Polycom VSX 5000 Video Conference Device

I'm working on a video conferencing project for a client that does work in India. We wanted to set up a video link between the USA and India that would allow weekly status meetings and to help build relationships between staff in both countries. After looking at various solutions from PCs with Webcams to very high end systems, we ended up picking up some used Polycom VSX 5000 Video Conference devices (1 for each end) and hooking them up to a 40" Samsung 720p LCD TV in the USA and a 22" Samsung LCD monitor in India.

The TV/Monitors were purchased at local retail stores and the Polycom's were picked up on eBay for less than half the cost of new. They arrived in excellent condition and as described. The remotes even had batteries.

First, with respect to the Samsung monitors, I've really liked the Samsung LCD TVs and have one at home. I like the features, the quality, and the reliability of the units I've bought. I really like the way the Samsung is set up and have been very happy with the unit. The staff in India seems pleased with the wide screen monitor (we went with the smaller screen there for several reasons, but mostly because electronics are so expensive there that this was the best use of the money).

I found the VSX 5000's very easy to setup. In a few minutes I was able to get the two units to talk over the LAN as was very pleased with the quality of the picture and sound. The best speed for the 5000's is 768kbs, but at that speed, it was practically like being in the same room.

The next test was to move one of the units to a direct connection on the internet and test performance thru the routers and switches on our internet connection and out on to the internet and back thru our backup internet connection. We have a T1 connection from US Signal and a backup internet connection from AT&T. A traceroute showed we were heading out thru US Signal, out to the backbone, into Chicago, then back to the AT&T connection.

Test calls at 768 and 384 gave us fantastic results, better than expected. The voice lag was less than you might expect from a cell call.

After some configuration testing and some additional setup, we had to ship the 2nd unit to India for the final test. We were extremely pleased with the final test as our experience was nearly as good as testing via our local connection. The picture was clear and you could easily make out individuals that were part of the test conference. Sound was great and you could even hear one of the participants softly jingling their keys. The VSX 5000 comes with an external microphone that was set in the center of the conference table. It picked up all of the participants and came thru crystal clear.

Some of the outstanding features of the VSX 5000, besides the great video and sound during a 384kbs call are:

• Easy setup
• Web interface
• Flexibility to handle different configurations including NAT, VPN, etc.
• Functions are expandable by purchasing unlock codes for special software features
• Supports SIP or H.323 calls (not with the same configuration; you have to configure and reboot)
• Can be configured for remote control of the digital pan/tilt/zoom so that remotes can move the camera to whomever is talking
• Supports multiple video inputs and outputs
• Great results

Some of the negatives are:

• Firmware updates are difficult to get and require purchase
• Polycom likes to support you thru 3rd parties and they only like to support you if you bought from them
• Difficult to get a multi-point setup going as you'll need a lot more equipment