Tandberg Or Polycom

[Tallman2]

Hey All
I just wanted to get some opinons as to what platform you all perfer Tandberg or Polycom.
I would like to know Key Pro's and Con's for the platform you perfer
I have been Polycom certified for the last 10 years, and have had some Tandberg training. The company I work for is going to replace there units and I do not want to jump on the Polycom "band wagon" with out getting a little more input on Tandberg.
It also seems that most of you here are using Tandberg, If you recommend Tandberg, which model #? this would be for large venue, multipoint video, ISDN and I.P. capable.

Thanks for all your input. :happy:

[NoVA-JC]

Tallman2,

If you haven't gone to Tandberg's website, I would highly recommend you do so. Read up on the products and their capabilities - heck you can even give them a call and ask to speak with a sales engineer for pre-sales advice.

I have used both Polycom & Tandberg in many designs, but what really drives my recommendations, is the needs of the user. Polycom appears to be slightly less costly at first, but in my opinion that's subjective... Once you start adding the "options" that bring the unit up to the same level as a basic Tandberg system, you find out that you are at about the same price - if not slightly higher.

If you talk to either manufacturer, they'll both lay claims to being "first" to develop different technologies so take that at face value. Your best bet is to read up on the product line and get some demos lined up for you to see the product(s) in person, and how they work.

Good luck!

[Tallman2]

Hello
Thank you, I have seen both units and agree with you.. I was just looking for someone who has both in use. The tech aspects are one thing I am more looking into the easy of use for everday user, set up,dependability, quality.
As I said before I used and installed Polycom alot but just looking at Tandberg which none of my customer use were I'm at.

Thank you again..

[NoVA-JC]

I use both - however, if I have my choice I prefer to use Tandberg.

While Polycom's interface is perfectly suited for the "average" user (it has all those cute icons and fancy colors... woo hoo) I don't think that their systems are as robust nor as easy to use. Have you ever tried connecting a PC to a ViewStation?

While Tandberg may not have the "wow" factor in the interface, the reliability and plain ease of use overall makes it a sure fit for anyone. With a little practice, anyone can learn how to effectively navigate through the Tandberg interface.

IMHO!

:silly:

[cedi]

If there is a bigger deployment in question... you should consider management application which can help you a lot with administering.

Scheduling of calls for unexperienced users might be important.

And, at the end of the day... MCU might be the core of the VC deployment. Tandberg Codian 45xx or 42xx are unmatched in IP. But since there is ISDN involved too, ISDN gateway should be used. As all can be integrated... this shouldn't make some real problems (I suppose).
Well, others can comment integration of ISDN gateway with Codian MCU. I have no real experience with that.

Do not compare just boxes with each other..., make sure you compare the total solution (Tandberg vs. Polycom) in the way you will use it. Or maybe the vendor can propose a better (easier) way of using/managing the whole system.


BR,
Cedi

[wareagle1980]

We use both vendors and they are both extremely competitive. I do think Polycom has the edge in HD right now.

[Snowbum]

Polycom has an edge in the HD world right now. Tandbergs "fleet" of endpoints are aging and it will probably only be a matter of time before new products hit the market. Tandberg is promoting and giving away software and hardware on their aging fleet which means that moving the old to make room for the new could be on the horizon soon.

Both Polycom and Tandberg have good endpoints today, with Polycom leading in the world of HD.

[nomansaeed]

Cedi .. wil you plz clarify your comments <Tandberg Codian 45xx or 42xx are unmatched in IP>
really thanks . Noman Saeed


If there is a bigger deployment in question... you should consider management application which can help you a lot with administering.

Scheduling of calls for unexperienced users might be important.

And, at the end of the day... MCU might be the core of the VC deployment. Tandberg Codian 45xx or 42xx are unmatched in IP. But since there is ISDN involved too, ISDN gateway should be used. As all can be integrated... this shouldn't make some real problems (I suppose).
Well, others can comment integration of ISDN gateway with Codian MCU. I have no real experience with that.

Do not compare just boxes with each other..., make sure you compare the total solution (Tandberg vs. Polycom) in the way you will use it. Or maybe the vendor can propose a better (easier) way of using/managing the whole system.


BR,
Cedi

[nomansaeed]

We Are using Tandberg MXP-990, 6000, MPS 200 with TMS.
We have not any problem with theses systems since deployments, however we are now looking for more equipment. Like.
Tandberg Edge 95, Codian 45xx, MSE 8000, Content Server etc
Polycom HDX series, MGC 100, RSS etc.

In my personal opinion <forget about the cost>, literature give
1st place to Polycom,
2 to LifeSize and
3 to Tandberg for HD CODECS.

I am not sure about it however i feel it true.

I need your suggestion specially for those who are using both platforms to specify the main points for selection the MCU, CODECS, Streaming servers.

send me your comments to <noman@iamgood.in> or post here..

Awaiting .

[Burt.Kloppers]

I use both - however, if I have my choice I prefer to use Tandberg.

While Polycom's interface is perfectly suited for the "average" user (it has all those cute icons and fancy colors... woo hoo) I don't think that their systems are as robust nor as easy to use. Have you ever tried connecting a PC to a ViewStation?

While Tandberg may not have the "wow" factor in the interface, the reliability and plain ease of use overall makes it a sure fit for anyone. With a little practice, anyone can learn how to effectively navigate through the Tandberg interface.

IMHO!

:silly:

Just want to let you know that Polycom has released newer models than the Viewstasion almost 5years ago, called the VSX and not so long ago the HDX, so talking about how difficult it is to use a product it is always fair to talk about the latest model of any product and not compare end of sale products.

[Sean Lessman]

...so talking about how difficult it is to use a product it is always fair to talk about the latest model of any product and not compare end of sale products.

When Polycom is still getting close to 70% of its endpoint revenues from the VSX product line, I think it is far from 'end of sale'.

Sean

[Burt.Kloppers]

When Polycom is still getting close to 70% of its endpoint revenues from the VSX product line, I think it is far from 'end of sale'.

Sean

Hi Sean,

My wording might have been wrong as I was talking of the Viewstation series that is end of sale, If you read the persons comment I quoted, you will see that he compared the Tandberg to the Polycom Viewstation end of sale range. I wanted to point out that that you have to compare apples with apples.

My Bad
:thumbup:

[Sean Lessman]

...Polycom Viewstation end of sale range...

Gotcha :) I think I misunderstood your post. I was also trying to make a point that even though the HDX has been out for 18 months, the platform still represents much less than half of the revenue of the endpoints sales for Polycom -- even though the HDX is substantially more expensive. The VSX is still very much alive and well.

Sean

[GTC]

Well, if I was looking at HD solutions for today/tomorrows communications then I would look more towards Hawai and Sony as they have 1080 capable systems, from what I see not only is 1080 available but aso 720P is available with many more functionality and capacity (including all SD modes) than the older Polycom and Tandberg systems. OK, these systems are "main stream" but what is the value in buying a product that does not and cannot move forward with consumer demands?
Neither Polycom or Tandberg from what I see can progress from 720 without not just charegable software but also a harware swapot (regardless of what they say). Just look at their camera specs for example..........

[Burt.Kloppers]

Well, if I was looking at HD solutions for today/tomorrows communications then I would look more towards Hawai and Sony as they have 1080 capable systems..........


This is a very interesting post, I would like to look more into the functionality of the two makes that you have mentioned, can you please provide me with more details for example the models of the systems that you are referring to.

[Sean Lessman]

...I would look more towards Hawai and Sony as they have 1080 capable systems...

Do you have a link to the 1080 system from Huawei? All I can see is this one (http://www.huawei.com/mmweb/en/solutions/view.do?id=93&pageId=93_0). They are notorious for claiming high definition is 4CIF.

Huawei videoconferencing system solution supports H.239 dual stream and H.235 encryption protocol. It supports high definition motion image of dynamic 4CIF, 50/60 field progressive scan technique, independent processing technique of audio inputs channel and high resolution SVGA (1280*1024) inputs/outputs

Huawei high definition system can support 4CIF motion image format and 704*576 video resolutions. Obviously, the resolution of Huawei high definition system is four times of that of the general CIF format in breed...

It can provide the following functions:

- 4CIF videoconferencing application
- H.264 videoconferencing application
- Telephone conference application
- Streaming application
- Data collaboration

As for the Sony, I am perplexed as to why they chose to support interlaced 1080 (1080i) instead of progressive. All the cameras and monitors out there are progressive so now they have to do a lot of unnecessary scaling. As for the quality (I know the what the brochure says) I would like to take a first hand look to get a feel for any improvement over 720p.

Even in the world of DVDs and broadcast there is very little difference between 1080 and 720 unless you have very large screens or are sitting very close to the screen (3-5 feet).

Lastly, remember that 1080p is going to take at least 2 times the bandwidth of 720p and today 720p really requires at least 2Mbps before it begins to really look great, so this means 1080p is probably going to be 3-5Mbps per call/per stream (H.239 is also its own stream).

Sean

[leon huang]

Do you have a link to the 1080 system from Huawei? All I can see is this one (http://www.huawei.com/mmweb/en/solutions/view.do?id=93&pageId=93_0). They are notorious for claiming high definition is 4CIF.



They really proceed out some HD codecs named 9033,,9036,9039 and HD MCUS 8650,8660 in recent.The systems seems like BIG MIC in capability.
I have not test them,but it did strick the martket espeasially in China.TANDBERG now face on a problem:EDGE serials or 3000MXP can not fits two HD streaming output but POLYCOM HDX 8000&7000 also HUAWEI 90XX.Normally the latter is more cheaper that depress the TANDBERG group in China.
The compare above is on the same level and only focused on the HD capability or you can say interface not the total solution.
Anyway,tips on HUAWEI will be appreciated.

[leon huang]

Here is some HUAWEI-self claimed info:
8650:
256*2M,64*8M,H.323,720P,1080P,
9039:
1*DVI+2SDI video input.3*SDI cideo output,support 3 displayer,AAC-LD,h.239,720P,1080P PAL25fps

seems fits the requirment in low HD consumers market

[Burt.Kloppers]

Lastly, remember that 1080p is going to take at least 2 times the bandwidth of 720p and today 720p really requires at least 2Mbps before it begins to really look great, so this means 1080p is probably going to be 3-5Mbps per call/per stream (H.239 is also its own stream).

Sean

A very good example of a 1080p system is the Proprietary Cisco Tele Presence system, it needs exactly the specks as Sean explained.

[leprechaun]

Why not LifeSize?

[GTC]

[QUOTE=Sean Lessman]Do you have a link to the 1080 system from Huawei?
As for the Sony, I am perplexed as to why they chose to support interlaced 1080 (1080i) instead of progressive. All the cameras and monitors out there are progressive so now they have to do a lot of unnecessary scaling.


Sean,

So you are saying that the Tandberg and Polycom camera can capture 1080p?????
I understand that codec processors may (in the future) cope with 1080i or p but what is the point if the camera max is 720p...............
It appears that you'll have to look at Huawei web and spec sheet (Sound familiar to TB customers looking for TB specs)?
As for what I know about 1080i or 1080p is that the need for a product do do this mode is customer driven (not technically achievable or better image, in reality). I personally agree that 720p is good enough for 99% of customers needs (not real HD but again the customer has decided 720p is HD quality, that is another subject altogether) but to achieve and provide the best quality (which is again customer driven) 1080 is required. To achieve 1080i which is the Sony choice they are giving the customer what they want, that is 1080 at bandwidth that can be afforded within a large organisation, as for 1080p, this will techically require twice the bandwidth than 1080i, which is not affordable for any LAN/WAN. Also the given fact is that the majority of displays commonly available are STILL only 1080i, 1080p are only the really very latest "consumer" or "professional" screens which most global install base do not have ready installed. The spec of the Sony camera is actually able to cope with up to 1080p, so future proof I think is available natively without big major change, of course once the customer demand and bandwidth is ready.

[Sean Lessman]

Sean,

So you are saying that the Tandberg and Polycom camera can capture 1080p?????

Did I say that?

It appears that you'll have to look at Huawei web and spec sheet (Sound familiar to TB customers looking for TB specs)?

It appears you have some pretty negative tones towards TANDBERG. Hope we haven't done anything to upset you.

I personally agree that 720p is good enough for 99% of customers needs (not real HD but again the customer has decided 720p is HD quality, that is another subject altogether)...

720p is absolutely 'real HD'. Don't listen to the marketing hype from the monitor manufacturers where they are claiming 1080p is real HD. Both 720p and 1080p are described within the HD standard.


...majority of displays commonly available are STILL only 1080i

This is simply untrue. 1080p services are lacking, but the monitors are plentiful.

The spec of the Sony camera is actually able to cope with up to 1080p

You sure about that? Testing of their current cameras show resolutions of 1440x1080, not 1920x1080.

Sean

[GTC]

Did I hit a nearve here with you Sean on this post?

No negative or upset to me from TB, just putting my point over, which is what this site is all about. Funny that, did you know that VTCTalk is not actually a TB only promotion site......... :banana:
If you refer back to my post you'll see that I am not only refering to TB but also PLCM with the limiting camera specs, which DO limit the products for future move towards 1080..........i or p mode via SW only upgrade!
Specs for XG80 and EVIHD1 camera are actually able to capture upto 1080p, for furture proofing.

I disagree totally about the main stream existing screens being able to cope with 1080p, the existing installed base is 1080i for sure in most of Europe, could be different if you are within USA...........
However, todays new screens are nearly all 1080p, so new installs could make use of 1080p if content is available, this is another reason as I understand for Sony choosing 1080i, this is the standard defacto for all HD broadcasters that I am aware of.