I'm going to need to set up video conferencing between Hawaii and Seattle for a small business.
They would like to use a mounted TV to do the video conferencing. It will be one TV to one TV communication.
One option would be to go with Polycom's HDX 6000 series telepresence solutions. I think this device needs a server like Microsoft Lync.
They don't seem to list their prices on Polycom but a google search says the hardware costs about $5000. Lync standard editon costs $699. Total cost for two Polycom's and one Lync server: $10,699
This would be secure, HD, and would offer more features than we need.
Another option would be to use Skype enabled TV's or blu-ray players, which would cost a total of $600 for two sets.
This would also be secure, and HD.
Is the obvious answer to use Skype? Am I missing anything?
I'm doing East-coast/West-coast teleconferences via Skype and it works well or our small business. Even multi-party video calls. We have an inexpensive dedicated machine in the conference room, got a decent webcam for it mounted on top of the TV screen, and invested in a USB conference mic. Total cost for us was under $1000 each end.
The West-coast side is on consumer broadband, and latencies have not been an issue for us. Seattle/Hawaii should be quite doable.
Have you checked out LifeSize? In my opinion they tend to be cheaper / better than Polycom for several reasons. We've swapped all our Polycom's out with them over the last three years and you couldn't pay us to swap back.
The passport seems perfect for your requirements.
I do not work LifeSize / Logitech in any way.