HP introduces its first Google Beam 3D video conferencing system, with a price tag of $25,000.

 
HP introduces its first Google Beam 3D video conferencing system, with a price tag of $25,000.

Amid the excitement surrounding Gemini at Google I/O last month, the company turned one of its experimental projects into a tangible product. Project Starline has now evolved into Google Beam, a cutting-edge 3D video conferencing system that creates the illusion of being in the same room with someone. Google revealed that HP would be the first to showcase the Beam setup, and now it’s official. The HP Dimension, set for release later this year, comes with a steep price tag of $24,999.

Given the advanced hardware required for Google Beam, the hefty cost isn't entirely unexpected. The HP Dimension features six high-speed cameras placed around the display, capturing the speaker from multiple angles. This visual data is then processed through Google’s proprietary volumetric video model, which stitches the streams together to create a 3D representation of the speaker.

While various Beam systems are expected to be released in different sizes, the HP model boasts a large 65-inch display. All Beam systems will employ light field screen technology, allowing the 3D model to be viewed without the need for special glasses or a headset. Google claims Beam can display intricate details at 60 frames per second, with millimeter-level precision.

Despite its eye-watering price, Google Beam is an impressive technological leap. A sneak peek at Google I/O demonstrated just how realistic the system is—making it seem like the person you're talking to is sitting right across from you. Google and HP believe that Beam’s 3D video conferencing will make meetings more effective by improving non-verbal communication and enhancing memory retention compared to traditional 2D video calls. Google has also promised that its Meet-based live translation feature will be integrated into Beam in the future.

The HP Dimension will support both Zoom and Google Meet, allowing flexibility for users. You won’t be locked into using Google's 3D technology, meaning you can still opt for regular 2D video calls. However, if most of your calls are with people using standard 2D laptop cameras, a $25,000 3D system may not be necessary. As expected, the HP Dimension is targeted primarily at enterprise customers.

Google Beam's 3D video model relies on significant cloud processing to maintain the low latency needed for real-time communication, which comes at a cost. Along with the $24,999 price tag for the hardware, the HP Dimension will require a Google Beam license, though the exact cost for that has yet to be disclosed. We’ve reached out to Google for more details, but it's possible the company is still finalizing the pricing. HP will be the first to offer the Beam hardware, but the system won’t be available until later in 2025, initially limited to “select customers.”



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