Comparative between videocodecs

[videoconsulta]

Hello community,

Do you know any serious and without predujice article or whitepaper in wich compare videocodecs of different branchs?

Thanks in advance

[videojunkie1208]

No. Unfortunately, there are not really any really good unbiased third party comparisons, and the few that exist, you have to read carefully to make sure that the reviewers are comparing apples to apples. (e.g. the whitepaper that compared the HDX to the MXP - in this case they were comparing a 2-3year old Codec (MXP) with a brand new just released codec (HDX))

Three things that I find that actually weigh into the decision making process:

Budget
Preconceptions (Existing/ previous Infrastructure/ endpoints)
Integrator / sales exposure

Budget: somethings cost money... VTC can cost a LOT of money. but you have to know the tech to actually make sure that the prices you are comparing really are apples to apples...

Preconceptions: Good or bad experiences with one manufacturer over another. etc....

Exposure: Which manufacturer "sells" their equipment better to meet your needs...

This isn't the way these decisions are supposed to be made, but it is the way it is...

<<edited per Sean's Comment - Thanks...>>

[Sean Lessman]

...compared the HDX to the MPS - in this case they were comparing a 2-3year old Codec (MPS) with a brand new just released codec (HDX)) ...

MXP :)

MPS is the MCU.

Sean

[Sean Lessman]

My $0.02 is it is not enough to compare components as you will not use just components in the real word. You may find that you compare endpoint to endpoint, then mcu to mcu, then management system to management system etc -- then you buy all the boxes. Then you deploy all of the boxes and find that when you put the whole solution together it doesn't do what you thought it would.

It is tough to do, but the ideal way to compare would be solution vs solution. Find out what components you need (keep it generic, forget manufacturer names) and draw out your solution. Then fill in manufacturer names per box and make sure the solution works for you. It would be shame, for instance, that you buy brand X management system because it is the best management program on the market and then decide to buy and endpoint it doesn't manage.

Sean

[videoconsulta]

Tahnk you Sean,

The problem is when you need to justify the project, in some cases the money is the first think that determine the buy.

Doyou know any script or guide to evaluate VC?

[Sean Lessman]

Tahnk you Sean,

The problem is when you need to justify the project, in some cases the money is the first think that determine the buy.

Doyou know any script or guide to evaluate VC?

Unfortunately no. Every writeup available is biased...even those from 'independent' analysts. At the end of the day these reports are funded by someone.

I know how I would do it, but I work for TANDBERG and I am sure I would have biases.

Sean

[videojunkie1208]

I would approach this problem from this direction:

Determine EXACTLY what you want to do... how many endpoints, what types of conferencing / legacy support, future expansion, etc...

Take a look at solutions for your exact scenario from the major players (PLCM and Tandberg) and evaluate them...

Go to a couple of trade shows (e.g. infocomm, FOSE, etc..) contact Tandberg and Polycom and go tour their facilities (or local vendors who have live setups, or will bring an on site demo)

Buy the best solution for your scenario.