The Viewpoint VBX Codec Array

The Viewpoint VBX™ Codec array provides an interface between the local area users and the wide area network. The codecs provide protocol translation, allowing the local users to conference with users who are equipped with H.320 (ISDN) conferencing equipment. The Viewpoint VBX Codec array effectively provides a gateway between many different protocols and audio/video standards. In entry-level installations, the codec array is not required -- based on the configuration, up to two Osprey-1000 codecs may be included in the VBX main chassis. However, for those installations with a high volume of traffic between internal users and external contacts, the codec array offers unparalleled communications flexibility.

The Viewpoint VBX™ Codec Manager Software allows users on the VBX system to share codecs. The codecs are allocated based upon request and after the communications session ends it is returned to the general codec 'pool' to become available to other users. All of this is done transparently after the initial system configuration and setup.

One of the most significant and powerful features of the codec array is the software's capability for managing external codecs in addition to the Osprey-1000 codecs integrated into the main VBX server chassis. Many 3rd party codecs including those from NEC, Polycom, Picturetel and Minerva accept external control and management. The Viewpoint VBX™ Codec Manager software controls these products, freeing them from dedicated use and, for the first time, making them available to the entire VBX user community. Thus, with no incremental investment, the Viewpoint VBX Codec Manager software leverages and extends any existing hardware communications infrastructure, providing a seamless interface between the old and the new.

Codec Manager and Codec Explorer
The Codec Manager is a Windows NT service that provides complete remote control of pooled or shared codec resources over a local area network. A group of pooled or shared codecs in the VBX domain is called a Codec Array. The Codec Manager does not have to be running on the same computer in which the codecs reside.

The Codec Explorer provides a graphical interface to the Codec Manager. It also provides support for multiple codec managers running simultaneously on different systems on the network. It allows you to add, configure, and manage all of your codecs. It is a Windows 95/Windows NT application that can be remotely run from a PC attached to the LAN.
Shared Codec

A shared Codec (Coder/Decoder) enables the VBX Server to communicate with another VBX Server at a remote site, or with a stand-alone H.320 video conferencing system. Codecs are normally made up of an Osprey 1000 card for performing the H.320 video and audio compression/decompression and an ISDN card for connecting to the remote system. The two cards (Osprey and ISDN) are connected together inside the chassis using an MVIP cable (ribbon cable).

Video and audio from the VBX Server is supplied to the Codec through a coax input/output port (it is also possible to connect a Codec using a transceiver). The video and audio are compressed by the Codec, supplied to the ISDN card, and sent to the remote system. Compressed data rates of 128 kbps to 384 kbps are supported by the Osprey 1000 codec. Compressed video and audio from the remote system are routed from the ISDN card to the Codec, where they are decompressed and converted to NTSC video and line level audio.

These signals are supplied to the VBX via a coax input port (or transceiver).
A separate software process, the Codec Manager, is used to manage shared Codecs. This process, communicates directly with the VBX Server. Users communicate with remote systems in the same way they communicate with local users; however, the calls may take a little longer to connect.

Viewpoint VBX™ Codec Array

  • Multiple codecs per chassis
  • Scalable codec architecture
  • Broad support for popular 3rd party codecs
  • Multi-standard support
    - H.320, H.323 and MPEG-2
  • Codec-independent architecture protects your investment
  • ViewCast® Streaming Video

Viewpoint VBX™ Supported Codecs
The codecs that the VBX Codec Array supports are shown below:

  • Osprey-1000 H.320 driver (BRI and V.35 interfaces)
  • Osprey-1000 H.323 driver
  • Polycom ViewStation H.323 driver
  • NEC TC2000/VisuaLink 128/384 H.320 driver
  • NEC TC5000EX7/EX10 with Ascend VSX H.320 driver
  • PictureTel System 4000EX H.320 driver
  • C-Phone H.324 driver
  • Minerva VNP MPEG-2 codec (1 to 6 Mbps)

If you would like additional information, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1-800-250-6622.
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