<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-01-27</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001111632</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AVISTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AVSR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001482244</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Kennedy Bryan</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O AVISTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1875 SOUTH GRANT ST, 10TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN MATEO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94402</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP of Business Development</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>200000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) were granted pursuant to Avistar Communications Corporation 2009 Incentive Equity Plan. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Avistar's common stock. The RSUs vest 100% on December 28, 2011, two years after the awards being granted. Change of Control provision triggers 100% vesting. No acceleration of vesting for termination without cause.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Elias MurrayMetzger  For: Bryan Kennedy</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-01-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
