Wendell Martin, Sales Manager at Landis Computer Technology Solutions, gives his experience using the Plantronics Blackwire C720.
Below is our First Impression Review of Plantronics Blackwire C720: click here
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Friday, August 30, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Below is my video review.
Audiocodes HD 420HD
Side view
Screen 144x48 pixels
Wallmount vs Desk configuration
Wall mount
Headset, power, PC and Network Ethernet switch
What’s in the box
WebGui looks very similar to Audiocodes gateways and is very accessible.
Codec Support from 420HD web interface shown below. (NOTE: Audiocodes FW release notes indicate Audiocodes has plans to add RTA (Real Time Audio) codec support sometime after Lync certification process complete.
Summary
Notes: Audiocodes notes they are in the process of obtaining Lync Qualified status for Audiocodes 420HD but at the moment it is not certified. Since this is a new Lync device (review done using FW 2.0.1.44.5) some features are currently not implemented that will be on final product.
Pros
- Overall good design for common area or entry level voice centric IP phone
- Nice, large, quality feeling, rubberized buttons
- I like the “Silent” button on incoming call
- Each number button can be easily assigned a speed dial via a nice phone user interface
- Everything you need to wall mount is included in the box
Cons
- No button dedicated to hangup / pickup functionality (depends on context, soft button)
- No dedicated configurable buttons (often called BLF buttons and lit)
- NOTE: does support assigning Speeddials to numeric keys
- Lync functionality is, at the moment, new so has some Lync features not implemented
- Call Park
- Lync Contact List
- Safe transfer
The Audiocodes 420HD seems to me to be a well designed common area and entry level desk phone that can register to Lync and SIP servers. (At the moment the 420HD is not Lync certified) It appears to me that Audiocodes 4xxHD series is designed to be well tuned to the needs of the “PBX experience user”. I think it is good to see Audiocodes planning to join snom and Polycom in the Lync Qualified devices market.
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http://unifiedme.co.uk/2013/07/configuring-audiocodes-400hd-series-phones-with-lync-server-2013/
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Below is my video review of the Logitech H650e USB headset that is Lync Optimized.
Logitech has a new focus on enterprise devices branded as “Logitech for Business” and the Logitech USB Headset Stereo H650e is one of the devices in the line up. (Some others: the Logitech c930e)
Below is a picture of the headset. The H650e is a well built headset that has all the standard features you expect from a stereo USB headset. It does stereo, wideband audio, has acoustic echo cancelation and noise cancelling mic.
I would point out the unique flat tangle resistant USB cord.
The controls for the 650e are on the cord and include: Mute, Pickup/Hang-up, Up and down volume. A nice touch is that you can feel the Up volume versus the Down volume by the raised plus button.
The volume has 25 settings. Top and bottom of range is indicated by a “double beep” and position in range is audibly indicated through the headset.
To visually set or see the audio, click on Windows Speaker tray icon during a call.
The Pickup/Hang-up button has a white indicator light and mute has a red light.
The H650e has a flexible microphone boom that has a rubberized feel. As you will note in the picture above and below, the USB cord is well protected for daily use by “bend protectors” at the plug, controller and entry into the headset, which seems like a very good design to me.
The H650e has a red light to indicate that headset wearer is on a call. This is viewable from behind.
Other stuff in the box: getting Started guide, storage/protector pouch and clip to fasten cord.
The H650e is a Stereo headset so if you want stereo sound delivered when it is available, go into Lync Options | Audio Device and check “Stereo audio playback”. (some premium Lync Optimized device willl create actual stereo sound. examples: Lync Room Systems, the Logitech c930e and some other devices)
Some Notes
There is also a mono version of the H650e. Also there is a DECT wireless version call the Logitech Wireless Headset Dual H820e. (review coming soon)
Summary
Pros
- Stereo, Wide Band audio that sounds great to me
- Tangle resistant USB cord is a nice touch
- Well protected USB cord looks designed for “Business” everyday use
- Lync Optimized
Cons
- at higher volumes I notice a very slight crackle in the feedback audio
My experience with the H650e is that is just works and provides excellent headset quality and experience at a quite reasonable price. When combined with the Logitech c930e you get an audio/video experience with technical specs that, at the moment, are hard to match from another single vendor. If you are a “Plantronics shop”, Logitech for Business is giving some very real reasons to look at alternatives.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
The Logitech Webcam c930e is a business webcam that is certified for Microsoft Lync and Skype and first cam to bring 1080p UVC 1.5 H264 HD video encoding.
Logitech c930e CPU Performance
The c930e is the first webcam to have UVC 1.5 H264 capability so I was very eager to test it out and see what the benefits are. UVC 1.5 H264 webcams can offload video encoding from the PC CPU to CPU in webcam.
While this new capability has interesting possibilities, there are several real life factors that may limit who benefits from this:
- UVC 1.5 H264 CPU offloading is only enabled on PC’s Windows 8 and higher.
- Tests seems to indicate achieving 1920x1080 video requires 1920x1200 display resolution requires on both sides
- 1920x1080 video appears require at least i7 Processor
Here are some of my Lync 2013 CPU Utilization on Win8 PC’s:
| Max Resolution | CPU usage | Camera | |
| Intel i3 2 Cores 3.3G | 1280x720x26fps | 15% | c930e |
| Intel i3 2 Cores 3.3G | 1289x720x25fps | 23% | LifeCam Cinema |
| Intel i5 4 Cores 3.2G | 1280x720x26fps | 15% | c930e |
| Intel i5 4 Cores 3.2G | 1280x720x26fps | 15% | LifeCam Cinema |
| Intel i7 | 1920x1080x |
| C930e |
Jeff Schertz notes on i5 Duo 70% CPU for 720p stream w/o C930e and 20% when using c930e.
http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Video-Chat-Applications-Non/C930e-with-Lync-2013/td-p/1051973
c930e H264 Built-in Encoding, How Does This Help?
What does have H264 encoding built-in the webcam help? My original perception was that UVC 1.5 would enable PC’s that otherwise could not handle HD video to do so. My readjusted perception after working with the c930e (and I suspect this will be the case with all UVC 1.5 cameras) is that the requirements to achieve HD, and especially 1920x1080 HD, require some attention to PC specifications and likely an i7 PC. Take a look at this post to determine what HD video your PC is capable of.
Video Quality Comparison
As soon as you fire up the c930e you will notice it delivers brilliant, natural colors and crystal clear video without tweaking. This is powered by a true 3MP optical resolution that can do up to 1080p at 30fps. (dependent on PC)
Below is a quick video using the c930e
Preview Comparison
HD 1280x720x38fps Video Comparison
Logitech C930e
Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
Thinkpad 520w Integrated Camera
Stereo Microphone
Considering other interesting features on the c930e, it might get lost on users that this webcam has built-in stereo speakers.
The c930e is fitted with stereo microphones.
Below is a MP3 demonstrating that indeed the c930e does have stereo microphones:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5080904/c930e-audiotest.mp3
Can Lync take advantage of stereo audio? I never paid much attention before, but yes, Lync can take advantage of stereo audio just make sure the below:
Fit and Finish
Logitech seems to have put thought each aspect of the c930e’s fit and finish: From the overall device weight/balance, to various rubberized surfaces that make it feel good in the hand, to an excellent (one of the best?) monitor mounting brackets that includes just the right stiffness in the hinges, rubberized grips and weight so it mounts on your monitor very nicely. The included removable privacy shade is no exception to this nice fit and finish.
- Feels quality
- Carl Zeiss
Get a view of the standard camera mounting and various “rubberized” surfaces that make the c930e feel great as you handle it.
Front view: there is a clear plastic protecting the lense and encompassing the silver area.
Notice the various adjustable rubber grips that make the c930e mount firmly on your monitor.
The back of the c930e.
Physical Privacy Shade
Considering webRTC and NSA developments recently I suspect hardware privacy shades will become only more important in addressing concerns. (I’m taking no political positions here, just noting facts. :-)
The mechanical privacy shutter is not a quick after thought but a quality built accessory that can be removed but is included with the c930e. If you notice (below) the shutter hinge is not “cheesy” creased plastic, but a metal pin designed to last and operate smoothly for business environments.
Privacy shade hinge and in open position
Privacy shade closed
Privacy shade removed
NOTE: Interestingly the c930e nicely covers the integrated camera on my Thinkpad W520. Not sure if this is designed, but nice unintentional security feature if not.
Software and Drivers
The c930e requires no drivers or software to be installed to use the device which makes for very quick, no-hassle setup. If you want additional control of the camera you can install the Logitech Camera Settings application (LogiCamSettings.exe) available free on Logitech’s website. The download is just a couple of MB’s and installs a shortcut on the desktop (not windows menu)
The Webcam Control tab controls digital Zooming, Autofocus and Macro/Landscape settings. The digital zoom setting is especially useful to have c930e on top of monitor or laptop and yet frame you nicely. (There is a Tilt/Pan control which works but only when the c930e is zoomed in)
Digital zoom fully zoomed in
zoomed out
Advanced settings tab allows image quality tweaks
Device Info
Video First Impression Review
Summary & Observations
The Logitech c930e is the very first Lync Optimized UVC 1.5 H264 encoding camera on the market. While some new gadgets have tech specs without good design the c930e includes both and is physically one nicely designed unit. You should make yourself aware of PC spec’s required to do Super HD video and encoding offloading, but if you do you could see 40% CPU savings around encoding video. The optics and video quality is brilliant and crisp and the overall design, monitor mount and privacy shade is business quality.
<end>
Official Logitech WebPage:
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/webcam-c930e-business
http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/39606
Other resolutions:
Lync 2013 and Windows 7/i5 4 CPU –16% Partial Screen (sending 424x240, receive 960x540), FullScreen 30% (sending 1280x720 15fps, receive 960x540)
Lync 2013 and Windows 8/i3 CPU – 9% Partial Screen (sending 424x240, receive 960x540), FullScreen 18% (sending 1280x720 15fps, receive 960x540)
not 1920x1080 but actually 1280x720 @ 15fps?
http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Video-Chat-Applications-Non/C930e-with-Lync-2013/td-p/1051973
More on c930e (see comments)
http://blog.schertz.name/2013/05/hd-video-lync-2013/
Skype Video Requirements:
https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA597/what-do-i-need-to-make-a-video-call
Monday, April 22, 2013
Below is my video review of the Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet 2. My overall impression of the Tablet 2 is very good. It is a Thinkpad and looks and feels business class.
Pros
- SIM Card/Data Capable
- Ligher than Surface but not too light
- standard USB charging port
- Full sized USB for peripherals
- slick Thinkpad quality bluetooth keyboard as extra accessory
- ATOM processor and Win8 Pro means you can run standard Windows Apps
Cons
- easy for hands to cover speakers
- squeezing the unit in the middle—flexes, not solid
Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Another interesting device has been added to the Microsoft Lync Qualified Devices list: The Plantronics Calisto 620M bluetooth speakerphone. This device will work in an office environment where you want the speakerphone to be where a cable won’t reach nicely or especially as a part of your portable equipment suite.
Here is the video review:
This device comes in a Microsoft edition and an edition for everyone else: Plantronics Calisto 620M and Plantronics Calisto 620.
Below is what comes with the Calisto 620: Manuals, Cover, Wall outlet charging cord and the Calisto 620 and bluetooth dongle.
Below is the Calisto 620 with all the buttons lit during startup.
For portable scenarios, the Bluetooth dongle stows nicely on the bottom of the unit. As in common in many newer devices, the battery seems to be not readily removed/replaced.
During normal powered on state, the 620 will have no LED’s lit. Just press any button to see if the unit is powered on.
The 620 with the Bluetooth dongle plugged into laptop.
The 620 will have the Charging LED’s light when plugged in. There is no battery charge level indication on the device. (as a matter of fact the Plantronics Spokes tray software didn’t show the level either from my tests)
I was surprised that the tray software (Plantronics Spokes software) did not show battery level (but perhaps I’m missing something?) Where I expect the battery level is just said---BATTERY LEVEL!
The icon changes when the device is charging…
The device is VERY easy to setup, just slide the power switch to the middle position, plug the USB dongle into your PC and all drivers for Lync will load automatically. (No Plantronics Spokes needed to interact with Lync. Plantronics Spokes merely adds more settings change ability, the above tray app and firmware update ability)
The Plantronics Spokes software is not needed for basic Lync usage but does add the above tray app, ability to change more settings and do firmware updates if available. The spokes software is something you will need to manually download and install. (Since the download was less that 1MB I was expecting a quick install…but it was not as quick as I expected.)
How big is the device?
How does it compare to the Jabra Speak 410 USB speaker phone in size?
Since the Calisto 620 is Bluetooth it can connect to your PC and Mobile phone at the same time---very nice!
My wrap up thoughts on the Plantronics Calisto 620
- A very nice, portable, Bluetooth speaker device to come to the Lync eco-system (and beyond)
- Ability to be connected to PC and mobile device at the same time is a benefit over a USB device.
- In my informal tests the audio quality seemed better on a USB connected device vs. this Bluetooth device—(could be explained by wireless nature of Bluetooth?)
- My thought is a battery level indicator at a glance might be good addition
- The tone & volume of the volume change indicator is a bit loud and long for my tastes, but that is a small and personal opinion
- The device can be charged via wall power or USB: wall charges unit in 1.5hr and USB takes 2.5 hr
- I thought perhaps you could use the device as a USB device when plugged into PC via USB, but that is not the case (and not important, just a curiosity issue)
- This device will cost around $149
Read more about the Calistro 620 on Plantronics site:
http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/calisto-600?skuId=sku6250018&gclid=CKHAhpzB9LMCFYZM4Aod4F4AWQ
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