Summary of VCON VPoint HD videoconferencing evaluation

The evaluation of VCON VPoint HD, a desktop videoconferencing client, was carried out by our advisers Geoff Constable and Shafiq Latif. A summary of their conclusions appears below. The full document can be read by following this link to our library page.

VCON Vpoint HD is a very good piece of videoconferencing software. With sufficient bandwidth and in full-screen mode it successfully emulates an H.323 CODEC. It handles low bandwidth very well and supports a wide variety of audio and video encoding standards.

This fully standards-compliant software worked well with most other H.323 compliant endpoints that we used in the testing process. It also interoperated with the Janet Videoconferencing system and would have no problem passing a Janet QA test. However, interoperability testing had mixed results. It also offers SIP and so should inter-work happily in a Voice over IP (VoIP) environment.

The software does offer the user control of video and audio settings for the outgoing image and incoming lip-sync during a call.

However, there are one or two drawbacks to the software. The user doesn’t have a fine degree of control of the coding and encoding algorithms that the software selects (as in other alternative products). This might be seen as a technical requirement that most users would not care about, but it would be helpful if it were available for those who wish to use it.

A second drawback is the complexity of the purchasing decision as there are various options available. The evaluators felt that a single version that included all functions would make it simpler for the purchaser to make a decision.

The user interface was found to be fiddly and not completely intuitive.

There were also some concerns regarding interoperability with some other H.323 endpoints including a Codian MCU and a LifeSize Room 200. The calls completed, but the quality was variable.

Pros:

• Turns a PC into a videoconferencing unit effectively and affordably
• Single sign-in can be used on multiple devices
• Compatible with the Janet Videoconferencing Service, H.323 endpoints and SIP    (SIP not tested)
• Excellent quality High Definition (720p) received
• Recording and export facility in Executive version
• Allows sharing of windows or regions of the desktop with camera image
• Fully featured trial version available

Cons:

• User interface difficult to negotiate
• Complicated offering of different versions with different capabilities
• Some interoperability issues in testing