What model to prefer SONY/Tandberg/Polycom

[knickull]

Hi,

We are concidering adding one codec to our organization, and have limited amount of money to spend. Therefore Tandberg seems too prizy although new series could be interesting...

The choices arebetween Sony DCS-1P and Polycom VSX-7000, 7400.. Has anybody something to say for or against these models? How compatible is Sony with the others? Does shared (X)VGA work with polyspans and tandberg? I have understood that the sony remote is difficult to like but isn´t it possible to operate 1P through WEB page?

[MACC the AVCOtek]

The Sony is mostly interoperable with everybody else, with a few exceptions. I've seen them have difficulty connecting to older Polycoms with software that is not current.

You are also correct that the remote is...well, let's just say it could use improvement. My gripe with the remote is the 'Enter' or 'Ok' button is right in the middle of the navigation buttons (they're all on the same physical button) and if you don't press exactly center, you've navigated away from what you were trying to 'Ok'. Also the Mute button is too small and should be a different color (or at least have different color ink).

As for video quality, Sony is pretty good. I've also been impressed with IP packet recovery. Often I'll see the Packet Loss message appear on screen and were it not for that message I never would have known.

If you're considering getting the Data Solutions Box to send data through your conferences, you might want to be aware that there is no audio input just VGA.

Overall, I'd say the PCS-1 is worth seriously considering.

[bdldunworthy]

Hey Knickill,

What are your specific plans for this codec and what possible additions do you want to make in the future?

l8r
Robert

[senthil]

Say your specific plans such like speed need in IP and ISDN.

Some more details to choose

1.Dialing speed need in IP and ISDN
2.Multipoint conferencing features
3.Video and Audio input, output features
4.Content sharing features(like in polycom software based P+C you can send only the content not video stream)

Senthil

[knickull]

Hi everybody, thanks for your information..
We need only IP, ISDN when seldom used goes through an old Radvision GW.
I think video - audio in/out connectors in the sony codec should meet our needs, although I miss an XLR connector for microphone and VGA option is very bulky when not integrated...

Dual video we use with tandberg codecs, and sometimes loaded ppt presentations in polyspan SP and 384. Are theese compatible with sony?
What is Sonys update policy for new software?
Polycom or Tandberg style?
We need the MCU option, what is your opinion of it? Does the sony have any "bad habits" like polyspans restarts ever now and then?

[knickull]

Have anybody knowledge of sonys possibilities for HD picture quality in the future, through update or new product line?

[MACC the AVCOtek]

We need the MCU option, what is your opinion of it?
Sony does have MCU options; one each for IP and ISDN. You have to buy them separately. The MCU works well.

What is Sonys update policy for new software?
For now, Sony software upgrades are free of charge.

Dual video we use with tandberg codecs, and sometimes loaded ppt presentations in polyspan SP and 384. Are theese compatible with sony?
To get a computer signal into your Sony, you'll need the Data Solutions Box (another option) which is similar to the Visual concert, but with two inputs. The DSB also has mic inputs which is convenient since you have to have the DSB on the table anyway, you might as well plug your mics in there instead of running the mic cable across the floor to the codec.
Sony does support dual video too. And H.239.
And, of course, the Sony has memory stick. I don't recall whether you can load a ppt on a memory stick and access it from the codec.

Have anybody knowledge of sonys possibilities for HD picture quality in the future, through update or new product line?
I haven't heard anything about this but that doesn't mean much.... :)