Polycom VIEWSTATION EX User Manual

Release Notes

ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000
Version 6.0.4

Polycom is pleased to announce the release of ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and
VS4000, version 6.0.4.

The ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000 systems provide natural video
conferencing interaction through the most advanced video communications technology,
with

 High-quality video
 Crystal-clear audio
 Enhanced security options

This document provides the latest information about version 6.0.4 software for
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000 systems.

Topics

Page

What’s New in This Release?....................................................................................................... 1

State-of-the-Art Feature Review.................................................................................................. 2

Superior Video with Support for the H.264 Standard ...................................................... 2

AES Encryption Support....................................................................................................... 2

Easy System Configuration and Management................................................................... 3

Easy Software Updates and Upgrades................................................................................ 3

Interoperability.............................................................................................................................. 4

Feature Limitations ....................................................................................................................... 7

Upgrade Details............................................................................................................................. 9

Where to Get the Latest Product Information......................................................................... 10

What’s New in This Release?

Necessary changes in the Viewstation hardware cause a minor difference in operation
when using the snapshot features. All snapshot capabilities remain consistent, but in
certain cases, the video preview prior to capturing the snapshot may be passed on to the
far site. See the feature limitations section for details.

3725-21815-005/A

Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4

State-of-the-Art Feature Review

Superior Video with Support for the H.264 Standard

 The H.264 standard provides 15 fps video at line rates below 192 Kbps and 30 fps

at line rates from 192 to 384 Kbps. H.264 video is supported in both IP and ISDN
calls.

 Available as an option for existing systems. For information about adding the

H.264 option to currently deployed systems, please contact your Polycom
distributor.

 Interoperates with other systems using H.264 standard implementations.

 You can configure the system to use standards-based 50/60 fields video 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.

AES Encryption Support

Features of the encryption option include:

 Standards-based encryption at all speeds up to 2Mbps, in IP and ISDN calls.

 On-screen indicators show whether encryption is in use during calls.

 Automatic encryption of point-to-point and multipoint calls is available.

 Support for People+Content calls. Video and graphics streams are both

encrypted.

 ITU standard key exchange and key management.

 Support for 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 for IP networks and
the H.233/H.234 standard for ISDN networks.

 Interoperates with VSX, iPower, and MGC.

 Interoperates with other systems using the H.233/H.234/H.235 (version 3)

standard encryption implementation.

For information about purchasing the encryption option, please contact your

Polycom distributor.

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Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4

Easy System Configuration and Management

 The Address Book Utility is available through the web interface. This utility

allows the system administrator to

 back up systems’ address books in a central location,
 edit address books, and
 distribute the same address book to several systems.

 System administrators can make chair control functionality inaccessible to users

remotely using the PMAC application.

 IP systems can be configured to get the time from a time server. This allows the

system to record call times accurately in the CDR if the time server is available.

 The alternate gatekeeper feature allows the ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, or

VS4000 system to dynamically update its configured gatekeeper IP address when
the gatekeeper changes IP address (for example, when a system administrator
redirects network traffic to a different gatekeeper during maintenance and
service).

 System administrators can set QoS values (IP precedence or DiffServ) separately

for video, audio, and far-site camera control.

 Third-party applications for using and managing the systems require the same

passwords as the ViewStation web interface.

Easy Software Updates and Upgrades

The ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000 systems include 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

http://extranet.polycom.com 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.

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Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4

Interoperability

The following table lists equipment that has been tested with the ViewStation EX,
ViewStation FX, and VS4000 systems.

Manufacturer Model Version

H.320 Endpoint Interoperability

iPower 600 Series 5.0, 5.3, and 6.0

iPower 900 Series 5.0, 5.3, and 6.0.1

iPower 9000 Series 5.0, 5.3, and 6.0.1

Polycom VSX Series 5.0 and later

Sony PCS6000 5.01

Sony PCS-1 2.01

Tandberg 1000 B7.1

Tandberg 6000 B7.1 and E3.1

Tandberg 800 B7.1

Tandberg 880 E3.1

VCON Media Connect 8000 4.6

Aethra Vega Star Gold 4.01

H.323 Endpoint Interoperability

Microsoft NetMeeting 3.0

Microsoft NetMeeting 3.01

iPower 600 Series 5.0 and 5.3

iPower 900 Series 5.0 and 5.3

iPower 9000 Series 5.0 and 5.3

Polycom VSX Series 5.0 and later

Sony PCS6000 5.01

Sony PCS-1 2.01

Tandberg 1000 B7.1

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