and to use this you need to buy at least two...

b) it would be wonderful if this thing could use the internet to place the calls (kind of like a netmeeting machine). This would eliminate long distance calls (although you would have to pay for an ISP). It might add to the size of the unit, but certainly would cut the costs on communication.


Pleasure to see relatives, but need use right phone company   April 10, 2003
30 out of 31 found this review helpful

My parents-in-law lives in Beijing and we are in US. At first the beamer does not work - not able to establish a connection. Evetually the technical support of Beamer tried to use some other phone services and was able to find one that works. It is a 10-10 number from AT&T. Beamer did not work with calls made from my long distance carrier or phone cards.

It is a thrill to see relatives afar after long separation. I have the picture quality on the high on both sides and asked both sides to remain stable, this way the pictures are sharp and tolerably smooth.

I tried this phone with my parents who live in central China but no luck, even with 10-10 numbers. So definitely there is no guarantee that this setup will work for you.


Seeing My Infant Granddaughter Daily   December 20, 2002
16 out of 20 found this review helpful

My daughter lives 3000 miles away, and when she gave birth to my first grandchild earlier this year it saddened me that I wouldn't be able to see my granddaughter as often as I would like to. Now with Beamer, I get to see her eating her Cheerios, waving hello and even saw her dressed in her new, adorable Christmas outfit.

I'm not real comfortable with electronics stuff, so I was really happy that Beamer was very easy to set up and use. All I do is pick up the phone and call my daughter, so there was really nothing new to learn. I also like the fact that I didn't have to buy a new phone, or pay anything extra for my phone calls.

While the Beamer video is definitely not DVD or TV picture quality, I still get to see my granddaughter smile anytime I want to, and she gets to see me. Since she's still too young to be talking, it makes me feel a whole lot better that I can see her on the phone and start a relationship with her from so far away. Beamer isn't quite the Jetsons cartoons, which my kids watched while they were growing up, but it sure has changed my life.

I gave Beamer 5 stars because it does what it promised. It was easy to set up and use, the picture is good (not great), and most importantly, it helps me stay connected to the rest of my family.


Costly repair   May 28, 2004
16 out of 18 found this review helpful

I bought two units of the beamer and sent one to my family. Turn out one unit is defective - something wrong with the camera. If I send it back to Vialta for repair, they charge me close to $100 + shipping. I think this is a ridiculous amount, as it is almost enough to get a new one.


Vialta Beamer-Not worth it!   February 6, 2003
14 out of 20 found this review helpful

My wife and I are separated and we thought the Beamer would be the perfect choice to bridge our distance. No way! The video at best, is so pixelated and time lagged that the little tiny screen barely shows who or what you're looking at. Never has it been in "real time" and it's no better then the first web cams that came out on the internet six years ago. I've done my diagnostics and it's the Beamer, not my phone line or connection.
It's not a video phone; it's a waste of time, waste of money, waste of extra phone call charges from when it "connects", and most of all, a great dissapointment for two people who are apart.