Sony PCS1 - Any Comments?

[George]

http://www.sonypcsone.com/

Anyone worked with this particular brand/model? Any comments or complaints?

http://www.sonypcsone.com/images/pcs1_200.gifhttp://www.sonypcsone.com/images/pcs1backsm.jpg

[pbraatelien]

Hi George,
I have not talked to you in awhile.
I joined ReView Video in December and we carry Sony. I also use the PCS-1 on a regular basis, so do have some exposure to it.
My overall impression is good. I am not a huge fan of the remote, being used to dedicated buttons as on the Polycom. The video and audio (when used with the external mic) are as good as the Polycom. The GUI is ok (I am still getting used to it). The price/value point is excellent compared with the Polycom.

The nice part about the Sony is that they now seem intent on staying in the market and pushing their product line.

If anyone has specific questions about the product, please let me know and I will get it for you.

[dfreeman]

I've installed about a dozen of these. Like Paul wrote the remote is a little hard to get used to. The GUI is fine, I wish it had more diagnostics. Love the quality, both of the unit itself and the conferencing quality. I would be happy to help anyone if I could, just ask.

[Skylark]

I like the unit, Its the only no PC based unit I have handled that has a VGA ouput.

But I must say I dont like that remote.

[Glen Sykes]

I can't stand the way it bolts together. Support for VC is difficult enough without having to worry about inquisitive users unplugging all the different ancillary boxes.

As a VC unit goes it's competent enough, but for me it's a case of 'I'll let someone buy it off me' rather than 'I'll sell it' :D

Skylark, Tandberg have had VGA outputs operating up to XGA resolution since 2002 (SVGA since 2000), and is certainly not PC based.

The new Tandberg 6000MXP has 2 VGA outputs! (well DVI, can be converted to VGA at next to zero cost)

[Skylark]

Skylark, Tandberg have had VGA outputs operating up to XGA resolution since 2002 (SVGA since 2000), and is certainly not PC based.


Well I havent set up many Tanbergs 8), only Polycom, Sony, Vcon and Vtel's

[MACC the AVCOtek]

Can anyone confirm that the PCS-1 AES is good Sony-to-Sony only?



BTW, I've been playing around with this unit a bit, as well as the G70 and TL50 and I''m impressed by the video quality. We were in a multipoint call (using the MCU in the G70) showing the Brady Bunch on a 50" plasma and the codec kept telling us we were experiencing packet loss but not once did the picture lock or freeze or hiccup. I think Sony really means it this time!

Oh, and I concur about the remote. It would be so much better if the Enter key were easier to mash. =] And discreet input buttons would be preferable too....

[Sean Lessman]

Can anyone confirm that the PCS-1 AES is good Sony-to-Sony only?



BTW, I've been playing around with this unit a bit, as well as the G70 and TL50 and I''m impressed by the video quality. We were in a multipoint call (using the MCU in the G70) showing the Brady Bunch on a 50" plasma and the codec kept telling us we were experiencing packet loss but not once did the picture lock or freeze or hiccup. I think Sony really means it this time!

Oh, and I concur about the remote. It would be so much better if the Enter key were easier to mash. =] And discreet input buttons would be preferable too....
Yes the Sony AES only works between Sonys.

[Alfredo]

Hello Sean,
my own level of technical experience is definetly far under yours and I like to read and learn from your statements here and elsewhere.

But your statement above lets me smile and think a little bit:

1. Sure, as far as I know, you're right on Sony's AES. But is it possible that this is only half the truth?
How far goes TB's or PLCM's AES?
Does TB's AES support TB - PLCM or TB - Sony or TB - VCON, AETHRA...
Does PLCM's AES support PLCM - TB or PLCM - Sony or PLCM - VCON, AETHRA...

2. Is that encryption thing not a "little bit" overestimated?
Of course in certain areas there is demand for encryption. But we should never forget: the only thing which gets encrypted by vc equipment is traffic via the lines. Rooms and human beings are not encrypted by that.
What about normal phone calls or emails during normal working hours in that companies, who are demanding for or whom we are offering encryption via vc?

Glad to get an answer on that
rgds
Alfredo

[Sean Lessman]

Hello Sean,
my own level of technical experience is definetly far under yours and I like to read and learn from your statements here and elsewhere.

But your statement above lets me smile and think a little bit:

1. Sure, as far as I know, you're right on Sony's AES. But is it possible that this is only half the truth?
How far goes TB's or PLCM's AES?
Does TB's AES support TB - PLCM or TB - Sony or TB - VCON, AETHRA...
Does PLCM's AES support PLCM - TB or PLCM - Sony or PLCM - VCON, AETHRA...

2. Is that encryption thing not a "little bit" overestimated?
Of course in certain areas there is demand for encryption. But we should never forget: the only thing which gets encrypted by vc equipment is traffic via the lines. Rooms and human beings are not encrypted by that.
What about normal phone calls or emails during normal working hours in that companies, who are demanding for or whom we are offering encryption via vc?

Glad to get an answer on that
rgds
Alfredo
Hi Alfredo,

1. There are two available 'versions' of H.235 AES, version 2 and version 3. Version 3 is newer and improved over version 2. TANDBERG supports both in all endpoints. Polycom supports version 3 only in most endpoints. They are compatible providing both sides are capable of version 3. You need a minimum of:

TANDBERG Classic Endpoints (B9/E4)
TANDBERG MXP Endpoints (all)
Polycom VSX Endpoints (version 5)
Polycom EX/FX/VS4000 (version 6)
iPower (version 6)

So the quick answer is yes, both Polycom and TANDBERG are compatible using ITU H.235 AES for IP. Also keep in mind H.235 is only for IP, H.233 is for ISDN and H.234 is for the key exchange (we both use diffe-hellman). Both IP and ISDN is compatible.

2. You are correct, the human factor is always the least focused on weak link and even if you are encrypted, that factor still exists. A true security policy should include securing your tools (video, PCs, LAN etc) and educating your people to they are not 'socially hacked'. We do not provide training classes on social hacking, its not our business. So we provide the products that address the other side of the equation -- secure productivity tools.

If you dont see the point of security because people are the weak link, then why have a firewall for your LAN, passcards to get into the office, or login passwords for your PC? That weak link is always going to be there and is only part of the total security picture your organization should consider.

Emails can be easily encrypted and most large organizations do this today.

Voice calls are not always encrypted, but then again you aren't showing company confidential information in the form of presentations, source code, CAD drawings, patient records etc over the phone. If you want a secure conference, audio or video, you can use your video system now :-)


Sean

[GTC]

[QUOTE=Sean Lessman]Hi Alfredo,

"So the quick answer is yes, both Polycom and TANDBERG are compatible using ITU H.235 AES for IP".

Sean,
I have found with Polycom VSX8000 (7.5.1) when connected to a MXP (F2.1) over IP and encryption is active on both systems the MXP does not display any decoded video that the VSX is sending it.
The Polycom displays both local and remote video OK when encryption is active

You will see when you activate and deactivate encryption within the call the MXP will show only display the decoded video from the UN-ENCRYPTED call


Me still thinks some compatibility and interop issues need resolving, if you do arrange for any testng to be carried out why not also check H.239 compatibility between VSX's and MXP's. I have found several concerning issues here also..................

[MACC the AVCOtek]

Yes the Sony AES only works between Sonys.

Mahalo, Sean!

Now for the real challenge: can you explain why? :squareeye

[Sean Lessman]

[QUOTE=Sean Lessman]Hi Alfredo,

"So the quick answer is yes, both Polycom and TANDBERG are compatible using ITU H.235 AES for IP".

Sean,
I have found with Polycom VSX8000 (7.5.1) when connected to a MXP (F2.1) over IP and encryption is active on both systems the MXP does not display any decoded video that the VSX is sending it.
The Polycom displays both local and remote video OK when encryption is active

You will see when you activate and deactivate encryption within the call the MXP will show only display the decoded video from the UN-ENCRYPTED call


Me still thinks some compatibility and interop issues need resolving, if you do arrange for any testng to be carried out why not also check H.239 compatibility between VSX's and MXP's. I have found several concerning issues here also..................
Last I checked it was working fine. I do not believe you can disable and re-enable encryption during the call -- that does have a problem. We support this, but I believe the Polycom does not restart the key exchange during a call. There are some details around this that we discovered during interop some time ago, I do not remember all the details offhand but will try to dig some up and give you some info.

Sean

[Sean Lessman]

Mahalo, Sean!

Now for the real challenge: can you explain why? :squareeye
MACC, I haven't look that far into the details and even if I had them, I think that is a question best left to Sony to comment on. Sorry :)

There is a very clear standard in the ITU for doing this so it shouldn't be a problem for Sony to address this in the future and I am sure they will as their customer base grows and the demand is there.

Sean

[ibriseno]

?In the future... as there customer base grows ? Sound like the chicken and the egg. I am waiting for them to develop a patch that will allow there TL-50 units to AES w/ the rest of the world. And allow H.264 calls, while in the MCU. I dont know how resoanable it is to wait for them to patch thier firmware to do thing it should already be able to do, while they try to build a customer base.