Release Notes VSX 7000, Version 5.1

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1 VSX 7000, Version 5.1 Polycom is pleased to announce the release of the VSX 7000, version 5.1. The VSX 7000 videoconferencing system provides ultimate versatility and best-in-class price/performance in visual collaboration, with near CD quality crystal-clear audio, TV-like smooth motion video, innovative ease of use, natural videoconferencing interaction through the most advanced video communications technology, and a compact and sleek set-top design that fits conveniently on top of a traditional monitor This document provides the latest information about version 5.1 software for the VSX 7000 system. Topics Page What s New in This Release?... 2 Serial V.35/RS-449/RS-530 Network Interface... 2 AES Encryption Support... 3 Audio and Video Error Concealment... 3 Conference on Demand... 4 Security Enhancements... 4 High-Resolution Video... 4 Enhanced Dual-Monitor Emulation... 4 More Ways to Customize Your System... 5 Easier Network Configuration, Better Network Support... 5 Feature Limitations... 6 VSX State-of-the-Art Feature Review... 7 Superior Video at Any Bandwidth... 7 Superior Audio... 7 New Remote Control... 7 Dual-Monitor Emulation... 8 People+Content Presentation... 8 Enhanced User Experience... 8 Multipoint Calling... 9 November 13, 2003 vsx7000_rel51_us_x1

2 More Ways to Use the Directory... 9 Remote Management... 9 Future Expansion Easy Software Updates and Upgrades For ViewStation Users Troubleshooting and Current Workarounds Upgrade Details Where to Get the Latest Product Information What s New in This Release? Serial V.35/RS-449/RS-530 Network Interface The VSX system now provides V.35, RS-449, and RS-530 support with the new serial network interface module. This network interface has been COMSEC tested by Titan Systems, Information Security Systems Division, and independently validated to operate with approved government encryption technologies, such as KIV -7, KIV-19, OMNI, and commercial FIPS AES devices. The network interface allows you to connect its two ports to different terminal adapters, providing the flexibility to configure one port for encrypted calls and the other for non-encrypted calls; or you can connect both ports to the same terminal adapter for dual-port calls. Like the Quad BRI network interface option, the serial V.35/RS-449/RS-530 network interface is integral to the system and is installed in the subwoofer. Features of the serial V.35/RS-449/RS-530 network interface include: Support for: Mixed calls, and an option to disable this feature People+Content calls RS-366 dialing NSA-approved optical dialing isolators External encryption devices Configurable loss-of-signal resynchronization: Both fixed and variable pulse width resynchronization for loss of signal to accommodate the cryptographic equipment KIV-19, KIV-7, KIV- 7HSB or KG 194 used with the system. Variable pulse durations set automatically based on clock speed, according to the requirements of the cryptographic equipment. Adjustable time interval between pulses Cables compatible with those used for the ViewStation FX serial interface - 2 -

3 AES Encryption Support The VSX system now offers an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption option for secure point-to-point calling. This option is ideal for non-classified government applications, secure enterprise applications, and compliance with government-mandated privacy requirements for healthcare and medical information. The encryption option supports National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) approved, FIPS 197 compliant 128-bit AES encryption with extended Diffie- Hellman key distribution recommended by the H.235 (version 3) standard. Features of the encryption option include: Standards-based encryption at all speeds in point-to-point IP and serial V.35/RS- 449/RS-530 calls, and at speeds up to 512 Kbps in ISDN calls. Support for calls using People+Content. Video and graphics streams are both encrypted. ITU standard key exchange and key management. Automatic encryption of point-to-point calls, which may be disabled by the administrator if necessary. On-screen indicators showing whether encryption is in use during calls. For information about purchasing the encryption option, please contact your Polycom distributor. Audio and Video Error Concealment The VSX 7000 now offers an industry first both audio and video error concealment. For systems with no error concealment, packet loss of as little as 1% can result in unusable audio and video. The VSX 7000 provides a nearly flawless videoconference experience at packet loss rates of up to 5%, and maintains good audio and video at up to 10% packet loss. If packet loss is over 5%, the people video stream may display a slight degradation in the video quality as it switches into error concealment mode, but video continuity and frame rate will be maintained to continue the videoconference. The audio error concealment is an industry first, and works automatically with any endpoint or MCU. Video error concealment is handled automatically in calls between VSX systems. When packet loss occurs during an H.264 call, the VSX system shifts to H.263 and uses Polycom s proprietary algorithm to conceal errors. Video error concealment functions at frame rates up to 30 fps. It is applied to the People stream in dual-stream IP calls between VSX series endpoints

4 Conference on Demand Release 5.1 introduces integration with Polycom PathNavigator s Conference on Demand feature, allowing full Polycom Office functionality. In conjunction with PathNavigator and MGC, you can use Conference on Demand to initiate multipoint calls of up to ten sites (host + 9) to create multipoint calls, without prior scheduling of bridge resources. Conference on Demand requires PathNavigator Release 5.0 or later and MGC release 5.0 or later. This feature works the same way for the VSX series as for the ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000 Release 5.1. Security Enhancements The following security enhancements are available in the 5.1 release: Do Not Disturb functionality allows the system to refuse all incoming calls automatically. Administrators can disable any remote management interface including HTTP, SNMP, FTP and Telnet. VSX systems only transmit encrypted passwords. High-Resolution Video For crisper, sharper video, the VSX 7000 now supports 4CIF video through the main camera. Although the system is normally set for smooth motion (CIF video at a high frame rate), the sharpness setting allows you to send higher resolution video (4CIF) at a lower frame rate. Enhanced Dual-Monitor Emulation Dual-monitor emulation allows you to show up to three views at once on a single monitor. Choose the screen layout best suited to your call: near and far sites shown side by side far site in main view with near site in PIP shared content in main view with far site in PIP shared content in main view with two PIPs displaying near and far sites far site or shared content in full-screen view, with no PIP When you use Dual-Monitor Emulation, the VSX system automatically saves your most recent screen layout choices for calls with and without graphics. At the beginning of a call, you see the screen layout you used in the last call. When you start sending or receiving graphics, the display automatically switches to the layout you - 4 -

5 used in the last call with graphics. You don t have to use the remote to go back to the screen layout you prefer. You may now select Dual-Monitor Emulation from the User Settings as well as from the Admin Settings. More Ways to Customize Your System Release 5.1 provides even more customization choices for the VSX 7000: Customizable logo you can upload your organization s logo to your VSX system as a PNG file from the VSX Web interface. Logo files may be up to 300 x 300 pixels. More screen saver text you can now enter several lines of screen saver text to be displayed when the VSX system is in sleep mode. Mute the start-up music just press and hold any button except the 0 on the remote control while restarting the system. Easier Network Configuration, Better Network Support The following enhancements in release 5.1 make network configuration easier, and improve network support: Alternate Gatekeeper support If your system is registered to a gatekeeper, such as Polycom PathNavigator, with alternate gatekeeper capability, the system will automatically register to the alternate gatekeeper if the primary gatekeeper becomes unavailable. Automatic BRI number detection If your system is configured for any NI-2 compatible switch protocol, the ISDN BRI numbers will be added automatically when the system auto-detects SPIDs. Empty capability set support Allows your system to use the network s advanced telephony features, such as hold, call transfer, and call forwarding

6 Feature Limitations The following table lists known limitations of the VSX 7000 system. Feature Encryption Serial V.35/RS- 449/RS-530 Interface Error concealment Conference on Demand Far-site camera control High-resolution video Limitations AES encryption is not supported for dual-stream calls through an MCU, or for multipoint calls. AES encryption is not compatible with external encryption devices. The VSX system can place calls to only one endpoint at a time through the serial network interface, but may place mixed multipoint calls by adding up to two IP connections to a point-to-point call that uses the serial network interface. Although the RS-449 and RS-530 interfaces support AES encryption, the V.35 interface does not. The serial interface does not support direct-connect. The VSX system only places a call when it receives a command via the remote control or the VSX web interface (if enabled). In People+Content (dual-stream) calls, error concealment is applied to the People stream only. When packet loss occurs, the call switches from H.264 and uses error concealment mode for the remainder of the call. Unless all sites in a Conference on Demand call are registered to PathNavigator, the MGC MCU must be configured to use the same country code and area or city code as the system placing the call. Otherwise, if your call includes ISDN numbers from the Global Directory, they may not be dialed correctly. PathNavigator s Conference on Demand feature does not provide chair control or conference passwords in calls made from VSX systems. In calls from VSX systems, PathNavigator s Conference on Demand feature provides limited information about other sites connection status. If a site drops out of a Conference on Demand call, it cannot be added back into the call. To reconnect a site, the call must be ended and then restarted. Far-site camera control may not be available in some calls. Far site camera presets apply only to the camera that is currently selected. To control a different camera, you must select it using the Camera button on the remote control. The VSX system automatically reduces images from its document camera from 4CIF resolution to CIF in multipoint calls. If the document camera is used to display text, the image may no longer be legible

7 VSX State-of-the-Art Feature Review Superior Video at Any Bandwidth The newly supported H.264 standard provides twice the video quality of H.263 at lower line rates. Calls at 768 Kbps and higher automatically use Polycom s own standards-based Pro-Motion 50/60 fields per second video for the best video available. You can configure the system to use Pro-Motion for calls at 512 Kbps and above. Error Concealment allows IP calls to provide high-quality audio and video even over networks experiencing heavy traffic. Superior Audio State-of-the-art audio quality The VSX system offers a 14 KHz frequency response (beating the current industry standard of 7 KHz) for the most naturalsounding audio available. The system also supports the industry-standard audio codecs. The system includes a built-in midrange speaker and separate subwoofer. Better sound in large rooms Improve the audio pick-up in larger rooms by connecting up to three digital microphone pods. New Remote Control Navigate t hrough the configuration screens and place calls easily: Enter text with the number buttons using the method commonly used with cell phones. Navigate back through the menus using the Back button. Return to the Home screen with one button. Enter addresses and names that include dots using the Dot button. Color-coded buttons help you find related features quickly

8 Dual-Monitor Emulation Single-monitor video conferencing like you ve never seen it! Near and far video sites appear on a single display with Dual Monitor Emulation (split-screen viewing). Specially designed for systems with plasma displays, this feature can also be used with any other type of display. Image size is selectable, and you can easily add content as well. People+Content Presentation All VSX systems can receive Annex D still images. The optional Visual Concert VSX unit option allows you to send images as well. Enhanced User Experience Customize the Home screen depending on your application, you may want a very simple layout, a full-featured screen, or something in between. Customize the workspace: Change the colors and ring tones to suit your conference room décor and environment. Name each camera or other video source and assign it an industry-specific icon so users can easily identify it during meetings. Configure the workspace with the classic ViewStation look to build on users experience with ViewStation videoconferencing systems

9 Multipoint Calling Place IP, ISDN, and mixed calls that include up to three other sites at once using the internal multipoint option. The multipoint call option is available on a trial basis at no cost. You can make a multipoint call without supplying a multipoint key; however, the call will end after five minutes. More Ways to Use the Directory Assign entries to categories Sort your local directory by department or category. Define group entries Save details of multiple sites in one Directory entry to make it easy to place a multipoint call. Search by name Quickly find people by entering the first, middle, or last name. Find others and let them find you Register with your Global Directory Server and make it easy to call other registered systems and just as easy for the other registered systems to call you. Access your Global Directory any time The system automatically copies the Global Directory to your system periodically. Entries remain available as long as your system is registered to the Global Directory. Remote Management Language independence Use the VSX Web interface in your language to manage systems running in another language. You may need to set your computer s locale and system language settings in order to see the VSX system screens properly in your language. For Asian languages, you must also have the correct font installed on your computer. Go to Start > Control Panel > Regional and Language Options to change the language and locale settings on your computer. Secure remote management The local administrator s password on the system prevents users from changing the system configuration, while allowing you to manage the system remotely. Remote system configuration Run the system setup wizard from your web browser to get the system up and running remotely. Call Detail Reports Access the system s call history from the VSX Web interface, and download the data to a spreadsheet application

10 Future Expansion The 8-pin mini-din connector on the VSX system s rear panel is present to accommodate possible future functionality. Easy Software Updates and Upgrades The VSX 7000 includes one-year hardware warranty (30-day return upon receipt at factory) and 90-day software warranty. For the first year, software updates (bug fixes and maintenance releases) and software upgrades (feature releases) are also included. Complete the one-time product registration form on the Polycom Resource Center website at to access software downloads. Using the information provided as part of product registration, Polycom will make every effort to send you electronic notification of software releases as and when available. For ViewStation Users You ll notice a few differences in the way the VSX system behaves: When you place a call, you will see near-end video (your site) at full-screen for a moment as the call connects. VSX systems do not clear shared images in the same way as ViewStation systems. To clear shared images, press the Graphics button, or press the Near or Far button twice. If you purchase a Visual Concert VSX unit with your VSX system, you ll find that the LAN and microphone pod connections differ from previous Visual Concert designs. Refer to the Visual Concert VSX QuickStart for connection details

11 The menu structure has been redesigned for ease of navigation. Screens that may require a password are structured as shown in the diagram below. System Admin Settings Diagnostics System Information User Settings General Settings Video Network Monitors Cameras Audio Settings LAN Properties Global Services System Settings TV Monitors Directory Services Home Screen Settings Graphics VGA Private Network Security Dialing Rules Location Management Options (Encryption, Multipoint) Account Validation IP Network My Information V.35/RS-449/RS-530 ISDN Network NEW! Call Quality Recent Calls

12 Troubleshooting and Current Workarounds The following table lists possible issues and provides suggested workarounds. Issue Deleting Directory entries Workaround You can delete addresses from the Directory using the Delete button on the remote control, even when the system is configured not to permit changes to the Directory. Sharing images Participants in a call may see unexpected behavior when sharing images with systems that do not share images in the same way. Use the buttons on the Visual Concert VSX to stop sharing images when you are ready to allow another call participant to share images. Participants in a call may see unexpected behavior if you disconnect your computer after sharing images. To prevent performance issues, do not connect or disconnect equipment during calls. Security Privacy Administrator password Interoperability Additional display adapter option Connecting and disconnecting equipment You may wish to turn off Keypad Audio Confirmation before manually adding a site to a call, so that the people in the call will not hear the number when you enter it. When you add a site to a call, other call participants may not be notified. This can create privacy issues. You may wish to tell other call participants when you add a site to the call. The administrator password is preserved during system reset unless you opt to delete the system settings during the reset. At present, there are certain interoperability issues: The system cannot be remotely managed by older versions of GMS. Calls to and from VoIP telephones may not perform as expected. Video issues have been observed in calls through through RADVision OnLAN MCU and in calls to Galaxy systems. Audio issues have been observed in calls to VCON equipment, and in calls through RADVision OnLAN PRI gateways and Cisco gatekeepers. Call connection issues have been observed when the system is behind a Cisco PIX firewall. The system may be unable to make V.35 calls through First Virtual Corporation s V-Room equipment. Gatekeeper registration issues have been observed in systems behind Linksys, NetGear, and SMC NATs. If the VSX system s additional display adapter is not fully seated, the connector latches do not engage and the cable may pull free of the system. To prevent this problem, seat the connector firmly so that it clicks into place. When you connect or disconnect equipment from the VSX system, Polycom recommends that you power off the VSX system first. Connecting or disconnecting equipment during a call may cause performance issues

13 Upgrade Details To upgrade your software via the Internet: 1. From your PC, go to and download the appropriate software update file for VSX 7000 in.zip format Extract the software update file. Double-click Softupdate.exe. Click Softupdate, then enter the IP address of the system you want to update. Enter the administrator password, if required, and click OK to begin the upgrade. On the System Info screen, choose your reset options: If you want to delete your existing directory before the update, check Remove Address Book. If you do not select this option, your directory will be preserved. If you want to delete your existing system information (such as the Administrator password and system name) before installing new system files, check Remove System Files. If you do not select this option, your system information will be preserved. Click Continue to upgrade the software. Caution: Do not power off the system while the software upgrade is in progress. While the system is being updated during the software upgrade, the monitor display may flicker and look similar to what you see when you switch your television to an unused channel. If the system loses power during this time, the software update will end and the system will be unable to restart. If the system loses power at some other stage of the software upgrade, it reverts to its original software version. Where to Get the Latest Product Information To view the latest Polycom product documentation, visit the Documentation section of our website at

14 Warranty and Registration The VSX 7000 includes one-year hardware warranty (30-day return upon receipt at factory) and 90-day software warranty. For the first year, software updates (bug fixes and maintenance releases) and software upgrades (feature releases) are also included. Complete the one-time product registration form on the Polycom Resource Center website at to access software downloads. Using the information provided as part of product registration, Polycom will make every effort to send you electronic notification of software releases as and when available. Copyright Information 2003 Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Polycom, Inc. Portions of the VSX software are copyright 2001 by Dr Brian Gladman. The following terms and disclaimer apply to Dr. Gladman s AES encryption implementation: Copyright 2001, Dr Brian Gladman <brg@gladman.me.uk>, Worcester, UK. All rights reserved. LICENSE TERMS The free distribution and use of this software in both source and binary form is allowed (with or without changes) provided that: 1. distributions of this source code include the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer; 2. distributions in binary form include the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other associated materials; 3. the copyright holder's name is not used to endorse products built using this software without specific written permission. DISCLAIMER This software is provided 'as is' with no explicit or implied warranties in respect of its properties, including, but not limited to, correctness and fitness for purpose. Polycom, Inc. retains title to, and ownership of, all proprietary rights with respect to the software contained within its products. The software is protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provision. Trademark Information Polycom, ViewStation, and the Polycom logo design are registered trademarks of Polycom, Inc. VSX, Visual Concert, People+Content, Pro-Motion, Conference On Demand, PathNavigator, and MGC are trademarks of Polycom, Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies