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mkeith
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 12

Posted 7/29/2009 12:36 PM (GMT -4)

Overview of Polycom Videoconferencing Codecs
Forum Article
Frank Sabella, Dascom Sales

Videoconferencing equipment has been around for many years. Dascom has been installing videoconferencing systems for as long as it has been in business. The distance learning projects we have completed over the years utilize single or multiple videoconferencing codecs, the devices used to encode and decode a digital data stream. The last generations of codecs were standard-definition video. While they still make some standard-definition units, the most effective and by far the most dynamic units are the new generation of high-definition (HD) codecs.

For this article I would like to take a look at the units offered by Polycom.

Polycom has been a world leader in communications products for many years and their series of videoconferencing codecs are extremely reliable, easy to set up and use, and have a large inventory of features and options.

· HDX-9000 Series
The top of the line codec is the HDX-9000 series. This is the codec we use in advanced installations such as telepresence rooms, multiple site HD content rooms, or a large-scale multi-screen room. The 9000 series has many applications but there are several other series that may fit with your installation and budget.

· HDX-8000 Series
Perhaps the most cost-effective and diverse codecs are the HDX-8000 series. These come in several configurations for microphone inputs, software packages, and content distribution. The 8000 series bundles give you the camera, microphone array, and software (i.e. people-and-content or multi-point software). People-and-content software is the most popular and we recommend it for all installations. This simply gives you the ability to show content from devices such as PCs, document cameras, DVD players, etc. The multi-point software allows you to connect with four other sites giving you the ability to hold a large conference hosted from a single site. The 8000 series also allows communication with control systems such as AMX and Crestron.

· HDX-7000 Series
The HDX-7000 series is also a nice solutions-based codec. This is a great product for smaller single display installations. Like the 9000, and 8000, the 7000 are upgradeable through simple software keys so if you want to add certain features (such as people and content) at a later time, it is easily done with a call to Dascom.

*Note: The 7000 codecs are not easily controllable through an AMX or Crestron system so it is recommended that it be used in smaller systems that do not require advanced automation.

· HDX-6000 Series
The newest of the codecs is the HDX-6000 series. This is a great single display cart-based system codec. It is priced well, has great features, and is very easy to use. It cannot do a lot of the more advanced features the above units can, but again if you have a simple cart with an LCD, this is a great codec for that type of system.

· QDX-6000
Polycom also makes a new codec series called the QDX-6000. This is a DVD-quality bundled solution that works great for small to medium-sized boardrooms or classrooms. It comes with some of the software packages built in such as people and content. This unit cannot do multi-point so it is best when used in applications that will not require multi-site hosting.

We have looked at a lot of devices in this article and as you can see it really all comes down to the application and execution of the systems integration. Whether you need a full telepresence system with multiple monitors and face-to-face imaging or you simply need a small cart based system that can roll from room to room when needed, Polycom has a solution.

Of course there are many other products that go into making a full videoconferencing system, but if you have a good reliable codec, the rest is much more simple.

More Information:

For general information on this topic, please reply to this article or visit this link to fill out an information form:
http://www.dascom-systems.com/index-4_1ContactForm.html

Below is contact information for Dascom regional sales:

National Sales :
Telephone: (651) 578-1200 ext.3
E-mail: sales@dascom-systems.com

Iowa Regional Sales :
Telephone: (651) 789-4487
E-mail: iowasales@dascom-systems.com

Eastern Wisconsin Sales :
Telephone: (651) 789-4471
E-mail: wiscsales@dascom-systems.com

Nebraska Regional Sales :
Telephone: (651) 789-4483
E-mail: nebsales@dascom-systems.com

_{Post Edited (mkeith) : 7/29/2009 11:54:45 AM (GMT-4)

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