The new Polycom VSX products released

[Timo Savolainen]

Whats up with these? The Polycom website really doesn't give that much information on what the 7400, 7800, 8400 and 8800 are. The VSX8000 seems to be the codec version of VSX7000 and it seems like the VSX series now got the new software with H.239, standard H.264 etc. Anyone mind doing a quick sum up of whats new here?

[Gary Miyakawa]

Here is the Press Release from Polycom. It gives a pretty good list of new features.



Polycom Introduces VSX 8000: Industry's Most Powerful Video Conferencing Solutions For Systems Integrators Polycom VSX 8000 series delivers highest performance and highest level of investment protection for customers.

PLEASANTON, Calif. – July 12, 2004 – Polycom®, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCM), the world’s leading provider of unified collaborative communications solutions, today introduced the Polycom VSX™ 8000 series, the most powerful video conferencing systems for the needs of systems integrators. Based on the award-winning Polycom VSX architecture, the VSX 8000 series offers a small, rack-mountable solution that includes expansive options for integrating video communications into large conference rooms, educational settings or other integrated custom-room environments. The Polycom VSX 8000 series ships with VSX software Release 7.0 announced today (see related announcement today titled: “Polycom Delivers First “Surround” Stereo, Conference Phone/Video Integration and SIP Video for Award-Winning VSX Line”)

“The Polycom VSX 8000 offers exactly what we were looking for - incredible audio and video quality, professional connector capabilities, a small form factor, and integrated high-resolution data sharing capabilities for custom-room environments,” said Jerry Connolly, technical engineer with SPL Integrated Systems, a national systems integrator. “The flexible system works great out-of-the-box and the integration with Polycom SoundStation VTX 1000™ conference phones enables truly unique telephone dialing that is simple and intuitive for users. Polycom has impressed us once again with this new best-in-class system.”

“The VSX 8000 is an impressive system that represents a quantum leap for video systems in terms of quality, ease of use and overall performance,” said Dave Horn, conferencing services manager with Entergy. “The professional connector capabilities make the system easier to integrate into larger rooms and the customizable interface is great for adapting the system to the specific needs of users. We are a Nortel Networks shop and the SIP support for the Nortel Networks Multimedia Communication Server systems is also an important consideration for our future planning and development.”

Polycom VSX 8000 series – the most powerful video conferencing systems
The Polycom VSX 8000 series is designed based on integrator requirements with unique features including professional video connectors and Phoenix audio connectors with balanced line-level input, and industry-first integration options with Polycom Vortex® installed-room voice systems, Polycom SoundStation VTX 1000 wideband conference phones, and leading conference room control systems such as Crestron and AMX controllers.

“The VSX 8000 sets a new standard as the most powerful, feature-rich system for the needs of systems integrators,” said Ed Ellett, senior vice president and general manager of video communications at Polycom. “We listened to customers and delivered a system that is receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from those who have tested it. The VSX 8000 also delivers unprecedented investment protection. It is designed with ample horsepower, which combined with the underlying Polycom VSX architecture enables us to continue to deliver unrivaled performance, integration and convergence with solutions from Polycom and our leading technology partners.”

Polycom VSX 8000 system capabilities include:


Highest audio quality available –Patent-pending 14 KHz Polycom® StereoSurround™ technology for wideband stereo sound that delivers greater intelligibility and multi-dimensional sound for the most natural conference experience.
Highest video quality available – ProMotion™ 60 fps full-motion video, H.264 video for higher quality over lower bandwidths.
High-resolution data collaboration – H.239 People+Content™ enables users to send and receive high-resolution content during a video call. Users have a choice to directly connect a laptop to the VSX 8000 or connect through a tabletop ImageShare™ device.
Multipoint features – Supports up to 20 video and audio participants in a call with the proper configuration. Interoperable with Polycom MGC™ and other standards-based conference bridges for broader multipoint scalability.
Multi-network capabilities – Support for IP and ISDN networks with a unique internal network bay that supports Quad BRI, PRI and Serial (V.35/RS-449/RS-530) network interface modules.
SIP support – The VSX 8000 currently supports SIP interoperability with Microsoft Live Communication Server and Nortel Networks Multimedia Communication Server (MCS) 5100 and 5200 products.
Professional-grade connectors - System includes professional connectors (i.e. Phoenix) for audio, video, Vortex, microphones and IR terminal block connections; as well as XGA input and output to drive flat-panel displays, second monitors and high-resolution content; and voice add-in capabilities through POTS or ISDN connections.
Industry-first voice and video integration – VSX 8000 series systems are available with bundle options for instant integration with Polycom Vortex installed-room voice systems, or Polycom SoundStation VTX 1000 wideband conference phones, which enables users to dial video calls from the phone or add voice participants.
Off-the-shelf controller integration – The system features two serial data ports for AMX or Crestron control panels, Vortex voice products integration, auxiliary camera control or as a communication port for serial data (i.e. medical devices).
Investment protection – The VSX 8000 series is equipped with added processing power to support future functionality and system expansion to ensure continued leading-edge performance.
Three configurations are available:


Polycom VSX 8800 – Polycom’s most powerful videoconferencing system includes video codec and remote, H.239 People+Content with ImageShare, PowerCam™ Plus camera and a high-fidelity speaker kit and two VSX microphones for optimal quality audio with Polycom StereoSurround.
Polycom VSX 8400 – A powerful videoconferencing system with numerous rear panel connectors includes video codec and remote, H.239 People+Content with ImageShare, PowerCam camera and VSX microphones.
Polycom VSX 8000 – A video codec designed for integrators – includes a handheld remote control.
Polycom VSX 7800 and VSX 7400 – new standards for mainstream conference rooms
Polycom is expanding the award-winning VSX 7000 product line with two new models designed for mainstream conference rooms that need high-quality video communications with the option for high-resolution data sharing and multipoint capabilities.


Polycom VSX 7800 – Polycom’s most advanced set top videoconferencing system includes mixed IP/ISDN multipoint capability; high-resolution H.239 People+Content with VisualConcert™ VSX, Second Display Adaptor and a high-fidelity speaker kit and two VSX microphones for optimal quality audio with Polycom StereoSurround.
Polycom VSX 7400 – A high quality set top for enterprises with collaboration requirements includes H.239 People+Content with VisualConcert VSX, and a Second Display Adaptor for the optimum collaboration solution.
Pricing and Availability
Polycom VSX 8000 series, VSX 7400 and VSX 7800 systems are scheduled for availability in July through Polycom channel partners. Polycom VSX 8000 series systems start at US$12,999. Polycom VSX 7000 series systems start at US$5,999. For the first year, Polycom also includes telephone help desk support, software updates and upgrades. Customers can purchase a higher level of service from Polycom channel partners with cost-effective multi-year agreements available. AES is included and embedded multipoint capability is available as an optional software license for some VSX models (included on 8000 series and 7800 systems).

About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. is the world’s technology leader of high-quality, easy-to-use video, voice, data and web conferencing and collaboration solutions. The Polycom Office™ is our continued commitment to make distance communications as natural and interactive as being there by providing best-in-class conferencing solutions that are interoperable, integrated and intuitive to the user. The Polycom Office is based on industry standards and supported by an open architecture that promotes interoperability in multi-vendor environments and complements leading network infrastructure platforms. For additional information, call 1-800-POLYCOM (765-9266) or +1-408-526-9000, or visit the Polycom web site at www.polycom.com (http://www.polycom.com/).

Polycom, the Polycom logo and Vortex are registered trademarks and Polycom Office, Polycom VSX, Siren, ProMotion, Polycom StereoSurround, VisualConcert, MPPlus, PowerCam, ImageShare, MGC, SoundStation VTX 1000, and People+Content are trademarks of Polycom in the U.S. and various countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2004, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events, future demand for our products, and future growth prospects that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions, which may differ materially from our or our industry’s actual future events or results. Further information on potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results are discussed in our 2003 form 10-K, quarterly reports on form 10-Q, and other reports filed by Polycom with the SEC.



Gary Miyakawa

[Timo Savolainen]

Where can I find the other press releases?

-Edit- Here: http://www.polycom.com/investor_relations/0,1434,pw-180,FF.html

[George]

Anyone got photos? A picture is worth 1000 words :D

[Timo Savolainen]

Polycoms website has a few pictures of the new codec and seems like the x400 and x800 are just the basic models with some bundles like multipoint, speakers etc. What I'd like to know is more on the available speeds with H.264 and more on the multipoint option.. like is encryption, H.239 and H.264 available, what are the framerates etc.

[Gary Miyakawa]

Pictures...

http://www.polycom.com/products_services/pw_productimage_full/1,1444,1244,00.jpg


http://www.polycom.com/products_services/pw_productimage_reverse/1,1446,1244,00.jpg

Gary Miyakawa

[mazzarak]

I think my favourite line from the blurb is ...

"Direct microphone input with phantom power"
......
expect to see one-upmanship from Tandberg as they launch

"Integrated speakers with Ninja-chop action"

or Sony releasing

"Auto-camera tracking, complete with Invisibility Cloak"

possibly.

[tom9933]

Ok I’ll try to answer the questions I’ve seen so far.
First off Timo is correct the 7000 and 8000 units are being bundled with various options to come up with the new packages.
H.264 goes up to 512k, in this release and seems to be fully interoperable with Tandberg’s. I’ve also seen that H.264 seems to now do up to 30fps in a call.
I’m not sure about the 20 sites in multipoint that the release talks about, but I can tell you that multipoint works with H.264, AES, and mixed (Siren 14, Stereo Siren 14 and G.722) audio. You also get the continuous presence layouts that the EX/FX and 4000 have.
BTW the new software also has streaming, web remote, web based video snap shots, a scheduler and a really cool web based control panel called web director.

[Sean Lessman]

Ok I’ll try to answer the questions I’ve seen so far.
First off Timo is correct the 7000 and 8000 units are being bundled with various options to come up with the new packages.
H.264 goes up to 512k, in this release and seems to be fully interoperable with Tandberg’s. I’ve also seen that H.264 seems to now do up to 30fps in a call.
I’m not sure about the 20 sites in multipoint that the release talks about, but I can tell you that multipoint works with H.264, AES, and mixed (Siren 14, Stereo Siren 14 and G.722) audio. You also get the continuous presence layouts that the EX/FX and 4000 have.
BTW the new software also has streaming, web remote, web based video snap shots, a scheduler and a really cool web based control panel called web director.

Hi Tom,

The H.264 is now standards based and does work with TANDBERG and other standards based products. It even works with TANDBERG E2 software released last July :-)

In our interop testing we could not get H.264 above 15fps. Not to say this will not be resolved when the software is finally released.

20 sites in the embedded MCU is when you cascade multiple units. I am sure this is in response to the TANDBERG MXP having the ability to do up to 6 video @ 1Mbps + 5 telephone with only one unit. In fairness, if we cascade MXP units, we could get up to 56 sites. I agree its not practical to do it this way, but it is possible.

Are you sure about H.264 in the embedded MCU? I have received different feedback.

Sean

[tom9933]

Sean,
I just re-tested and it appears you are correct; the unit is going back to 263 when the second endpoint comes in. Sorry about the confusion I would have sworn that I saw it doing 264. I guess I was just a little too excited when playing around with the new software :)

[trapehzoid]

Sean,
I just re-tested and it appears you are correct; the unit is going back to 263 when the second endpoint comes in. Sorry about the confusion I would have sworn that I saw it doing 264. I guess I was just a little too excited when playing around with the new software :)

man.. I hope they get that figured out. I mean.. what good is h264's bandwidth savings if I can't count on it? I mean.. I can't build a network for 192kbs usage if I'm not going to be able to use h264 all the time... especially since VSX is the platform that is going to be around for awhile.

Suprising to see in the wainhouse writeup he finally sees the write-off of everything non-VSX... and iroincally commenting why it wasn't done sooner.

Here's a thought.. looking at the VSX 7.0 release.. 90% of it is bringing it BACK up to par where the FX left off. Hey Andrew.. maybe it's because the VSX wasn't ready to replace the rest of the products!
:depressed

[Timo Savolainen]

Here's a thought.. looking at the VSX 7.0 release.. 90% of it is bringing it BACK up to par where the FX left off. Hey Andrew.. maybe it's because the VSX wasn't ready to replace the rest of the products!
:depressed

That's what I think as well. We were just yesterday going through the new release and the conclusion was that the 7.0 brings the features to the VSX series that should've been there when they released it! Let's hope 30fps H.264 in multipoint is something that the hardware is capable of and Polycom will make it work... :nervous:

[mazzarak]

picture of the 7000 plus add ons. Very nice...

[Syed-Ali]

Hi,

Any one can provide me the new software release for VSX7000, the one which have the contineous presence option avaialble,.

I need to load on my vsx 7k and seee ...

The POLYCOM Asia is still in BETA phases.

Rgds,

[Syed-Ali]

Also,
some specific differences between the VSX 7000, 7400 and 7800...

[carolyn]

For those who have been inquiring about the new product line as well as software issues onh the 7000.

I sat through this meeting last week and it is very informative. while i still have ?? the webinar helped out a lot.
Webinar Invitation
You are invited to attend a free webinar to learn more about Polycom’s new products that were launched on July 12th.

July 15th 10:00 am CST
July 21st 3:00 pm CST

Limited seating is open to customers only - Register NOW!

to register for the 21st..

http://www.polycomconnect.com/Apps/DCS/mcp?r=7003Xig0000003E2p03Xig0

[kengrif]

So has anyone seen a demo of the VSX 7000 + VTX1000 combined system.
Does it work as advertised.

[MJ1127]

Good day,

Does anyone know where I can find Salary specific information for the CVE? I just pass the CVE test and wanted to know where to find information about salary I also have a TS Clearance.

Please help anyone