The integration between Skype and the midrange high-definition videoconferencing system will allow many more people to participate in virtual meetings. LifeSize claims Passport will be the first room-based videoconferencing system that can work with Skype. But users will pay a price in quality for the convenience of linking up with Skype. All the participants will move to the lowest common denominator video quality, which falls short of HD.

Logitech, the parent company of LifeSize, has a presence in both ends of the videoconferencing business. In addition to room-based systems such as Passport and the higher end LifeSize Room platform, it makes webcams priced under US$100. Making Passport systems work with Skype brings those worlds together. Because Skype also works on many PCs and mobile phones, and has a vast community of registered users, the new integration could also expand the pool of participants in video sessions.

"For companies that have conference rooms deployed and people out on the road or in hotels, I think the ability to accept a Skype call when you need to accept a Skype call is a tremendous advantage," said Wainhouse Research analyst Andrew Davis.

Davis believes LifeSize will be only the first of many vendors of room-based systems to integrate Skype. Davis also thinks Facebook, with a user base of more than 500 million, could be an attractive integration target for videoconferencing vendors.

Skype users can join in on a Passport video session from any Skype client, or even initiate a call, according to Mary Miller, director of product marketing at LifeSize. With the software upgrade, Passport users will be able to log into their own Skype accounts and get access to their Skype buddy lists. They can search through the list and call a buddy with the Passport's remote.