Which endpoint is the best choice in this case?

[VTCTalker]

I am controlling a distance learning VC network of 2 MGC-100 and 24 iPower 600 systems over ISDN. We gonna add around 60 IP endpoints into the network.
Our budget is under 10k per endpoint system.
Which endpoint is the best choice in this case?

Please give me your advise.
Thanks.

[ChuckF]

Just a couple more questions -

Since you are in a DL environment, what other features are required of these endpoints - T.120?, People+Content?

Does the budget # per endpoint include the need for carts/monitors? Or is this budget price just for the codec? (ie - what's the intended use - roll-about, or classroom integration)

Since you said you "control" these systems, what are you using for that? PCS or GMS? What I am getting at is do these systems need to be supported with an existing management system.

[VTCTalker]

Many thanks ChuckF for quick response.

Our users should get the key features to see and hear the seperated videos/audios of teacher and his content (We are using People+Content on iPower 600 with ImageShare).

The budget of 10k is for the codec only.

And I am using MGC Manager to schedule and control conferences.

[ChuckF]

Since you are currently a complete Polycom customer, I would recommend staying with the line for synergy, interoperability issues, and future purchasing. With that said, the "Best" available with your current requirements would be the Polycom VSX series, either a 7000 or 8000, with my recommendation being the VSX7400. The 7400 includes an integrated camera plus the VisualConcert VSX (for P+C). Not sure if it is sub $10k, but I believe it is. PM me if you would like a more detailed quote.

MGC Manager does not necessarily "control" endpoints, just the MGC. A management package would be GMS, something you might want to consider. Since you are adding 60 IP endpoints, you might want to consider adding a Gatekeeper. Polycom has PathNavigator which 7.0 integrates nicely with the MGC, but there are others as well. Let me know if you need more information.

[pzielie]

Although you currently have an all Polycom organization now. You have iPowers which are for purposes an extinct system. The People plus content on these systems will be incompatible with pretty much anything going forward, so this may be a good opportunity going forward tolook at the market.

I would reccomend staying away from PC based systems in the future because of reliability issues that arise keeping a PC secure compared to a Hardware appliance.

Your MGC100s are going to work with anything on the market going forward.

My personal (biased) preference in the distance ed line has been Aethra. You can get a VegaStar Silver Split with H.239 and XGA I/O for under 9K list. I am sure the price is lower in 60 unit quantities. This will get you an autotracking camera head and a seperate electronics package you can keep locked away. We are starting to see a lot of Univerities going this route.

The data sheet is at:

http://www.vsig.net/files/Aethra/Data_sheets/VSSilver_Split.pdf

I have an internal white paper on Aethra in Distance Ed I can send you if you send me a private message.

[ChuckF]

VTCTalker - let me elaborate more on my VSX recommendation. As pziele mentioned, the iPower 600's are discontinued, but with the last s/w release (v6.2) you will be able to extend their useful longevity and still regain some more ROI. V6.2 gives them H.264. The compatibility with the MGC100 is retained, because it supports both People + Content, and the standard version of this - H.239 (with release 7.0). This is also true for the VSX. It supports P+C and H.239. Again, think synergy since same manufacturer.

Should you introduce another manufacturers codec at this time, you will probably lose the P+C features you are used to on the iPowers. If you really want to introduce a different manufacturers codec, then I would recommend that you will be better off replacing the 24 iPowers as well.

If you were ever thinking of adding a management suite - like GMS or PCS, then using the same manufacturer's product would also be beneficial.

Email or PM me if you would like more information.

[VTCTalker]

Yes. I will need a Gatekeeper and a management platform.
I have read over Polycom, Tandberg, Aethra, VCON, SONY, and even the 2 Chinese brands: ZTE and Huawei.
They seem to me that only few of them can meet my requirements of a complete solution with the support to the existing 24 iPowers.

I think i have to upgrade my MGCs to support IP, add a gatekeeper, a management package, and the IP codecs.

The codecs is my headache now as there are so many out there. I am thinking of Aethra VegaStar, SONY PCS1, TB 990MXP, and Polycom 7000/ EX.

My concernings are:
- Can I manage all the endpoints with 1 management package?
- Can I keep the same features (eg: People+Content) with brands other than Polycom? Or I am tied with Polycom?

I hate the way the Polycom sell 1 XGA cable at $800, and force me to use their VSX7000 Subwoofer which I don't need :((

What's your comments?

[mazzarak]

I may be wrong on this, but I think that the concept of "People and Content" (a Polycom phrase) is being ushered out and being replaced with H239, the dual streaming interoperable standard. So in theory, provided your MCU is H239 capable (which it may be, it depends on the hardware and so on), so long as you buy a H239 capable codec, you're laughing. Though I have seen trails about H239 issues. I think that's a separate conversation. I think a lot of DL users on here would swear by Tandberg, as it's rock solid, but as said before if you can use your current position with Polycom suppliers to get a better deal, then that can work in your favour too.

[pzielie]

If you need to upgrade your MCU to support IP, you may be finacially better off with a Codian MCU. It may be time to get out a spreadsheet and look at what your cost benifits are. How many ports do you have on your MCUs and how many will you need?

Also you have to think about network topology. The IP MCU needs to be placed on your backbone and with some topologies several small MCUs make more sense than 1 large MCU.

What features do you need to be compatible with the iPowers?

[trapehzoid]

if you want to keep your people+content functionality.. you are stuck with Polycom. No one else will support that anymore.. and since the iPowers will never do anything but people+content your choice is pretty simple if that's the functionality you want.

However, that being said, your choice isn't that straight forward because even tho the MGC can do P+C I don't think it can do it with mixed endpoints in the call. Which means.. you must continue to buy endpoints that are capable of People+Content.. not the standards based H.239.

Welcome to Vendor lock


Or cost analyze buying a cheaper bridge that is standards based and replacing your ipowers.

[vtjoe]

It looks like all good advice above. Find out if the Polycom bridge can transcode from People+Content to H.239. If it, can't you are stuck with the Polycom VSX.

If it can, you should look at Aethra, Sony and Tandberg. Since you are buying 60, get TWO demo units of each model and test it with your systems. With $600,000 dollars in the balance, you should take some time to evaluate the four top players.

I recommend the Tandberg 770 MXP over the VSX - they are more powerful than the Polycom VSX by far. The Tandberg 770 MXP codec and NPP option will be under $8000 with 1 year maintenance. I don't have recent experience with the Sony and Aethra, but you will love the Tandberg. Tandberg does the best job with the second video channel out of Polycom and Aethra (Both products limit the framerate on the second channel in certain situations).