CISCO 3540 MCU EMP problem

[Mozcat]

This is my first post here so be kind. I've had a quick look through the forum and haven't found anything similar so I thought I might raise my problems.

I currently have an issue with my Cisco 3540 MCU(ver 4.0.31) when it is required to use the 3540 EMP(ver 3.0.5) functionality during conferences. It seems that whenever the EMP is used, the endpoints (Polycom FX, VS4000, VSX) statistics all start showing incredible amounts of transmitted video jitter. I initially thought it was just showing incorrect figures, but when I actually sat through 10 minutes of a conference, it was jittering,freezing etc quite noticably.

I have raised the issue with Cisco, I have double checked all my network settings, duplexing etc, I am getting no line errors to or from any of the units while a conference is in progress. I have moved the EMP to another MCU and the problem followed, I have turned off the EMP and the problem goes away. This problem has only existed since the previous MCU EMP software upgrade, as before that it wasn't happening.

Does anyone else have a similar configuration? If so are you having or not having the problem?

Any help appreciated.

[Glen Sykes]

I have the same hardware but haven't implemented this software yet. Will get back to you.

I have seen instances on previous software versions where inclusion of the EMP in services actually degrades VC quality. We never got to the bottom of that either.

[Timur]

I also have had problem but with sw. 4.1.9 and Ver3.1.2 when had H.323 connectivity with T150. Tandberg couldn’t receive picture. I couldn’t overcome problem there was no time.

[trapehzoid]

the quality can be less then when you don't use the EMP because the card is actually decoding/encoding the video. When you use voice switch or the standard quad in the MCU you aren't re-encoding the video.

I think I've heard a similar complaint about the EMP of late, but sorry I don't use it in our conferences so I can't confirm or deny problems with it.

[Timur]

Excuse me, when we use MCU without EMP we can use only VA or software CP and for example in VA mode there is no difference of picture quality with Cisco MCU (without EMP) and for example Tandberg with transcoding. EMP is MP for transcoding and simultaneous VCs.

[Entropy3XD]

I have always found the EMP (MVP for Radvision) blade to be the weak link in this product line. I am not sure what components you have upgraded, but I recommend you bring everything up to the latest release. They now have the MVP3 blade out, so if you can get a loaner from your Cisco rep you can see if that corrects the issues. You also did not mention what algorithms you are using and the features of the conferences you are using.

[jpowell79]

Not sure if anyone found a full resolution for this problem (aside from disabling the EMP completely!), but if you have I'd love to know what it was.

We are experiencing similar issues on our network, with excessive levels of video out jitter shown on our endpoints, often upto 45,000ms, yet the same endpoints when connceted p2p are as solid as a rock.

We are at the stage of getting Cisco involved with the issue, and it will be most likely that they will get us to upgrade to the latest software version, which will hopefully solve the issue, but I'd love to know if anyone has a proven solution for this?

Or would you recommend we ditch the 3540 and go and buy a codian MCU?

[JFCOMEngineer]

...would you recommend we ditch the 3540 and go and buy a codian MCU?


YES!!!

I did just that several years ago, actually bought MPS800s but the idea is the same, and my life is ever so much easier now.

Regards,

Wes