Polycom's ViewStation FX is a video-conference solution that mainly uses ISDN
connections to link two or more meeting rooms together.
This is just its most basic implementation, though - it has the flexibility
to offer more functionality including multiple cameras, IP and V.35 connections
and showing PowerPoint slides from PCs.
Initial setup seems daunting, but it's actually quite straightforward.
The problem comes from the large number of supplied cables and boxes, as well
as the different connectors on the back of the unit. However, the point to
remember is that only a few are required for the basic setup.
With a combination of the QuickStart card showing how to make those
connections and the fact that everything is colour-coded, it's not too
difficult.
Similar things can be said of the software. For non-technical staff, it might
take some time to get to grips with all the functions and the ISDN setup, but
once installed, basic operation is easily handled.
Everything can be done through the 30-button remote control. Onscreen
instructions and selection icons provide prompts for what to do.
You'll need to be familiar with manual call placement, the address book,
buttons on the remote control and how to adjust the camera and volume.
The manual comes in PDF format on CD-Rom, so make a printout or have a PC
available before setup and have your ISDN numbers handy.
The ViewStation sits on top of your TV monitor - Velcro is supplied to secure
it in place. We've reviewed the top-of-the range FX, but all models have the
same body shell and share the same camera, although they've just changed to a
wider-angle Sony EVI-10 unit that looks sleeker.
Image definition and focal range is astonishing and the remote control can be
used to pan, tilt and zoom (12X) either the near or far-end camera and assign
preset points.
You could, for example, have presets aiming at a whiteboard, at each chair
around the conference table and one that's set to maximum zoom aimed at the
table for viewing objects or documents. Two other cameras can also be added.
Sound is captured by two omnidirectional digital microphones you place on the
meeting table. Each has automatic gain control, noise suppression, echo
cancellation, a mute button/light and a 9m radius.
The main camera can use the microphones to track to the person talking. It
might take several seconds of continuous speech the first time, but provided
they don't move too much, it will be quicker next time. There's another tracking
option constrained to the nearest preset point.
ISDN is the connection method of choice. The FX model has a separate QuadBRI
(Basic Rate Interface) module that has a single connection to the FX, but four
connections to ISDN.
This allows conferencing at 512Kbps, instead of the 128Kbps to ViewStations
without the external module, and multipoint calls.
Connection via PRI (Primary Rate Interface; $4,399) and V.35 is available
($2,199) using different interface modules. Phone and TCP/IP connection are also
supported.
Two Local Area Network (Lan) ports are provided - one for direct connection
to a PC and one to connect to your network.
The ViewStation has a built-in web server, so to connect you simply type its
IP address into a PC's browser. You can access all the functions, including
making calls, but PCs can also show PowerPoint slides to the conference or use
Microsoft's NetMeeting.
The remote control is used to swap between the video and presentation, but
ViewStations with a dual monitor setup can have the video on a TV monitor and
the graphics on a higher resolution unit.
The Lan connection also offers advanced networking functions to larger
companies with Polycom's PathNavigator call-processing server ($9,999 for
100-user licence). This lets a ViewStation use other ISDN connections on the
Lan.
PCs also handle the software upgrades, downloading them from the Internet and
installing them on a ViewStation.
From there, ViewStations can update each other directly during a call. The
Polycom has a next-day, one-year warranty and offers video-conferencing with
considerable potential.
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