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Microsoft Talks Up Voice Codec at VoiceCon(Wireless News Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) At the VoiceCon San Francisco 2007 Conference, Microsoft this week outlined how its software-based approach to voice communications is creating new benefits for partners and customers and gaining industry recognition in unified communications. Microsoft said that Intel, Texas Instruments, AudioCodes, Dialogic, LG-Nortel and Polycom will license the company's voice codec software, RT Audio Codec, which has been shown to deliver superior sound quality, according to Psytechnics, a company specializing in voice and video quality monitoring. Used to compress digital speech samples into a digital media bitstream, RT Audio Codec provides partners with the flexibility to build customized solutions for customers. By converting analog sound into secure digital packets for transmission and then restoring the data into audible sound, RT Audio Codec can be used in an array of solutions, such as audio conferencing, video, wireless over Internet Protocol and games. For example, Intel plans to deliver the codec in an upcoming Intel Integrated Performance Primitives (IPP) software library release optimized for the PC platform to further accelerate industry adoption and reduce implementation barriers. Information on how the other companies will use the technology is in the attached quote sheet. "As we approach the general availability of our unified communications products, we're seeing tremendous validation for our offerings from industry players and early adopters alike," said Gurdeep Singh Pall, corporate vice president in the Unified Communications Group at Microsoft. "Customers have downloaded 80,000 copies of our beta for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 in just five months. A new era of business communication is upon us, defined by software, not hardware -- and sound quality will be one of the key product differentiators." Microsoft also announced the Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Quality of Experience Monitoring Server, a tool to monitor voice and video quality. IT administrators can use the server to troubleshoot voice and video performance issues, enabling them to effectively implement and manage solutions that provide superior audio quality. The server provides real-time updates, alerts and detailed analysis of network performance to accurately reflect users' experience based on the endpoint they're using. As a result, administrators can proactively address problematic issues that may arise while monitoring voice and video quality anywhere and anytime, without needing expensive network management solutions. Noted Doug Davis, Vice President, Digital Enterprise Group, General Manager, Embedded and Communications Group, Intel: "Intel and Microsoft are working closely together to make truly unified communications a reality. Microsoft's innovative software, powered by Intel's multi-core client and server platforms and media infrastructure technologies, delivers an outstanding user experience with enhanced security and reliability. Combining 'better than phone' RT Audio Codec, excellent video quality and familiar Microsoft Office integration for increased productivity, this solution provides compelling business value for enterprises of all sizes." ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) ((Distributed on behalf of 10Meters via M2 Communications Ltd - http://www.m2.com)) ((10Meters - http://www.10meters.com)) Copyright 2007 Wireless News |