Polycoms ViewStation SP is their latest product in the video conferencing arena
supporting voice and video over an ISDN network, as well as over IP (with their latest
H.323 software, which we had a beta copy of). Essentially, the ViewStation SP is a
self-contained system, including a mobile camera, one of Polycoms advanced
echo-cancellation microphones, and a built-in Web server for management via a browser
hence dispensing with the need for a PC. Since it is self-contained with no hard
disk (flash memory is used), the hassles of hard disk failures, operating system crashes,
and the like are nonexistent. ViewStation may also function as a standalone speakerphone,
or as a standalone presentation system for viewing PowerPoint slides.
INSTALLATION
When we opened the box and took out the ViewStation system, we noticed two packages, each
with a large bundle of cords. One package was labeled required, while the
other was optional. The optional cable setup was for attaching a second
monitor, as well as a VCR.
In any case, we connected the required cables, which were color-coded so as to
correspond with the color-coded inputs on the camera assemblys back panel. Once we
had attached the cables to the ViewStation, we looked at where they needed to go. We
hooked up the monitor and placed the ViewStation SP on top of the TV monitor. Next, we
connected the microphone pod to the back of the ViewStation, and attached an RJ-45 network
wire from a network hub to the Polycom device. Finally, we plugged in the ISDN cord from
the back of the ViewStation to a port on our Teltone Simulator.
With all the cabling out of the way, we started configuring ViewStation. Fortunately,
like past ViewStations we have examined, the ViewStation SP has an auto-ISDN feature that
automatically sets the SPIDs and switch type for quick installation. In addition,
ViewStation can act as a DHCP client or as a DHCP server for automatic IP address
allocation. We chose the DHCP client, since our LAN already has a DHCP server, and the SP
was automatically assigned an IP address of 192.0.0.211.
We turned on the ViewStation for the first time, and it took us through a mini-tutorial
since it knew it was our first time. For example, it asked us to supply the name
for the station, as well as the BRI and SPID numbers for the ISDN lines going into the
machine. Also, we were offered the option of inputting the phone numbers for any analog
phones we might have plugged into the ViewStation. After entering all the necessary
information, we were brought to the main screen for dialing and receiving video
conferencing calls. Except for the first-time setup tutorial, this main screen will always
be the first screen you view when you first turn on the system.
DOCUMENTATION
This product came with two pieces of documentation, which included a Quick Start Guide and
the Users Guide. The Quick Start Guide essentially aided us in connecting the cords
to the Polycom SP. The Users Guide was very good, but at first glance, we were a bit
intimidated by how thick it was. We thought to ourselves, How complicated could a
video conferencing product be that the manual is practically two inches thick?
Our fears were quickly allayed when we realized that the manual contained multiple
languages, which was why it was so thick. The English version was actually only 100 pages
thick, and very well organized. This guide not only dealt with the system setup, but it
also touched upon call setup, audio and video controls, slides and graphics, and included
tips for troubleshooting, as well as screenshots galore for aiding novice users. A portion
of the guide was also devoted to the setup and diagnostic screens and the maintenance and
troubleshooting of the system.
There were some shortcomings, however. For instance, the documentation to get
NetMeeting to work with the ViewStation SP seemed so simple, but we werent able to
get the two to work together before deadline. Also, although the index was fairly
complete, there were some key words missing, such as NetMeeting. Overall
though, we were quite pleased with the printed documentation.
In a similar product from Polycom that we tested the PolyCom 128 we
werent impressed by the onscreen help. Likewise, in the ViewStation SP, which has
essentially the same graphical user interface as the 128, we found the online help not
nearly detailed enough to provide the sort of aid a user in a conference call would
actually require. For example, pressing the Info button on the remote control brought up a
help screen that displayed only the most basic information. It did little more than
describe how to navigate around the screen by pressing the direction buttons and using the
enter button to select an item.
FEATURES
- H.320- and H.323-ready;
- Video: H.261, H.263, Annex F,L,T;
- Video Resolution: FCIF 352 x 288 pixels, QCIF 176 x 144 pixels;
- Frame Rate: 15 fps at 128 Kbps;
- Audio: G.728, G.722, G.711 codecs;
- Full-duplex digital audio with echo cancellation and automatic noise suppression;
- Surround digital microphone pod;
- Ethernet and TCP/IP support;
- T.120 interface with ShowStation IP and WebStation;
- Streaming JPEG snapshots of PowerPoint slides to a Web browser;
- Near and far site video monitoring;
- Auto-SPID detection; and
- Voice-tracking camera.
OPERATIONAL TESTING
Access to the ViewStation SP is performed via a Web browser, which enables remote
system management and diagnostics, software upgrades, and presentations over a network.
Web management capabilities include call monitoring, network statistics, call launching,
system diagnostics, and address book management. These functions can be performed remotely
through a password-protected entrance from either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape
Navigator. As previously mentioned in the Installation section, we were able to configure
all of the necessary settings to get the SP up and running via a browser interface.
For one of our first tests, we wanted to test how the PolyCom SP worked in conjunction
with Microsoft PowerPoint. Essentially, Microsoft Powerpoint slides can be sent to the
ViewStation SP via the Web from a locally-attached PC, or one or more remote PCs, for
display during a video conference. We tested this capability and found it to be quite
powerful, but not without some glitches.
Basically, the PowerPoint slides are downloaded to the Polycom SPs flash memory.
This is done from a PC somewhere on the same network as the SP. By clicking on the Web
button Select a Presentation from the PCs browser, an
application is installed on the PC (ActiveX), at which point you can browse your hard
drives folders for the PowerPoint file you wish to view. The application then
converts the PowerPoint slides to JPEG format (compressed graphics format), and sends the
JPEGs to the Viewstation SPs specified IP address. One of the glitches we
encountered was that our 21-slide presentation was in the process of downloading to the
Viewstation SP when the downloading application crashed. We tried the same PowerPoint
presentation again after rebooting the PC, but to no avail.
Next, we decided to choose a different PowerPoint presentation, and this time it
downloaded fine. After the download was complete, we could press the Slides
button on the Polycom remote control and view the PowerPoint presentation on the
television hooked up to the Polycom SP. Navigating through the slides was very easy.
Simply pressing the left or right arrows on the infrared remote control changed the slide
being viewed on screen. We could also view all of the slides by changing to a thumbnail
view, which was quite convenient. We should also point out that any number of participants
can view the slide presentation simply by pointing their Web browser to the IP address of
the Viewstation SP and then clicking on the View Slide Presentation button.
Another glitch we encountered after a PowerPoint presentation failed to download
completely was that the PolyCom SP Web server stopped responding to HTTP requests. We
needed to turn the SP off and then on in order for the device to start responding again.
Fortunately, unlike a PC, the SP comes back online very quickly, which certainly is an
advantage to competing products which run on a PC.
We should point out that it is possible that these glitches are due to the beta
software we installed on the ViewStation SP. Essentially, we downloaded and installed a
newer version of the software, which contained H.323 support to allow NetMeeting to be
able to call the ViewStation SP, as well as gatekeeper support. Unfortunately, we were
unable to get this feature to work. We contacted the beta technical support group, but
they were unable to get back to us in a timely manner to resolve the issue.
Video Quality
Since TMC Labs recently moved to a larger facility, we havent gotten our ISDN
lines installed yet. At first, we were hesitant to install ISDN lines since ISDN service
in Connecticut is quite expensive. Instead, we often use Teltone ISDN simulators, which
can do the job just as well. However, using an ISDN simulator often requires that vendors
send two of their products in order to test them over the simulated line. On the other
hand, if we use live ISDN lines, vendors need only send one product, since we
can make video phone calls over the ISDN line to the vendors test labs.
Even with the emergence of other technologies, such as DSL and cable modems, ISDN seems
to be sticking around, so TMC Labs has ordered ISDN lines for future testing purposes.
However, since they are not installed as of yet, we tested the quality of
ViewStations video that would be sent over ISDN by using the near-end loopback
function in the diagnostics section of the ViewStation. In comparison with the direct,
uncompressed video straight from the camera, the video we saw through the loopback
function was a bit aliased (blocky) due to the compression algorithms, but this was to be
expected with a 128 Kbps bandwidth pipe. Also, we should point out that the frame rate was
very good.
Audio Quality
We were very pleased with the performance of the microphone and the audio
capabilities of the system. Polycom is well known for producing audio devices specially
designed for the conference room. Certainly, the microphone supplied with the ViewStation
was top-notch, supporting echo cancellation and noise suppression.
Voice-Tracking Capabilities
In our voice-tracking tests, we had two people in the conference room. When one person
stopped speaking and the other person started speaking, the camera moved to target in on
the new sound source. However, the systems voice tracking didnt do so well
when it had to follow more subtle movements, such as those of a speaker walking around the
room. The camera did not slowly pan over as the speaker moved. Instead, it hesitated until
the speaker was completely out of view, at which point it would quickly move to bring the
speaker to center view. We would like to suggest that Polycom add face-tracking
capabilities to this product line, which, due to our past experiences with video
conferencing products, we find to be more accurate than voice-tracking systems.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
The remote control currently requires a direct line of sight with the ViewStation SP.
Although you can be several degrees to the left or right of the ViewStation SP, you still
need to lift your arm and point the remote control in the general direction of the SP.
Wed like to see a remote control that uses scattered infrared
technology, or perhaps one that uses radio frequencies instead. As previously mentioned,
face-tracking capabilities would be a nice addition to the feature-set. Finally, we would
like to see more stable support for PowerPoint presentations, particularly ones with
complex graphics, which may require more flash memory in the SP or a better
PowerPoint-to-JPEG converter.
CONCLUSION
This product is perfect for the conference room due to its simplicity and ease of use.
Non-technical users will learn how to use this system very quickly. Administrators will
love the Web-based interface for managing the system. Overall, TMC Labs was very pleased
both with the performance and the feature-set of the Polycom SP. |