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The VTAS service has now been retired (May 2017). In a new partnership with Ajenta, Jisc are planning the next evolution of the Vscene videoconferencing service. As part of this change Jisc has decided to retire the VTAS service. The content below is part of the VTAS archive. The Janet Video Technology Advisory Service (VTAS)  provides unbiased technical advice on equipment and issues related to videoconferencing. Product evaluations are published via this web site for all of the Janet community to access. The team of advisers are all experts in various aspects of videoconferencing technology which provides an excellent knowledge base for any queries they receive. Janet also offers courses in videoconferencing to provide a working knowledge of the technology for those who are new to the concept. The summary table of various videoconferencing systems can be found on the community site. Most recent evaluations include: Cisco Telepresence SX80 - Evaluation document Clearone Collaborate Room Pro 600 - Evaluation document Vidyo HD40 and HD100 - Evaluation document Vidyo HD40 and HD100 - Manufacturer's comments Cisco SX10 - Evaluation document Cisco SX10 - Manufacturer's comments AVer EVC130p - Evaluation document AVer EVC130p - Manufacturer's comments Starleaf GT Mini and PT Mini - Evaluation document Starleaf GT Mini and PT Mini - Manufacturer's comments Huawei TE30 - Evaluation document Huawei TE30 - Manufacturer's comments Other evaluations can be found in the library area.

Summary of evaluation for Cisco SX20

9 September 2013 at 9:31am

The Cisco SX20 Quick Set high definition conferencing system is designed to be installed either in a small to medium sized conference room or as part of a Roll-about unit.

The basic system supports a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels @ 30fps and includes a high definition (HD) camera, a table microphone, an infra-red remote control and PC connectivity in the package.  Several options are available:

  1. A four site on-board Multipoint Conference Unit (MCU)
  2. The choice of an HD camera with either a 12x or a 4x zoom range
  3. Premium Resolution with a maximum resolution of 1920x1080 at 60 fps.
  4. Natural Presenter provides dual video channel H.239
  5. Dual monitor output

Compatibility with other H.323 CODECS is achieved across a range of resolutions from SIF (352x240) to 1920x1080 pixels. The quality of the conference is dependent upon the capability of the remote CODEC and the connection speed.

Pros:

  • Feature rich, compact and easy to install
  • Up to 1080p @ 60fps main video
  • Overall video and audio performance
  •  

Cons:

  • 12x camera focus performance and PTZ mechanical noise  
  • Vari-speed cooling fan noise
  • Maximum Presentation signal frame rate restricted to 15fps at 1080p resolution

Feature Summary:

Video standards

H.263, H.263+, and H.264

Supported video resolutions

176 x 144     @30, 60 fps (QCIF) (Decode only)

352 x 288     @30, 60 fps (CIF)

512 x 288     @30, 60 fps (w288p)

576 x 448     @30, 60 fps (448p)

768 x 448     @30, 60 fps (w448p)

704 x 576     @30, 60 fps (4CIF)

1024 x 576   @30, 60 fps (w576p)

640 x 480     @30, 60 fps (VGA)

800 x 600     @30, 60 fps (SVGA)

1024 x 768   @30, 60 fps (XGA)

1280 x 768   @30, 60 fps (WXGA)

1280 x 720   @30, 60 fps (HD720p)

1920 x 1080 @30, 60 fps (HD1080p)

Communications

H.323 128Kbps ~ 6Mbps

Audio standards

G.711, G.722, G.722.1, 64 kbps and 128 kbps MPEG4 AAC-LD

Optional cameras

4x optical zoom camera, PTZ function, 1080 native resolution. 70° horizontal field of view.

12x optical zoom camera, PTZ function, 1080 native resolution. 72° horizontal field of view.

Video inputs

One HDMI and one DVI-I (Analogue and Digital)

Video outputs

Two HDMI

Audio inputs

2 x desk microphones, microphone audio from camera over HDMI, 3.5mm mini-jack connection for laptop/DVD audio

Audio outputs

HDMI, 3.5mm mini-jack

Auxiliary features

H.239 second video channel up to 1080p resolution @15fps in point to point and Multisite calls.

Far-end camera control.

Four site internal H.323 MCU supporting Continuous Presence only.

Encryption

AES Encryption