Polycom PVX Instruction Manual

May 2006
3725-22754-006/A 1
Release Notes
Polycom PVX Version 8.0.2
Polycom is pleased to announce the release of Polycom PVX™ version 8.0.2.
Polycom PVX version 8.0.2 delivers unprecedented technology and
performance to computer video conferencing. With premium audio and video
algorithms and enhanced collaboration features, the Polycom PVX software
delivers power and performance never before seen in computer video
conferencing.
Working together with a computer and a standard USB camera, the Polycom
PVX 8.0.2 software application brings video conferencing to your desktop. It
is ideal for employees who work from home, sales or consulting professionals
who travel, educators conducting distance learning events, or health care
professionals delivering services in remote facilities. Polycom PVX software
extends Polycom’s unmatched capabilities and conference room performance
to the desktop.
Polycom PVX 8.0.2 will continue to support the ViaVideo™ and ViaVideo II
cameras. However, Polycom recommends using standard USB 2.x webcams to
achieve the highest video quality. When you choose a standard webcam, the
computer’s processing capabilities let you use additional features such as
H.264 and Siren™ 14. View-only mode allows users without cameras to
participate in video conferences using audio and to share content using
People+Content™ and standards-based H.239.
What’s New in Release 8.0.2?
Polycom PVX 8.0.2 is a maintenance release. This release includes general
improvements to SIP interoperability and stability, support for the SIP Express
Router (SER) SIP server, and other minor improvements.
What’s New in Release 8.0.1?
Polycom PVX 8.0.1 is a maintenance release. A number of minor
improvements have been added to PVX for this release; however, the major
change is that you can now specify the CPU resources required by your
camera.
A new tab, the Advanced Tab, has been added to the Video page. Settings on
this tab allow you to configure PVX to compensate for a higher CPU load from
your camera driver. You can lower the estimated CPU power by a fixed
amount and, thereby, enhance the quality of your PVX video.

Release Notes
Polycom PVX Version 8.0.2
23725-22754-006/A
What’s New in Release 8.0?
•VGA (640x480) Resolution Support - Polycom PVX 8.0.0 supports sending
and receiving video at VGA and half-VGA resolutions. This can be
enabled on systems with higher speed CPUs and USB 2.0 cameras.
•Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Support - Point-to-point SIP calling, direct
dialed or through a Nortel™ MCS or Microsoft® LCS 2005 (SP1) proxy
server, is supported.
•Universal Plug and Play (UPnP™) Support - Polycom PVX 8.0.0 supports
secure firewall traversal calls using UPnP-enabled home routers.
•Automatic Gain Control - Significant improvements were made to audio
input levels. A new automatic gain control was added that adjusts
microphone input to minimize echo reflected back to the far site. It also
adjusts the audio level into a conference to improve the volume match
with other endpoints connected to an MCU.
•H.239 Standards Based People+Content - Polycom PVX has full support
for H.239 standards based People+Content.
•Improved Calling with People+Content - The frame rate for people video
is no longer affected by enabling People+Content. At the point that
content is sent or received, Polycom PVX adjusts to leave more CPU cycles
for content video.
•Asymmetric Call Support - Polycom PVX 8.0.0 supports calls with ADSL
or cable modems with asymmetric bandwidth for upload and download.
•Network Adapter Management - Polycom PVX 8.0.0 offers more flexibility
in controlling which network adapter is used for video calls. The Network
setup page was streamlined to make configuration easier.
•Global Directory Server (GDS) ISDN Dialing Enhancement - Endpoints
listed in a directory with both an ISDN number and an ISDN extension
will be dialed by appending the extension to the number separated by a
delimiter of ##.
•Recent Calls List - The list includes incoming calls that were not answered.
•New Security Features - New security setup options allow users to:
—Restrict SIP setup page access.
—Lock user settings and prevent factory default settings from being
restored inadvertently.
—Disable location profile settings.

Release Notes
Polycom PVX Version 8.0.2
3
•User Interface Improvements
—Enhanced full-screen video allows users to see the Toolbar and PIP
while showing full-screen video. In earlier versions, switching to
full-screen video disabled access to all other windows except the
video window, which had exclusive use of the desktop.
—For systems without a camera, a user-configurable image can be
displayed in the local video window.
—Users now have direct access to the camera, tone pad, and data
sharing controls from the main Toolbar.
—By using Location Profiles, users can better control multiple location
network settings.
•Additional Software Updates
—Users can disable the H.264 video algorithm on the Setup > Video
page.
—The default media port range was changed to 3230-3237.
—T.120 is disabled by default.
—The web management interface is no longer supported.

Release Notes
Polycom PVX Version 8.0.2
43725-22754-006/A
Hardware and Software Requirements
Windows® Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or later (recommended)
Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or later
Processor Webcam with computer processing (recommended)
H.263 People video only:
•1.0 GHz Intel® Pentium® 3
•1.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4
•900 MHz Intel Pentium M
•1800+ AMD™ Athlon™ XP
H.264 People video only:
•1.5 GHz Intel Pentium 4
•1.2 GHz Intel Pentium M
•1800+ AMD Athlon XP
People+Content:
•2.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4
•1.4 GHz Intel Pentium M
•1800+ AMD Athlon XP
ViaVideo I and ViaVideo II camera
H.263 People video only:
•800 MHz Intel Pentium® III
•Any Intel Pentium 4 or Intel Pentium M
•1800+ AMD Athlon XP
People+Content:
•1.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4
•900 MHz Intel Pentium M
•1800+ AMD Athlon XP
(Polycom PVX requires a processor that supports the Intel SSE™
processor extensions. SSE is not supported on the Pentium II
family or AMD Athlon CPUs prior to the Athlon XP.)
RAM 256 MB
Note: More RAM may be required for users running multiple
applications.
Video Memory Minimum requirement: 16 MB
Hard Drive Space 60 MB available (for Polycom PVX software)
USB Camera USB 1.x or 2.x webcam, ViaVideo, or ViaVideo II camera (USB
2.x webcam recommended)
(camera is optional for view-only calls)
Audio • Headphones
•Microphone - options include a headset or webcam with
built-in microphone or a standalone analog microphone.
•Computer speakers (external or internal)
•Speakers connected directly to ViaVideo
Monitor SVGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution
Network Access Broadband IP (64 kbps and above)

Release Notes
Polycom PVX Version 8.0.2
5
For information about setting up Polycom PVX for use with a ViaVideo or
ViaVideo II, see the documentation that came with the camera. For information
about setting up Polycom PVX for use with a webcam, see the documentation
that comes with the software.
Supported Audio Devices and Webcams
Polycom PVX software is tested extensively with a wide range of audio devices
and webcams. For a list of compatible devices and for important information
about factors you should consider when selecting your audio and video devices,
refer to the Selecting Audio and Video Devices for Use with Polycom PVX document,
available at
http://www.polycom.com/common/pw_item_show_doc/1,1276,4556,00.pdf.
SoundStation2 and SoundStation2W
To make calls with PVX using the Polycom SoundStation2™ or
SoundStation2W™, you need the Computer Calling Kit. For more information
about this kit, refer to the Selecting Audio and Video Devices for Use with Polycom
PVX document, available at
http://www.polycom.com/common/pw_item_show_doc/1,1276,4556,00.pdf.
System Performance
For systems with a ViaVideo or ViaVideo II camera, most of the media
processing is done by the camera. People+Content sharing requires computer
processing and, therefore, demands a higher performance processor. Systems
with a 1.2 GHz Pentium 4 or later can support People+Content. Content sharing
will benefit from additional CPU speed.
For systems with a webcam, all of the processing is done on the computer. There
are a wide range of computer performance levels. To optimize the video
experience on each system, a CPU resource manager within the Polycom PVX
software gauges the system performance and adjusts the media features
accordingly.
Microsoft Internet
Explorer® Version 6.0 or later
Windows Media
Player® Version 9.0 or later
Microsoft DirectX®
Software Version 9.0b or later

Release Notes
Polycom PVX Version 8.0.2
63725-22754-006/A
You can also adjust the way Polycom PVX allocates system resources between
PVX and other applications. To do this, on the Setup > General page, click
Performance. Choose one of these performance settings:
Factors Affecting Video
The video format in a call depends on many factors — both on the near-site
system and on the far-site system.
Some of the other factors that can affect the video format include:
•System processor and speed
•PVX settings under Setup > General > Performance
•PVX settings under Setup > Video
•Gatekeeper configuration under Setup > H.323
•Audio format
•Presence of content video (send or receive)
•Camera type
Camera Driver Load
The For the camera you have selected, specify the camera driver’s load on the
system setting on the Setup > Video > Advanced page allows you to configure
PVX properly, especially if you need to compensate for a higher CPU load
from the camera driver. This setting enables you to lower the estimated CPU
power by a fixed amount so you can enhance the quality of your PVX video.
The original video capture driver load for PVX is approximately 150 MHz
worth of CPU resources. Therefore, on a 1.5 GHz computer, the video capture
driver will use 10% of the CPU (you can check this using the Task Manager).
On a faster computer, the load will be less, such as 5% on a 3.0 GHz system.
Setting Description
Balanced Good video without too great an impact on general application
performance.
Other Applications More processing power for running critical applications while
reducing the processing allocated to people video and audio.
Polycom PVX Great audio and video while reducing the responsiveness of
other applications.

Release Notes
Polycom PVX Version 8.0.2
7
In the For the camera you have selected, specify the camera driver’s load on
the system field on the Setup > Video > Advanced page:
The following table lists some examples of what you should specify for the For
the camera you have selected, specify the camera driver’s load on the system
setting for some of the webcams supported by PVX:
Note that, for best performance, only one USB camera at a time should be
plugged into the computer.
If you select... Subtract this amount from your actual CPU speed...
Low None
Medium 200 MHz
High 600 MHz
For this camera... Select this setting...
AVerMedia® AVerTV™ GO 007 FM Plus PCI Low
Creative® WebCam Live!® Motion High
Creative WebCam Live! Pro Medium
GlobalMedia® IREZ™ KD 1394 Low
GlobalMedia iREZ K2 USB 2.0 Medium
Logitech® QuickCam® for
Notebooks Pro P/N 961398-04030 Driver version 9.5.0 High
P/N 961240-04030
Driver version 8.4.1 Medium
Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 Driver version 7.3.0 Low
Driver version 8.4.8 Low
Driver version 9.0.2 Medium
Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 Driver version 9.0.2 Low
Logitech QuickCam Fusion™ Driver version 9.0.2 Medium
Note: If the Logitech Audio Echo
Canceller (AEC) is enabled,
select High.
Logitech QuickCam Orbit MP Driver version 9.0.2 Medium
Veo™ Velocity Connect Medium
V-Stream TV2800 (V-Stream Xpert DVD Maker USB 2.0) Low

Release Notes
Polycom PVX Version 8.0.2
83725-22754-006/A
For important additional information about the camera driver load, refer to the
Selecting Audio and Video Devices for Use with Polycom PVX document, available at
http://www.polycom.com/common/pw_item_show_doc/1,1276,4556,00.pdf.
PVX 8.0.2 Processor/Bit-rate/Resolution Tables
The tables in this section provide overall targets for different computer processor
types and call speeds.
Keep the following in mind when viewing the tables:
•The values listed in the tables assume that PVX is set to Balanced on the
Setup > General > Performance page. If you select Other Applications on
this page, PVX will use less processing power; if you select Polycom PVX,
PVX will use more of the CPU. For more information, refer to System
Performance on page 5.
•The values listed are based on the Low camera driver load setting. To check
this setting, see the For the camera you have selected, specify the camera
driver’s load on the system field on the Setup > Video > Advanced page. If
your camera driver load setting is set to High or Medium, you must
manually compensate for the different setting as follows:
—If your camera driver load setting is set to High, subtract 600 MHz from
the speed shown. For example, if your system’s CPU speed is 2000 MHz,
subtract 600 MHz from that, for a total of 1400 MHz.
—If your camera driver load setting is set to Medium, subtract 200 MHz
from the speed shown. For example, if your system’s CPU speed is 2000
MHz, subtract 200 MHz from that, for a total of 1800 MHz.
For more information about the camera driver load, refer to the Selecting Audio
and Video Devices for Use with Polycom PVX document, available at
http://www.polycom.com/common/pw_item_show_doc/1,1276,4556,00.pdf.
•The values listed are set to maximize the video experience for a wide variety
of user situations and can change in each release.

Release Notes
Polycom PVX Version 8.0.2
9
H.264 People Video Receive
H.264 People Video Transmit with Smoother Motion (default)
Processor Resolution Options Maximum Receive People
Video Rate
Intel Pentium 4 1.5 GHz VGA/4@15 384 kbps
Intel Pentium M 1.8 GHz VGA/4@30 384 kbps
Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz
Intel Pentium M 1.4 GHz
AMD Athlon XP 1800+
VGA/4@30
VGA/2@15 1920 kbps
Intel Pentium 4 2.4 GHz VGA/4@30
VGA/2@15 1920 kbps
Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz
Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz (HTT) VGA/4@30 VGA/2@30
VGA@15
1920 kbps
Intel Pentium 4 3.6 GHz
Intel Pentium 4 3.4 GHz (HTT) VGA/4@30
VGA/2@30
VGA@30
1920 kbps
Processor Call Rates (kbps) Maximum
People
Video Rate
<128 128 - <256 256 - <512 512 - 1920
Intel Pentium 4
1.5 GHz VGA/4@15 VGA/4@15 VGA/4@15 N/A 384 kbps
Intel Pentium 4
1.8 GHz VGA/4@30 VGA/4@30 VGA/4@30 N/A 384 kbps
Intel Pentium 4
2.0 GHz
Intel Pentium M
1.4 GHz
AMD Athlon XP
1800+
VGA/4@30 VGA/4@30 VGA/4@30 VGA/4@30 1920 kbps
Intel Pentium 4
2.4 GHz VGA/4@30 VGA/4@30 VGA/4@30 VGA/4@30 1920 kbps
Intel Pentium 4
3.2 GHz
Intel Pentium 4
2.8 GHz (HTT)
VGA/4@30 VGA/4@30 VGA/2@30 VGA/2@30 1920 kbps
Intel Pentium 4
3.6 GHz
Intel Pentium 4
3.4 GHz (HTT)
VGA/4@30 VGA/4@30 VGA/2@30 VGA@30 1920 kbps

Release Notes
Polycom PVX Version 8.0.2
10 3725-22754-006/A
H.264 People Video Transmit with Sharper Image
In the tables above:
•VGA/4 is 320x240 (or CIF/SIF for interop)
•VGA/2 is 320x480 (or 2CIF/2SIF for interop)
•VGA is 640x480 (or 4CIF/4SIF for interop)
•Processors are Pentium 4 or Pentium 4 with HTT
H.263 People Video
H.263+ video is scaled in a similar way to H.264. However, it is not as efficient
and it is not used at any call rate unless H.264 is disabled on PVX or the far site
does not support H.264.
For example:
•On a 2.4 GHz Pentium 4, PVX will support 1920 kbps VGA/4@30fps
•On a 3.6 GHz Pentium 4, PVX will support 1920 kbps VGA@30fps
Processor Call Rates (kbps) Maximum
People
Video Rate
<128 128 - <256 256 - <512 512 - 1920
Intel Pentium 4
1.5 GHz VGA/4@15 VGA/4@15 VGA/4@15 N/A 384 kbps
Intel Pentium 4
1.8 GHz VGA/4@30 VGA/4@30 VGA/4@30 N/A 384 kbps
Intel Pentium 4
2.0 GHz
Intel Pentium M
1.4 GHz
AMD Athlon XP
1800+
VGA/4@30 VGA/2@15 VGA/2@15 VGA/2@15 1920 kbps
Intel Pentium 4
2.4 GHz VGA/4@30 VGA/2@15 VGA/2@15 VGA/2@15 1920 kbps
Intel Pentium 4
3.2 GHz
Intel Pentium 4
2.8 GHz (HTT)
VGA/4@30 VGA/2@15 VGA@15 VGA@15 1920 kbps
Intel Pentium 4
3.6 GHz
Intel Pentium 4
3.4 GHz (HTT)
VGA/4@30 VGA/2@15 VGA@15 VGA@30 1920 kbps