EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The AVer HVC330 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 system includes a high definition (HD) camera, dual table microphones, infrared remote control, PC connectivity and dual monitor/display. A four site onboard Multipoint Conference Unit (MCU) is included together with a memory stick interface to facilitate conference recordings. A more basic unit the AVer HVC130 provides a similar specification but without conference recording facilities.

The CODEC supports conferences over IP networks at connection speed of up to 4 Mbit/s with a maximum picture resolution of 1280x720 pixels (720p).  Compatibility with other H.323 CODECS is achieved across a range of resolutions from SIF (352x240) to 1280x720 pixels. The quality of the conference is dependent upon the capability of the remote CODEC and the connection speed.

Pros:

• Conferences can be recorded to a memory stick
• On-board 4 site MCU comes as standard
• VCLink control from mobile devices and sharing mobile device camera images

Cons:

• Locally viewed images and those received at remote sites differ in aspect ratio, and video level.  
• Poor doubletalk, lip synchronisation and audio quality
• Maximum transmitted content resolution XGA

Feature Summary:

Video standards	H.261, H.263, H.263+, and H.264
Supported video resolutions	QSIF-(176x120) QCIF-(176x144) SIF-(352x240) CIF-(352x288) 4SIF-(704x480) 4CIF-(704x576) 720p-(1280x720)
Communications	H.323 128Kbps ~ 4Mbps
Audio standards	G.711, G.722, G.722.1, G.722.1c, G.728
Camera	7x optical zoom camera, PTZ function, resolution up to 5 Mega-pixels
Video inputs	PTZ camera input, Composite/S-Video input, VGA input
Video outputs	HDMI Output, VGA video Output
Audio inputs	Aver microphone (up to four microphones in a daisy-chain), auxiliary microphone, 3.5mm mini-jack connection for laptop/DVD audio
Audio outputs	HDMI, 3,5mm mini-jack
VC Auxiliary features	Meeting recording function - Store meeting recordings on a USB drive -Supports playback layout function as in live meetings Mobile Device Connectivity -Live video and snapshot images transmitted from mobile devices. -Remote control from mobile devices Snapshot function - Capture a snap- shot image from the main camera and share with meeting members - Zoom/Pan the captured image Far-end camera control. H.239 second video channel up to XGA resolution in point to point and Multisite calls. RS323 connectivity for room control systems. Four site internal H.323 MCU supporting Continuous Presence only.
Encryption	AES Encryption

B:      SETUP PROCEDURE

Setting up the AVer HVC330 system was straightforward. Without a rack mounting option the CODEC unit may be conveniently mounted on a shelf in an under-monitor cabinet. The HD camera may be positioned either on top or below a picture monitor. The desk microphones, infrared remote control and external power supply completed the basic package.

Setup included:

• Connecting the supplied VGA and HDMI leads between the CODEC and the high definition monitors.
• Connecting the 26 pin-D-sub cable between the CODEC and the camera.
• Connecting the supplied cables between the microphones and the CODEC.
  • Connecting power to the CODEC from the external power supply.
• Establishing an Ethernet IP network connection through the single RJ45-RJ45 cable.

System set up was conveniently configured through the “on-screen” menus via the remote control. IP address, IP Gateway, Subnet mask and Gatekeeper address were all entered through these menus.

Approximate set-up time:       20 Minutes        

Documentation quality:          A printed Quick Installation Guide for the hardware and network was supplied together with more detailed documentation on a CDROM. The CDROM also contained the Aver, VCplayer and ScreenShare applications. All instructions were concise and easy to follow.

C:     Hardware Description

General

This IP-only CODEC with one 10/100Mbps auto switching Ethernet port delivered a maximum image resolution of 720p. The connection bandwidth extends up to 4Mbit/s.  Both single and dual monitors are supported via VGA and HDMI video outputs. The HDMI interface also carries the main audio output signal. Analogue audio connections are also provided for input and output signals. The system includes a four site continuous presence MCU and the facility to record the conference to a memory stick.

The AVer HVC330 system supports multiple video resolutions including:

• The basic CIF format resolution of 352x288 pixels
• SIF          at  352 x 240
• 4CIF       at  704 x 576
• 4SIF        at  704 x 480
• High definition (HD) w720p 1280 x 720

The call connection bandwidth determines the upper image resolution. In calls between two AVer HVC330 systems the negotiated resolution is indicated in the table below. The frame rate was 30fps and audio protocol G.722.1C at all speeds.

Connection Bandwidth	Resolution
128 Kbit/s	SIF
384 Kbit/s	4SIF
768 Kbit/s	4SIF
1 Mbit/s	720p
2 Mbit/s	720p
4 Mbit/s	720p

Single or dual picture monitors may be used with the CODEC: In single monitor mode the main video output is available in HDMI or VGA format, but only VGA is provided for the second monitor.

The HDMI output includes the main digital audio output signal, an additional analogue audio output is also provided on the rear of the CODEC.

The main video output includes on-screen menus, that together with the infra-red remote, provide system control.

                                                                     Main Menu Not in a Call

Both Picture in Picture (PIP) and Picture outside Picture (POP) display formats are offered which allows both near and far end images to be displayed simultaneously on a single picture monitor or projector. The PIP image which is displayed following a change in image layout automatically disappears after approximately four seconds. Manual control to turn PIP on or off is not supported.

When the layout button is used to display multiple images, such as Picture Outside Picture (POP), images are displayed with a 4x3 aspect ratio, this causes an inconsistency between the image viewed locally and that transmitted to the far end this can cause cropping of the images and is explained in more detail in System Operation.

In single monitor mode the “layout-button” on the remote control cycles between several screen-display layouts.

With the main camera only being transmitted there are 4 screen display layout options:

• Large far end image plus small near end image
• Side by side near and far end images
• Large near end image plus small far end image
• Full screen far end image plus PIP* of near end image

*The PIP disappears after approximately four seconds.

When an H.329 presentation image together with the main camera image are either transmitted or received in single display mode six screen display layout options are available:

• Large presentation image plus small near and far end images
• Presentation image full screen plus near end image as a PIP*
• Presentation and far end images side by side and near end image as a PIP*
• Large far end image plus small presentation and near end images
• Large near end image plus small presentation and far end images
• Far end image full screen plus near end image as PIP*

*The PIP disappears after approximately four seconds.

Large Presentation Image, Small Far and Near Images

Side by Side Presentation and Far Images

In Dual Monitor Mode they display the following images:

	Main Monitor	Second Monitor
Not in a call	Near image + menu	Source connected to the VGA input
In a call with no presentation material	Far image + menu	Near Image
In a call with presentation material transmitted or received	Layout options +menu	Presentation material

Layout Options

• Large presentation image plus small near and far end images
• Presentation image full screen, plus near end as a PIP*
• Side by side presentation and far end images, plus near end as a PIP*
• Large far end image plus small presentation and near end images
• Large near end image plus small presentation and far end images
• Far end image full screen, plus near end as a PIP*

*The PIP disappears after approximately four seconds.

The HD camera features pan, tilt and zoom functions and a rather restricted 62 degree field of view when compared to the more common 72 degrees coverage. Ten camera pre-set positions may be recalled from the remote control.  . The camera menu includes a range of automatic (auto) and manual settings for exposure, white balance and anti-flicker. Both auto white balance and auto exposure could be inaccurate depending on image content. Optimum results were obtained by setting the camera controls manually to match the room lighting. A two metre multi-core cable connects the camera to the CODEC

An auxiliary Composite or Y/C connection is provided for a second standard definition camera, document camera or a VCR/DVD player.

The CODEC supports far end camera control (FECC) but not remote video source selection.

A PC may be interfaced directly to the system via the VGA connector, the following resolutions are supported for local monitoring:

VGA  640 x 480

SVGA  800 x 600

XGA  1024 x 768

SXGA  1280 x 1024

XGA is the maximum resolution transmitted to a remote site and while the system will accept wide screen PC formats they will only be transmitted as a 4x3, XGA display. 

Alternatively, ScreenShare - a Windows only programme, may be used to remotely connect a PC to the CODEC across the network and share the system desktop. For wireless connections however the PC must be on the same network domain as the VC system.

H.239 provides a second unidirectional video channel during H.323 calls, but without a second audio channel. Thus the main camera video and a second vision source may be transmitted simultaneously and displayed on two monitors at the remote site.

The following inputs may be transmitted on the Main and H.239 Channels:

Main Channel	Camera	S-Video Input	Composite Video Input	VGA Input
H.239 Channel	VGA Input	Grabbed Still Image	Screen Share Link	VCLink Mobile Device Link

Several audio formats are supported by the CODEC, including G.711, G.722 and G.728.

Up to four microphones may be daisy-chain connected to the CODEC to provide improved meeting room coverage, an illuminated microphone mute button is built into the microphone.

Standard DVD players can be connected to the CODEC via the auxiliary video and audio line inputs, but this auxiliary audio input is inhibited when the main camera is selected as the main channel video source. If a PC presentation with audio is required then the VGA input must be selected on the main channel.

The auxiliary audio input only remains active when the S-Video, Composite video or VGA inputs are selected on the main video channel.  If the main camera is selected on the main channel and the VGA input is selected on the H.239 channel the PC audio will not be transmitted.

 VCLink is a mobile application that allows the camera image from mobile devices to be shared via the videoconference CODEC. Snapshots from Android phones and live video from iPhone and iPad devices can then be shared. Remote control of the CODEC is also provided via the VCLink application.  This connection is password protected.

The on-board MCU offers up to four-site H.323 multipoint conferences (the host CODEC plus three other remote sites). The speed of each site connection is dependent on the number of sites in the MCU conference and the connection bandwidth. Only continuous presence split screen is supported. The host MCU transmits a 4SIF split screen image to the other CODECS in the call.

Conference recording

Conferences may be conveniently recorded to a USB memory stick connected to the CODEC front panel, recordings being initiated and controlled via the remote control.  Recordings may be played back via the AVer CODEC or by using a separate PC running the AVer VCplayer application.

During a recording the conference is automatically downgraded to 4CIF at 4x3 aspect ratio.

The storage required for a recording is dependent on the call speed, for example a 2Mbit/s call will require around 2GB of storage for a conference lasting an hour. The quality replayed via the AVer CODEC and the AVer VCplayer was very good. Full layout control is available when playing back from either source. The VCplayer also provides the facility to convert a choice of layouts into a .mov file for editing and/or web distribution, but with the interactive layout selection facility removed. 

The images below demonstrate the same conference recording being replayed with different screen layouts selected

Screenshots reproduced by permission of AverMedia

D: SYSTEM OPERATION

Three control options are supported:

• Locally from the infra-red remote
• Using a  room control system via the RS232 interface
• Using the VCLink application installed on a mobile device

Dedicated user buttons include: Call, Hang up, Microphone mute, Near/Far camera, Display layout, Volume, Zoom, Input select, Record, Snapshot and Present. Rather unusually buttons are also included for 4x3/16x9 monitor aspect ratio and Single/Dual monitor select, both of which are normally set up through an administrator menu.

In multi-image layout modes the main camera image is viewed locally as a 4x3 image, but the image transmitted to the far end is in widescreen format with areas of the top and bottom of the locally viewed camera image cropped. It is therefore received as a reduced height image. Thus camera images viewed locally and remotely are different and can cause problems with camera alignment.

This effect is illustrated below:

The camera has up to 10 preset positions which are stored and recalled via the remote control. 

The system takes approximately 90 seconds to boot up from cold and on restart it defaults to single monitor mode. When not in a call the system may be set to auto power off after a user-definable period of 30 minutes, 1,2,3,4 hours or never. The system appears to automatically go into sleep (standby) mode after a period but this is not documented, pressing a button on the remote control returned the system to live operation.

The Statistics menu displays call status data including resolution, connection speed (Call Quality), compression protocols, packet loss and frame rate for the main video and H.239 channels.  The connection speed or Call Quality can mis-report, for example if a 4Mbit/s call is initiated from the local CODEC but the far end CODEC can only connect at 2Mbit/s then the AVer HVC330 statistics will report a Call Quality of 4Mbit/s. 

An H.239 connection is initiated by selecting “Present” on the remote control and using the on-screen graphical interface to select the presentation source from:

1. The VGA input

2. A snapshot grabbed from the camera

When H.239 Presentations originate from a laptop using ScreenShare or a mobile device using VCLink they are initiated from the application not from the CODEC.

Controlling an MCU conference is a simple procedure:

1. Select the “Call” button during a conference

2. Enter the number of the additional site into the call menu or select the site from the Directory or the Call History list.

3. The additional site will then be connected to the conference.

Individual calls or all connections may be disconnected through the graphic interface.

The MCU operates in continuous presence mode only and H.239 is supported during MCU conferences.

Limited configuration is available via WebTool, a web browser with password protection, including: updating the Phone Book, viewing Call History, updating system software and backing up system settings. WebTool also enables remote monitoring of conferences by providing low frame rate web snapshots of the main monitor images.

WebTool Screen Shots

                                                                          WebTool Main Menu

                                                                          Camera Control

                                                                                       Phonebook

Screenshots reproduced by permission of AverMedia

 
 
 
E:      VIDEO TESTS SUMMARY

The overall quality of the video was limited both by the camera and CODEC performance.   Automatic adjustments to exposure and white balance were at times slow to operate and were very dependent on image content.  Optimum results were obtained by manually setting the exposure and white balance to match the room lighting. The wide angle range of 62 degrees restricted the field of view when compared to the normal 72 degree coverage of most other conference camera lenses.

Images transmitted on the main channel and displayed using either the HDMI or VGA outputs appeared to be over exposed and highly saturated in colour. When a grey scale test signal was transmitted on the main video channel, locally it appeared correct, however, at the remote end the white and first grey scale step merged into one, illustrated below.

An identical test was repeated using the same HDMI monitor but another manufacturer’s CODEC at the far end. This time all the steps in the grey scale were reproduced accurately. The AVer HVC330 would appear to have a problem decoding the main channel image. This effect was not evident on the H.239 Channel.

An inconsistency in the aspect ratio between the main camera image viewed locally and that transmitted to remote sites could cause problems as shown in the images below. With single monitor and dual monitor displays a 4x3 image of the local camera is displayed in multi-image layout mode with additional image areas at the top and bottom of the image as seen on the right, whereas the image on the left shows the actual 16x9 transmitted image. Thus a camera adjusted locally for an acceptable amount of “headroom” is very likely to have the participants head chopped off at the remote site.

F:           AUDIO TESTS SUMMARY

Setup     The echo canceller is fully automatic in operation.

	Lecture Theatre	Room
Audio levels adequate? (Yes/No)	Not tested	Yes
Audio quality acceptable? (Yes/No)	Not tested	No
Echo cancellation acceptable? (Yes/No)	Not tested	Yes
Quality of double talk	Not tested	Poor

Comments:   Lip synchronisation using the system microphones was consistently very poor in calls between AVer HVC330 systems with video delays of around one second. This effect was observed using H.261, H.263 and H.264 protocols. The problem occurred in both directions. In calls with other manufacturer’s CODECs the effect was still evident on the AVer system but less so on the other manufacturer’s CODEC.

Lip synchronisation was much closer on video/audio connected to the Auxiliary CODEC inputs using H.263 and H.264 protocols but was very poor with H.261.

Low levels of background noise within the conference room significantly affected the audio quality received from the CODEC to such an extent that the conference audio became completely unintelligible. As background noise increased, the conference audio progressively degraded until it disappeared altogether.  Even low level noise from a keyboard being tapped was enough to significantly impact on the audio quality received in that room resulting in very poor doubletalk and intelligibility.

Standard audio frequency response tests were unable to be completed due to the system performance. When audio test tones were transmitted via the auxiliary audio input and monitored both locally and at the remote CODEC, the system performance was non-standard. For frequencies above 6.5 KHz the frequency of the signals measured at both the local and remote CODEC outputs are seen below:

Test Tone Frequency	Frequency measured at the output of the local and remote CODECS
6.5 KHz	6.5 KHz
10 KHz	6.0 KHz
12 KHz	4.0 KHz
15 KHz	1.0 KHz
16 KHz	31  Hz
20 KHz	4   KHz

This effect was also experienced when the system was not in a call, suggesting a problem in encoding the audio. In practise, music played over the system exceeding 6.5KHz would be severely distorted.

G:     DATA TESTS

A PC may be directly connected to the CODEC via the VGA interface or across the network using ScreenShare software; the images may be transmitted on either the main channel or the H.239 channel.  Audio from a PC connected to the VGA input may only be transmitted when the VGA input is selected on the main channel.  

H:     CONNECTIVITY

Connectivity between Like Machines

H.323

With the exception of Lip Sync there were no problems connecting between the AVer HVC330 units over IP.

During an H.323 call the network connection was removed and reconnected after a specific time.

10 Seconds	Picture froze - successful reconnection, call does not terminate
20 Seconds	Picture froze - successful reconnection, call does not terminate
30 Seconds	Picture froze - successful reconnection, call does not terminate
40 Seconds	Picture froze - call then terminated on reconnection

Time to Connect

H.323

5 Seconds

Connectivity with Other Machines (models listed with comments)

  H.323

Successful connections were made in each direction with the following CODECs, where the system supported H.239 presentation material was also shared.

CODEC	Call Bandwidth	Resolution Transmitted by the  AVer HVC330	Resolution Received by the  AVer HVC330
Polycom® VSX7000 S/W   9.0.5.1	2 Mbit/s	4CIF 15fps	CIF
Polycom HDX 9002 S/W   2.6.0	4 Mbit/s	w720p	w720p
Tandberg 6000 MXP S/W   F9.0 PAL	4 Mbit/s	w720p 8-9 fps	w720p
Tandberg C40 S/W   TC5.1.1	4 Mbit/s	w720p	w720p
Cisco SX20 S/W   TC5.1.1	4 Mbit/s	w720p	w720p
Tandberg C60 S/W   TC4.2.1	4 Mbit/s	w720p	w720p
Lifesize Express 220 S/W   4.9.00	4 Mbit/s	w720p	w720p
Lifesize Team S/W   4.7.19	4 Mbit/s	w720p	w720p
Lifesize Room 200 S/W   4.7.10	4 Mbit/s	w720p	w720p

*During connections between the AVer HVC330 and the Tandberg 6000MXP CODEC the AVer HVC330 reported low transmitted frame rate on the main channel and  H.239 images received at the Tandberg were broken up.

Resolution in pixels and their common designation:

• 1280 x 720      720p

• 704 x 576        4CIF
• 352 x 288        CIF
• 320 x 240        QVGA
• 176 x 144        QCIF

Connectivity with JANET Videoconferencing Service (JVCS)

H.323

The CODEC connected successfully to the JVCS Codian MSE 8510 HD MCU negotiating H.264 Video, 720p resolution with G.722 audio transmitted to the MCU and G.722.1C audio received from the MCU. H.239 images were shared in both directions.

The received audio level was measured as peaking to +4dBm.

MCU Software Version 4.2 (1.43)

Procedure for making a call

1. Press Call button on the remote control
2. Select connection speed/quality (the system defaults to auto)
3. Input IP address or E.164 number
4. Press the OK button

Or use the Local Contacts directory available from the user interface.  An extensive recent calls list is also available.  

Appendix 1            Detailed Physical Information

Dimensions:       (w x d x h) 32 x 26 x 2.7 cm

Video Inputs	Type	Connector
Main HD camera	Digital	26Pin D-sub
Auxiliary Video	Composite or Y/C	4 pin mini DIN
PC	Analog RGB	15 pin D type

Video Outputs	Type		Connector
Main monitor Second monitor	Digital VGA		HDMI 9 Pin D-type
Audio Inputs		Level	Connector
Aver Microphone Auxiliary Microphone Auxiliary or VCR/DVD stereo		Microphone Microphone Line	5 Pin DIN 3 Pin DIN Mini jack

Audio Outputs	Level	Connector
Main audio left and right Main audio left and right	Digital Line	HDMI Mini jack

Data

1. 1 off LAN 10/100 Mbits/s Ethernet connection (RJ45)
2. 1 off 8 pin DIN RS232 room control connector
3. 1 off USB slot for recording media
4. 1 off USB slot for system upgrade

Cables Supplied

1.  1 off 2 metre, 26Pin D-sub camera cable
2.  1 off 2 metre, HDMI-HDMI monitor cable
3.  1 off 2 metre, VGA-VGA monitor cable
4.  1 off 2 metre Mini jack – 2 RCA
5.  1 off  3-pin DIN to XLR microphone cable
6.  1 off  2 metre RJ45-RJ45 network cable
7.  1 off  3 metre, microphone cable
8.  1 off  S-Video to Composite convertor
9.  1 off IEC power cord

Mobility

The AVer HVC330 system is portable, lightweight and can be moved easily. To establish a connection each new location will need the local network information re-entered into the configuration menu.

 Appendix 2                    Detailed Video Tests

For the following tests the video resolution was:

Connection Speed	Resolution H.261	Resolution H.263	Resolution H.264
384 Kbit/s	CIF	4CIF	704x480
768 Kbit/s	CIF	4CIF	704x480
2 Mbit/s	CIF	4CIF	1280x720
4 Mbit/s	----	4CIF	1280x720

The corresponding audio standard was G.722.1C

Objective Video Tests: Signal measurements

1. 75% EBU bars
2. Grey scale

Subjective Video Impairments Tested:
Lip synchronisation	LS
Block distortion (tiling)	BLK
Blurring (reduced edge sharpness and spatial detail)	BLR
Colour errors	CLR
Jerkiness (distortion of smooth motion)	JRK
Object persistence (lagging images from previous frames as faded or outline images)	OP
Scene cut response (i.e. time to build up the new image)	SCR

Scale of impairments:

Imperceptible                         1

Perceptible                              2

Slightly annoying                   3

Annoying                               4

Very annoying                        5

Test Tape:

Signals recorded                                                                                       Time on tape

1. EBU colour bars                                                                                    1min 30secs
2. Grey scale                                                                                                1.40 - 2.40
3. Blue field                                                                                                 2.50 - 3.50
4. Medium close up female face, still                                                          4.00 - 5.00
5. Medium close up female face, talking                                                     5.10 - 6.10
6. Close up face, nodding                                                                           6.20 - 7.20
7. Close up face, shaking head side to side                                                 7.30 - 8.30
8. Zoom out slowly to wide angle three people                                          8.40 - 9.40
9. Zoom in quickly to close up of centre person                                       9.50 - 10.50
10. Turntable speeds: 1,2,3 and 4                                                             11.00 - 15.30
11. Football sequence                                                                                15.40 - 16.40
12. Zoom in and out of  “A to Z” map                                                     16.50 - 17.50
13. Text legibility, font sizes 20 to 12 pt                                                  20.30 - 20.50
14. Cut tests, scenes various with camera movements                              21.00 - 22.00
15. Man teaching at whiteboard                                                               22.10 - 23.23

Test 1a (H261): Colour bar test

(Insert 75% EBU bars at local site, measure at remote site)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	1	1	1
BLR	2	2	1
CLR	1	1	1

Test 1b (H263): Colour bar test

(Insert 75% EBU bars at local site, measure at remote site)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	1	1	1	1
BLR	2	1	1	1
CLR	1	1	1	1

Test 1c (H264): Colour bar test

(Insert 75% EBU bars at local site, measure at remote site)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	1	1	1	1
BLR	2	2	1	1
CLR	1	1	1	1

Test 2a (H.261): Grey scale

(Insert grey scale at local site, measure at remote site)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	2	2	2
BLR	2	2	2
CLR	1	1	1

Test 2b (H.263): Grey scale

(Insert grey scale at local site, measure at remote site)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	2	2	2	2
BLR	2	2	2	1
CLR	1	1	1	1

Test 2c (H.264): Grey scale

(Insert grey scale at local site, measure at remote site)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	2	2	2	1
BLR	2	2	1	1
CLR	1	1	1	1

Test 3a (H.261): Blue screen

(Insert blue screen at local site, measure at remote site)                                                                                                                                                                          

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	2	2	2
CLR	1	1	1

Test 3b (H.263): Blue screen

(Insert blue screen at local site, measure at remote site)                                               

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	2	1	1	1
CLR	1	1	1	1

Test 3c (H.264): Blue screen

(Insert blue screen at local site, measure at remote site)                                                           

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	1	1	1	1
CLR	1	1	1	1

Test 4a (H.261): Medium close up female (still)                     

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	3	2	2
BLR	2	2	2
CLR	1	1	1

Test 4b (H.263): Medium close up female (still)                     

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	3	2	2	1
BLR	2	2	2	2
CLR	1	1	1	1

Test 4c (H.264): Medium close up female (still)                     

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	2	2	1	1
BLR	3	2	2	1
CLR	1	1	1	1

Test 5a (H.261): Medium close up female (talking)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
LS	5	5	4
BLK	4	3	2
BLR	3	3	2
CLR	1	1	1
JRK	2	2	1

Test 5b (H.263): Medium close up female (talking)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
LS	1	1	1	2
BLK	3	2	2	1
BLR	2	2	2	1
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	1	1	1	1

Test 5c (H.264): Medium close up female (talking)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
LS	2	2	1	2
BLK	2	2	2	1
BLR	3	2	2	1
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	1	1	1	1

Test 6a (H.261): Close up head (nodding)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	2	2
BLR	3	3	2
CLR	1	1	1
JRK	2	1	1

Test 6b (H.263): Close up head (nodding)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	3	2	1	1
BLR	2	2	2	2
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	1	1	1	1

Test 6c (H.264): Close up head (nodding)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	2	2	1	1
BLR	2	2	1	1
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	1	1	1	1

Test 7a (H.261):  Close up head (shaking side to side)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	3	2
BLR	3	3	2
CLR	1	1	1
JRK	2	1	1

Test 7b (H.263):  Close up head (shaking side to side)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	3	2	1
BLR	3	2	2	2
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	1	1	1	1

Test 7c (H.264):  Close up head (shaking side to side)

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	3	3	2	1
BLR	4	3	3	2
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	1	1	1	1

Test 8a (H.261): Medium close up, slow zoom out to three shot

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	3	2
BLR	3	3	2
CLR	1	1	1
JRK	3	2	2

Test 8b (H.263): Medium close up, slow zoom out to three shot

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	3	2	2	1
BLR	3	2	2	2
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	3	2	2	2

Test 8c (H.264): Medium close up, slow zoom out to three shot

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	3	2	1	1
BLR	4	2	2	1
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	3	2	2	2

Test 9a (H.261): Three shot, quick zoom in to medium close up centre person

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	3	2
BLR	3	3	2
CLR	1	1	1
JRK	2	2	2

Test 9b (H.263): Three shot, quick zoom in to medium close up centre person

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	3	2	1	1
BLR	3	3	2	2
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	2	2	2	2

Test 9c (H.264): Three shot, quick zoom in to medium close up centre person

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	3	2	2	1
BLR	4	2	2	2
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	3	3	2	2

Test 10a (H.261): Turntable speed 1

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	3	2	1
BLR	2	1	1
CLR	2	2	1
JRK	2	2	1

Test 10b (H.263): Turntable speed 1

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	3	2	1	1
BLR	1	1	1	1
CLR	2	1	1	1
JRK	1	1	1	1

Test 10c (H.264): Turntable speed 1

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	2	2	1	1
BLR	2	1	1	1
CLR	2	1	1	1
JRK	2	2	2	2

Test 10d (H.261): Turntable speed 2

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	3	1
BLR	3	2	1
CLR	2	2	1
JRK	2	2	2

Test 10e (H.263): Turntable speed 2

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	3	2	1	1
BLR	1	1	1	1
CLR	2	1	1	1
JRK	2	2	2	2

Test 10f (H.264): Turntable speed 2

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	2	2	1	1
BLR	2	1	1	1
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	3	2	2	3

Test 10g (H.261): Turntable speed 3

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	3	1
BLR	3	2	2
CLR	2	2	1
JRK	3	3	2

Test 10h (H.263): Turntable speed 3

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	3	2	1
BLR	2	2	2	2
CLR	2	1	1	1
JRK	3	2	2	2

Test 10i (H.264): Turntable speed 3

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	2	2	2	2
BLR	3	2	2	2
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	4	2	3	3

Test 10j (H.261): Turntable speed 4

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	5	4	2
BLR	4	3	3
CLR	2	2	1
JRK	4	3	3

Test 10k (H.263): Turntable speed 4

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	5	3	2	2
BLR	4	3	3	3
CLR	2	1	1	1
JRK	3	2	2	2

Test 10l (H.264): Turntable speed 4

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	2	2	2	2
BLR	4	3	3	3
CLR	2	1	1	1
JRK	4	2	3	3

Test 11a (H.261): Football sequence

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	5	5	3
BLR	4	4	3
CLR	2	2	2
JRK	2	2	1

Test 11b (H.263): Football sequence

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	5	4	2	2
BLR	4	3	2	2
CLR	2	2	2	2
JRK	2	2	2	2

Test 11c (H.264): Football sequence

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	3	2	2
BLR	5	3	3	2
CLR	2	2	2	2
JRK	2	2	2	2

Test 12a (H.261): Zoom in and zoom out of ‘A to Z’ map

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	5	4	3
BLR	5	5	4
CLR	1	1	1
JRK	4	4	4

Test 12b (H.263): Zoom in and zoom out of ‘A to Z’ map

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	3	2	2
BLR	5	3	3	2
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	4	4	3	3

Test 12c (H.264): Zoom in and zoom out of ‘A to Z’ map

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	3	2	2
BLR	4	3	3	2
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	4	4	3	3

Test 13a (H.261): Text legibility (% of screen height) at viewing distance approx. 5x screen diagonal

Legibility H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
20 pt (3.5%)	Yes	Yes	Yes
16 pt (3%)	Yes	Yes	Yes
14 pt (2.5%)	No	No	No
12 pt (2.3%)	No	No	No

Test 13b (H.263): Text legibility (% of screen height) at viewing distance approx. 5x screen diagonal

Legibility H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
20 pt (3.5%)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
16 pt (3%)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
14 pt (2.5%)	No	No	Yes	Yes
12 pt (2.3%)	No	No	No	No

Test 13c (H.264): Text legibility (% of screen height) at viewing distance approx. 5x screen diagonal

Legibility H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
20 pt (3.5%)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
16 pt (3%)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
14 pt (2.5%)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
12 pt (2.3%)	No	No	No	Yes

Test 14a (H.261): Video with several vision cuts

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
BLK	5	4	2
BLR	5	4	3
CLR	1	1	1
OP	1	1	1
SCR	3	3	2
JRK	4	4	3

Test 14b (H.263): Video with several vision cuts

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	3	2	2
BLR	4	3	2	2
CLR	1	1	1	1
OP	1	1	1	1
SCR	3	3	2	2
JRK	4	4	3	3

Test 14c (H.264): Video with several vision cuts

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
BLK	4	3	2	1
BLR	4	3	2	1
CLR	1	1	1	1
OP	1	1	1	1
SCR	4	3	2	2
JRK	4	3	3	2

Test 15a (H.261): Man teaching with flip chart

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s
LS	3	4	3
BLK	3	2	2
BLR	3	2	2
CLR	2	1	1
JRK	2	2	1

Test 15b (H.263): Man teaching with flip chart

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
LS	2	2	1	2
BLK	3	2	2	1
BLR	3	2	2	2
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	1	1	1	1

Test 15c (H.264): Man teaching with flip chart

Subjective Impairments H.323	384 kbit/s	768 kbit/s	2.0 Mbit/s	4.0 Mbit/s
LS	2	1	1	2
BLK	2	1	1	1
BLR	3	2	1	1
CLR	1	1	1	1
JRK	2	1	1	1

Appendix 3            Detailed Audio Tests

Test 1: Frequency response (-3 dB)

(Insert -6 dB signal at the local site, measure at remote site)

Standard audio frequency response tests were unable to be completed due to the system performance. When audio test tones were transmitted via the auxiliary audio input and monitored both locally and at the remote CODEC the system performance was non-standard. For frequencies above 6.5 KHz the frequency of the signals measured at both the local and remote CODEC outputs are seen below:

Test Tone Frequency	Frequency measured at the output of the local and remote CODECS
6.5 KHz	6.5 KHz
10 KHz	6.0 KHz
12 KHz	4.0 KHz
15 KHz	1.0 KHz
16 KHz	31  Hz
20 KHz	4   KHz

This effect was also experienced when the system was not in a call suggesting a problem in encoding the audio. Hence if music was played via the system frequencies above 6.5 KHz would be significantly distorted. 

Test 2: Headroom (measured on G722 connection)

Insert increasing amplitude 1 KHz tone at local site, monitor for overload distortion at remote site

Overload occurs at:                  +8dBm

Test 3:  Audio level

(Insert -6dBm 1 KHz tone at local site, monitor received level at remote site VCR output)

Remote site signal measures:     CODEC output is controlled by the Volume Control so output test could not be made.

Test 4: Echo Cancellation

Setup     The echo canceller is fully automatic in operation.

	Lecture Theatre	Room
Audio levels adequate? (Yes/No)	Not tested	Y
Audio quality acceptable? (Yes/No)	Not tested	No
Echo cancellation acceptable? (Yes/No)	Not tested	Y
Quality of double talk	Not tested	Poor

Comments:   Lip synchronisation using the system microphones was consistently very poor in calls between AVer HVC330 systems with video delays of around one second. This effect was observed using H.261, H.263 and H.264 protocols. The problem occurred in both directions. In calls with other manufacturer’s CODECs the effect was still evident on the AVer system but less so on the other manufacturers CODEC.

Lip synchronisation was much closer on video/audio connected to the auxiliary CODEC inputs using H.263 and H.264 protocols but was very poor with H.261.

Low levels of background noise within the conference room significantly affected the audio quality received from the CODEC to such an extent that the conference audio became completely unintelligible. As background noise increased the conference audio progressively degraded until it disappeared altogether.  Even low level noise from a keyboard being tapped was enough to significantly impact on the audio quality received in that room resulting in very poor doubletalk and intelligibility.