NEC 128 User Manual
VisuaLink 128/384
General Description
NEC America Inc.
July, 1998
Stock # 0293739
NDA-24229, Issue 1
LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
NEC America, Inc. reserves the right to change the
specifications, functions, or features, at any time, without notice.
NEC America, Inc. has prepared this document for the
exclusive use by its employees and customers. The information
contained herein is the property of NEC America, Inc. and shall
not be reproduced without prior written approval from
NEC America, Inc.
NEAX and D
term
are registered trademarks of NEC Corporation.
Copyright 1998
NEC America, Inc.
Printed in USA
All other brand or product names are or may be trademarks or
registered trademarks of, and are used to identify products or
services of, their respective owners.
Contents
i
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
VisuaLink Documentation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Application Configurations . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Roll-About. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Desktop PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Gateway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Technical Description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Video & Audio Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Echo Canceller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
H.320 Codec. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
System Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Line Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
...more on H.320 Videoconferencing . . . . . 3-4
Installation & Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Installation Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Maintenance Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
VisuaLink 128/384 General Description
ii Contents
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
General Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Operating Modes & Features . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
VisuaLink 128/384 General Description
Introduction
Overview
1-1
In today’s fast paced business climate
information is a critical resource in every successful organization.
Often, this information must be communicated face-to-face. However,
with busy schedules and remote locations, getting everyone together
for a conference can be difficult and expensive. NEC’s VisuaLink
products can bring everyone together with an easy and cost affordable
solution.
Visu aLink se ts new st andards
high-end features for about one-fifth the price of other systems.
VisuaLink makes videoconferencing practical, easy, and cost effective.
Now, moving information between individuals or groups located inhouse or in remote locations is no longer a problem. VisuaLink
provides a dynamic solution to deliver video/audio information at the
speed of light.
VisuaLink 128 and VisuaLink 384
videoconferencing Codecs that become the heart of a
videoconference system. VisuaLink 128 supports a single 128 Kbps
BRI connection (upgradable to 384 Kbps). The VisuaLink 384
supports 384 Kbps, using three BRI connections.
These all-in-one units
up and running in seconds. They connect to most televisions or
monitors and can be used with a wide variety of cameras,
microphones and other audio/video systems.
use advanced plug-and-play technology to get
in group videoconferencing delivering
, timely access to accurate
are lightweight, fully integrated
VisuaLink 128/384 General Description
NEC videoconferencing solutions
that provide organizations the ability to address issues and respond to
opportunities more quickly. More people can be effectively involved to
facilitate a more open and collaborative working environment. NEC is
the only vendor who provides products for the full range of
videoconferencing-- from rollabout systems and broadcasting
equipment to the newest compact videoconference systems.
are powerful productivity tools
1-2 Introduction
Features
• single compact unit
• weighs less than 5 lbs.(3 Kg)
• use with most vendor
peripherals
VisuaLink incorporates features for today’s high performance
technologies while making a videoconference system easy and cost
effective to operate.
Total Integration
VisuaLink is a self-contained unit. It integrates hardware and software
into one small easy to use box. VisuaLink is easy to setup and likewise
easy to troubleshoot any connection problems.
Portability
VisuaLink 128 and VisuaLink 384 are compact units, weighing less
than five pounds (3 Kg). Small enough to fit inside an attache or
computer case, they have the durability to withstand the rigors of
regular travel. This makes them ideal companions for demos,
business trips, and off-site meetings.
Plug & Play Technology
VisuaLink systems use Plug & Play technology employing simple
generic interfaces. This makes for easy connections to almost any
brand of cameras, microphones, and other audio/video components.
There is no need for any special equipment with VisuaLink, only a
standard ISDN BRI line connection.
• buttons for calling and hang-up
are color coded for quick
access
• configuration startup menus for
both network and VisuaLink
configurations
The VisuaLink systems use industry standard connections for NTSC
composite video inputs/outputs (RCA pin), S-Video inputs/outputs
(DIN4), and modular jacks (RJ-45) for BRI interfaces. Color-coded
connectors for the video and audio with a clearly labeled unit back
panel. It takes only seconds to connect all peripheral devices to
VisuaLink.
Wireless Remote
The VisuaLink hand-held remote control (infrared) provides access to
all functions with a simple button touch. The remote can control all
VisuaLink connections/di s co nnec tions , con fer enc e opera tions, and
environment settings.
On-Screen Displays
The on-screen messages and icon driven menus make it easy for
anyone to operate VisuaLink. Just point the VisuaLink remote and
follow the messages and menus on the video display. No special video
training is needed.
VisuaLink 128/384 General Description
•VoicePoint+ connectivity for
ease of dialing
•local-end can set far-end
presets
Introduction 1-3
Phone-Like Dialing
For those not wanting to dial using the VisuaLink remote, an NEC
VoicePoint+ can be connected to the VisuaLink. (The VoicePoint+ is a
tabletop speakerphone unit for conferencing; providing standard
keypad, built-in microphone and speaker.) With a VoicePoint+, dialing
is as easy as placing a regular phone call. A standard analog phone
set can also be used with VisuaLink.
To make dialing even easier, VisuaLink provides 130 speed-dial
settings. Up to 130 most often used numbers for a videoconference
can be preset in VisuaLink. For easy redial, 20 redial numbers are
automatically stored for both incoming and outgoing calls
Camera Control
Nine different camera presets can be stored in VisuaLink. The presets
allow camera position (pan & tilt), framing (zoom), and automatic focus
for various positions in a videoconference. To make this easier,
camera presets are stored under identifiable names. With this
capability, each preset can store different camera settings matched to
each named individual in the conference.
A standard feature of VisuaLink is camera voice tracking. Voice
tracking automatically moves the camera to the person speaking by
using one of the camera presets. Voice tracking automatically detects
the audio from a person (from one of three microphones) and selects
the preset stored for that person. The camera will then pan, tilt, zoom,
and focus (using the preset) to show the person speaking. No longer is
a videoconference technician needed to operate a camera controller
or video switcher.
•connect up to 3 microphones
•settings for higher frame rate
for smoother motion, or
lower frame rate for higher
resolution
Echo Canceller
Voice quality is an important component in videoconferencing. Users
will tolerate degraded video, but not degraded audio. The echo
canceller improves audio voice quality by eliminating signal echo from
long line communications and clipping caused by some narrow band
systems.
H.320 Videoconferencing Compliance
VisuaLink is designed to the International Telecommunications Union
(ITU-T) H.320 standard for videoconferencing. Many claim to support
this standard, but few products support all options of H.320.
VisuaLink is designed to fully support the H.320 standard. This overall
standard includes the new option H.263 video standard for higher
resolution low bandwidth processing; and the H.261 video standard for
lower resolution high bandwidth processing (for compatibility with
older systems). Also supported are the standards G.711, G.722, and
G.728 for the audio element of videoconferencing.
VisuaLink incorporates the latest H.320 technology available and
provides backward compatibility in one compact unit. (For additional
information on H.320, see Part 3 of this manual:
- more on H.320 Videoconferencing
.)
Technical Description
VisuaLink 128/384 General Description
1-4 Introduction
• same software used for both
128 & 384 units
• NT1 is not needed
Field Upgradable
Often, keeping up with technology can be a full-time job in itself.
Whenever a vendor releases a new software update, you must wait for
it to arrive by mail or download patches from a Web site. But this
requires time, effort, and expertise.
Software in the VisuaLink 128 and VisuaLink 384 units can be
upgraded by the user from anywhere. With the “Visual Connect”
technology, downloading new software updates is as easy as placing
a video call over an ISDN line. Just place a video call from anywhere
into the NEC server system. The server takes it from there-performing the download and verifying the integrity of both the
software and the VisuaLink unit. There are no options to select and no
technical knowledge required. In a matter of minutes, VisuaLink is upto-date and ready to go.
In addition to software upgrades, the hardware to upgrade a VisuaLink
128 to a VisuaLink 384 can also be performed in the field. (Refer to the
VisuaLink Quick Inst al lat ion Guid e
upgrade procedure.)
, Stock # 0293885 for the simple
PBX Connectivity
VisuaLink is totally compatible with NEC NEAX2400 IMX and NEAX
2000 PBX systems. VisuaLink uses a simple BRI interface connection
with these PBX systems. Interface with an NEAX PBX does not
require an NT1 device.
VisuaLink 128/384 General Description
Applications
The Videoconferencing market is growing rapidly with the more widely
available ISDN network and cost effective vi deocon fer en cing uni ts
such as VisuaLink. Videoconferencing is being adapted to a wide
variety of applications.
General Business
•
videoconferencing between distant sites. New opportunities are
possible, especially for small groups of people where
videoconferencing was too complex or costly before. Smaller
project meetings and reviews could now use videoconferencing.
Project members or staff “on-the road” could participate using their
Laptop PCs (with VisuaLink, video capture card, camera, and BRI
interface).
Education
•
instruction, special needs tutoring, at-home corporate training,
remote product training, and remote technical assistance for
product maintenance.
Remote Interactive Kiosk
•
retail, remote site-seeing guides, remote consultation, remote
convention & trade show expertise and presentations.
Introduction 1-5
provides many applications for
provides significant opportunities for in-home
is possible for public offices, consumer
Telemedicine
•
senior citizens or the mobility impaired. Remote medical training for
hard-to-get-to locations or smaller medical centers.
New Applications - New Markets
•
realized with VisuaLink. VisuaLink compact systems can be setup
at any location for presentations and interactive communications. It
can instantly bring in experts (from back home) to help the sales
force at a remote convention.
The following diagrams illustrate some of the various uses for
VisuaLink videoco nferencing.
creates the opportunity for in-home care giver to
will now be opened and
VisuaLink 128/384 General Description
1-6 Introduction
ISD N
BRI
Product Training / Marketing Presentations
Telemedicine / Remote Medical Training
ISD N
BRI
Conference Room
Personal Desktop
Shared Desk
ISDN
BRI
NEC Multipoint Control Unit
VisuaLink 128/384 Point-to-Point Applications
NEC VisuaLink brings a whole new category of portable and easy to
use videoconferencing systems. Point-to-point applications such as
remote presentations and remote medical expertise are possible with
VisuaLink
VisuaLink 128/384 Multi-Point Applications
VisuaLink provides a more economical solution to bring together
shared desk, personal desktop and conference room users, no matter
where the location. With VisuaLink, camera, microphone, and a BRI
interface, a conference can be “Ready-to-Go” easily and quickly for
organizations that could not afford it before.
VisuaLink 128/384 General Description
VisuaLink Documentation
Additional information on VisuaLink can be found in the following NEC
publications:
VisuaLink User Manual
•
VisuaLink Quick Installation Guide
•
VisuaLink Engineering Guide
•
Consult these documents for additional user, installation, and technical
information.
Introduction 1-7
, Stock # 0293884
, Stock # 0293885
, Stock # 0293886
VisuaLink 128/384 General Description
1-8 Introduction
VisuaLink 128/384 General Description
Application Configurations
VisuaLink is the heart of a videoconferencing system. The compact
VisuaLink unit can be configured with a variety of peripheral
equipment to address most any videoconferencing need.
Three configurations best use the VisuaLink technology to provide
solutions to business videoconferencing:
• Roll-About
• Desktop PC
• Gateway
These application configurations allow a business to provide
videoconferencing from the individual desktop to enterprise-wide. The
next sections describe these application configurations.
2-1
VisuaLink 128/384 General Description
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