Videoconference: Test and comparison of 7 programs

PVX has used the H.323 communication protocol which carries the audio and video over IP with the H.264 video encoding. This is a “serious” program which is aimed more at companies who are looking to make telecommuting a reality. You can have videoconference with members of your local are network (Intranet) or with anyone in the world (Internet) in either a defined window, full screen mode or a custom size. The program works perfectly well, even from behind a NAT, which is automatically detected.

To add a contact, you will need to know the other contacts IP address, which will then make the recording of this contact in an address book easier (something which those without fixed IP’s will appreciate…).
Of the interesting functions, we can point out the PIP (Picture in Picture) which is like on the televisions, allowing you to see different the video conference while also watching a video message for example. .

Thanks to the included Video mail module, an email containing a link to the *.ASF stream will be sent directly to the person you are trying to contact.  The quality of the audio is at 14 kHz, which is quite correct.

You should be aware that not all webcams are supported by Polycom PVX and some will even take up a lot of the CPU’s resources (see the compatibility list). Nevertheless, you will be fine with the Logitech and Creative range of products.

In the end this is an excellent product for less then $250, which is a negligible amount of money for a company.


Developer: Polycom, Inc.
Version: 8.02
Site: www.polycom.com