Sony PCS-G50P User Manual

Video Communication System

PCS-G50
PCS-G50P

Sony PCS-G50*1– The Business Tool for
Visual Communication

To stay ahead of the pack in today’s tough market, businesses require powerful visual
communication tools like the PCS-G50. Sony has combined advanced audio and video
technologies with useful features to provide a visual communication tool for all businesses.
With the PCS-G50, long distance meetings can be held as if all parties were in the same
room, saving the time and trouble of traveling to distant locations for a simple meeting.
Providing you with a new and powerful means of communication, the PCS-G50 will be a
mainstay for your business.

The PCS-G50 boasts a maximum video transfer rate of 4 Mb/s over an IP network, and it
provides extremely high resolution video. By adopting the H.263 video codec/4CIF format,
the PCS-G50 produces image resolution comparable to that of standard TV broadcasts. It can
also switch to the H.264 video codec for higher throughput or revert to previous versions of
the ITU-T videoconferencing codecs to maintain compatibility with legacy systems.

As with other PCS Series models, the PCS-G50, with its internal MCU (Multi-Control Unit)
capability, supports simultaneous multi-point videoconferences with six (6) endpoints, and a
maximum of 10 endpoints when two PCS-G50 units are cascaded. The PCS-G50 bridges
mixed calls between an ISDN network and an IP network, and speed matches (by connecting
at the endpoint respective speeds) without lowering the performance of the entire system.

Other key features of the PCS-G50 include a site-name display function and the capability to
record audio and video to Memory Stick™ media. The PCS-G50 also incorporates features
such as data sharing, QoS support functions, an encryption function, and digital whiteboard
support, which are all available in other PCS Series models.

Effective visual communication is vital to move ahead in today’s business. With the feature­rich PCS-G50, not only will your visual communication be effective, it will be affordable.

*1Unless otherwise noted, "PCS-G50" in the following text refers to both the PCS-G50 and PCS-G50P.

2

FEATURES

IP

PCS-1

ISDN

ISDN

ISDN

IP

IP

IP

IP

IP

PCS-G50

PCS-TL50 PCS-TL50

PCS-1

PCS-1

PCS-G50

PCS-TL50

PCS-G70

PCS-G70

SYDNEY

BEIJING

BERLIN

TOKYO LONDON NEW YORK

High-Quality Video/High-Speed
Network Connection

The PCS-G50 provides excellent picture quality over
both ISDN (H.320) and IP (H.323) networks and fully
supports the latest non-proprietary ITU-T H.264 video
codec standard for maximum customer confidence
and flexibility. When video encoding is in accordance
with the H.263 protocol, the PCS-G50 supports the
4CIF format at a maximum frame rate of 30 fps, and
when in H.264 protocol, it supports the interlaced SIF
format at 60 fields per second.
PCS-G50 can achieve a maximum bandwidth of 4
Mb/s with an IP connection, and up to 768 Kb/s with
an ISDN connection using an optional PCSA-B768S
ISDN unit. This combination of high-quality codec
and high-speed network support provides video
quality comparable to standard TV broadcasts.

*2

The PCS-G50P supports a maximum of 50 fields per
second in interlaced SIF format.

Multi-Point Videoconferencing at up
to 10 Sites Fig 1

*2

In addition, the

Using optional MCU software, the PCS-G50 can be
configured to communicate with up to 5 remote
videoconferencing sites (6 sites total) simultaneously
using either an IP (H.323 protocol) or ISDN (H.320
protocol) connection. It can also support
videoconferences in which the connections are a
combination of IP and ISDN using a unique bridging
function. And because the PCS-G50 has a
“speedmatching” function, it maximizes performance
by not reducing the higher speed connection to
match the lower speed connection, as is done with
some videoconferencing systems. Moreover, two
PCS-G50 units - each installed with the optional
MCU (H.323) software - can be cascaded with an IP
connection to support a maximum of 10
simultaneous sites. What is unique about the
PCS-G50 is that it provides high quality, H.264 CIF
video and clear MPEG-4 AAC audio, even in a multi­point videoconference. And of course, the PCS-G50
allows users to expand from a peer-to-peer
videoconference to a multi-point videoconference by
simply dialing up new connections.

*3

When adding a new endpoint on the same network (IP or
ISDN), the system will default to the lowest resolution
video standard of all endpoints.

*3

Site-Name Display Fig 2

During multi-point videoconferences, it can be difficult
to keep track of all of the participants; however, with
the PCS-G50 site-name display function, this is no
longer the case. The PCS-G50 can display anything
from company or branch names to geographical
locations on a monitor, allowing videoconference
participants to keep track of all parties.

Fig 1 Multi-point Videoconferencing at up to 10 Sites

Fig 2 Site-Name Display

3

FAR 3FAR 2FAR 1

FAR 4

NEAR

FAR 5

FAR 3NEARFAR 1

FAR 4

FAR 5

FAR 2

Flexible Display Patterns at all Sites

In addition to conventional patterns of display – such
as showing the far-end site on a full screen or
displaying near-end and far-end sites in picture-in­picture mode – a variety of other display patterns are
available with the PCS-G50. Supporting both
4-screen and 6-screen continuous-presence modes,
the PCS-G50 can display the most appropriate
pattern to match the number of sites that are
connected. In both full-screen and continuous­presence modes, the following two display options
are available:

Voice Switching

The PCS-G50 defaults to voice switching, which
displays the far-end site that is actively talking on the
monitor when the unit is in full-screen mode. In
continuous-presence mode, the site that is actively
speaking is displayed on the largest of the six sub
screens, and the near-end site is displayed on the sub
screen where the original far-end site was.

Fixed Site Fig 3

As its name suggests, the selected far-end site is
continuously displayed on the monitor when the unit is
in full-screen mode. In continuous-presence mode the
selected far-end site is displayed in the largest of the six
sub screens, and the other sites are fixed as well.

If FAR 5 is talking If FAR 2 is talking

Fig 3 Voice Switching in Continuous Presence Mode

Audiovisual (A/V) Recording to
Memory Stick™ Media

Capturing audio and video during a videoconference
is important to keep a record of what was conveyed
during a conference. With the PCS-G50, audio and
video displayed on the main monitor can be
recorded
MPEG-4 format and can be played back on any PC
using QuickTime

*4

*4

directly to Memory Stick™ media in

®

media player.

AV recording is not supported when AES is active. Also,
graphical data cannot be recorded.

Data-Sharing Capabilities/Digital
Whiteboard Support

Data originated on your PC can be shared with your
videoconferencing counterparts, making
communication even more effective. Any image that
can be displayed on a PC can be sent or received

*5

native XGA resolution, allowing all parties to share
data during a videoconference. In addition,
information drawn up on a digital whiteboard

*6

can
also be viewed in real time by all parties participating
in a videoconference or captured and stored for later
reference.

*5

Sending data requires the optional PCSA-DSB1S Data
Solution Box (DSB); however, the DSB is not required for
receiving data

*6

Please contact your local Sony sales office for information
on compatible digital whiteboards.

Superb Sound Fig 4

The PCS-G50 reproduces clear and natural-sounding
audio using MPEG-4 AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)
at 14 KHz. A built-in echo cancellation system
minimizes unwanted echoes during a
videoconference.

The PCS-G50 is also compatible with a number of
SONY external microphones and speakers, including
unidirectional and omnidirectional models.
Professional A/V integrators will particularly
appreciate the power and flexibility of this system to
be customized for best application match.

For exceptional sound quality in rooms with
conference tables in a U-shape or in a classroom
layout, the optional unidirectional PCSA-A7
microphone is ideal. Up to 40 units can be daisy
chained to ensure that all participants sitting near a
microphone can be heard.

To ensure clear sound quality in meeting rooms with
as many as 20 participants at a round or oval-shaped
table, the optional CTE-600 Communication
Transducer is ideal. The CTE-600 is comprised of six
radially arranged unidirectional microphones and one
omnidirectional speaker. The system is designed to
pick up the active speaker's voice while minimizing
background noise, and to project clear sound quality
in all directions. Up to 4 CTE-600 Communication
Transducers can be cascaded using the optional
CTE-A10 Expansion Adaptor.

Stylish Design

With its elegant design and optional stands for both
the camera unit and the codec unit, the PCS-G50
can fit into even the classiest of conference rooms.

in

4

Fig 4 Superb Sound

PCSA-A7 (U-Shaped Conferenence Table)

Easy-to-Use Remote Commander
Unit/Intuitive GUI

The PCS-G50 has a number of
features that make it easy to
operate. The cursor keys on the
Remote Commander unit can be
used to select and call any one of
three contacts, which are pre­programmed and displayed in the
Launcher Menu. Up to 500
contacts can be stored in the
PCS-G50 common address book for
quick and easy dialing. In addition,
the unit supports a call history log,
which stores the last 32 incoming
and outgoing calls so that the user
can readily select and dial a recent
contact.

Remote Commander Unit

PCSA-A7 (Classroom Layout)

CTE-600 (Oval-Shaped Conference Table)

Launcher Menu

Phone Book

5

PCS-1/1P

PCS-1/1P

PCS-G50

IP NETWORK

ISDN

PCSA-B768S

Digital Whiteboard

Monitor

PCS-A1

Speakers

PCS-G50

Camera

Camera

PCS-TL50

PCSA-B768S

PCS-11/11P

PCSA-B384S

PCSA-DSB1S

PC

PC

CTE-600

Monitor

Memory Stick™ Support

*7

Private phone books can be created and stored on

Memory Stick media. By simply inserting the
Memory Stick media into the PCS-G50, the unit

automatically recognizes and activates the private
phone book, thereby eliminating the need to re-enter
contact information to place a call. Memory Stick
media has a number of other uses, such as storing
captured images, PC-generated data, and digital
whiteboard drawings. The media can also be used for
installing and updating software.

*7

In addition to Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO

Memory Stick DUO

TM

with an adaptor can be used.

TM

and

Secure Videoconferencing – Advanced
Encryption Standard (AES)

Secure videoconferencing over a network is possible
because the PCS-G50 supports AES Encryption, a NIST
(National Institute of Standards and Technology)
standard for encrypting electronic data used in
commercial applications including
telecommunications. When a videoconference is
initiated with the AES feature active, video, audio,
and graphics are encrypted for the duration of the
videoconference. Because of this feature, companies
can hold sensitive meetings, negotiations, and other
similar interactions with confidence that they will not
be compromised.

QoS (Quality of Service)
Enhancement Functions

When holding a videoconference over a network, a
common concern is how to maintain video and audio
quality when the performance of the network is
changing. The PCS-G50 provides three advanced
functions to enhance QoS over a network:

Forward Error Correction (FEC)

The PCS-G50 employs an FEC function that corrects
errors in transmission at the receiving end. If a
transmission error occurs, the PCS-G50 can repair the
data and accurately reproduce the original audio and
video.

Adaptive Rate Control (ARC)

The adaptive rate control function automatically
varies the video data transfer rate to meet changing
network conditions. It also selects the most
appropriate frame rates, which helps prevent audio
and video breakup.

Real-time Auto Repeat Request (ARQ)

The real-time ARQ function recovers lost IP packets.
This is achieved by buffering the packets at the
encoder and resending any that are lost. This feature
helps maintain audio and video quality, and helps
prevent picture collapse even under high network
traffic conditions.

SAMPLE SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

6

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

PCSA-DSB1S

Data Solution Box

PCSA-SP1

SIP Software

CTE-600

Communication Transducer

PCSA-B768S

ISDN Unit (6 BRI)

PCSA-A7

Echo-cancelling Microphone
(4 mics per package)

EVI-D70/EVI-D70P

Communication
Video Camera (white)

PCSA-B384S

ISDN Unit (3 BRI)

PCS-A1

Omnidirectional Microphone

EVI-D70/EVI-D70P

Communication
Video Camera (black)

PCSA-M0G50

H.320 MCU Software

PCSA-M3G50

H.323 MCU Software

PCSA-A3

Unidirectional Microphone

EVI-D100/EVI-D100P

Communication
Video Camera

CTE-A10

Expansion Adaptor

PCSA-STMG70

Codec Stand

PCSA-STCG70

Camera Stand

7

SPECIFICATIONS

Video

Signal system PCS-G50: NTSC

Standards H.261 (Annex D), H.263 (Annex D,F), H.263+ (Annex J), H.263++

Resolution SQCIF (128 x 96, reception only), QCIF (176 x 144),

Frame rate Max. 30 frames/s (H.261,H.263, H.263+, H.263++,H.264, and

Bit rate Up to 4 Mb/s in H.323 (Incl. audio)**

Audio

Bandwidth and coding G.711: 3.4 kHz at 56/64 Kb/s

Echo cancellation Noise Suppressor included

Graphics

XGA 1024 pixels x 768 lines (H.263), with PCSA-DSB1S
4CIF 704 pixels x 576 lines (H.261 Annex D and H.263)

Picture in Picture

Sub screen size 4.3" (256 x 192), One of four corners

ITU-T Standards (excludes audio/video standards)

Network Protocols

Multipoint Capabilities

Lip Synchronization

Camera Unit

Image device 1/4 type CCD
Horizontal resolution NTSC: 470 TV lines, PAL: 460 TV lines
Focal length 3.1 to 31 mm (F1.8 to 2.9)
Focus Auto/Manual
IRIS Auto
Zoom ratio x10 Optical zoom (x40 with digital zoom)
Pan angle -100° to +100° (Max. 100°/sec)
Tilt angle -25° to +25° (Max. 125°/sec)
Preset Up to 6 positions
S/N More than 50 dB
Others Back light compensation

PCS-G50P: PAL

(Annex U,W), H.264, MPEG-4 SP@L3, H.239 Video and Presentation
Data Support*

CIF (352 x 288), 4CIF (704 x 576, H.263 only), Interlaced SIF
(H.263, H.264 only)

MPEG-4 SP@L3)
Interlaced SIF Mode (PCS-G50: 60 fields/s, PCS-G50P: 50 fields/s)

Up to 768 Kb/s in H.320 (Incl. audio) when configured with the
PCSA-B768S
Up to 384 Kb/s in H.320 (Incl. audio) when configured with the
PCSA-B384S

G.722: 7.0 kHz at 48/56/64 Kb/s
G.722.1: 7.0 kHz at 24/32 Kb/s (H.323)
G.728: 3.4 kHz at 16 Kb/s
G.723.1: 3.4 kHz at 5.3/6.3 Kb/s (H.323)
G.729: 3.4 kHz at 8 Kb/s (H.323)
MPEG-4 AAC (mono) 14 kHz at 64/96 Kb/s (H.323)

Automatic Gain Control included

H.320, H.323
H.221
Bonding
H.281 FECC
H.225.0
H.242
H.243
H.245
T.120

TELNET (Server)
HTTP (Server)
FTP (Server)
SNMP (Agent)
DNS (Client)
DHCP (Client)
RTP/RTCP
TCP/UDP
ARP
SIP

Up to 6 sites (H.320/H.323)***
Up to 10 sites (H.320/H.323)****

Manual On/Off

Auto white balance

at 48 Kb/s (H.320)

Remote Commander

Format Wireless SIRCS

Interfaces (Communication Terminal)

Video D-Sub 15-pin Dedicated Camera I/F x1

Audio Line input RCA

Network 10Base-T/100Base-TX

Control SIRCS IR Out x2

DSB I/F Dedicated D-Sub 15
RGB I/F RGB output
Memory Stick Memory Stick slot
Digital whiteboard Dedicated connector

Interfaces (Camera Unit)

Video IR for DS150
Terminal Dedicated 23-pin
AUX camera 8-pin Mini-DIN

General

Operating temperature 5 °C to 35 °C
Operating humidity 30% to 70%
Storage temperature -20 °C to +55 °C
Storage humidity 25% to 75%
Power Requirements PCS-G50: AC 120 V, 50/60 Hz,

Power Consumption DC 19.5 V, 5 A
Communication Terminal 420 x 66 x 256 mm (16
Dimensions (W x H x D) excl. projections
Camera Unit 131 x 141 x 130 mm (5
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Remote Commander 47 x 43 x 195 mm (1
Dimensions (W x H x D) excl. projections
Communication Terminal 4.6 kg (10 lbs 2 oz)
Mass
Camera Unit 1.0 kg (2 lbs 3 oz)
Mass
Remote Commander 180 g (6.3 oz), incl. batteries
Mass

System Components and Supplied Accessories

Communication Terminal
Camera Unit (includes dedicated 3 m camera cable)
Remote Commander
AC Adaptor/Power Cord
Omnidirectional Microphone
IR Repeater x2
Manganese Battery for Remote Commander x2
Operation Manual CD-ROM (Japanese, English,French, Spanish,Italian, German, Portugese,
Simplified Chinese)
Operation Guide
Quick Connection Guide
Cable Connection Guide
Worldwide Warranty Booklet
Audio Cable (1.0 m)
S-Video Cable (1.5 m)
Mini DIN 7-pin to RCA Conversion Connector

* The optional PCSA-DSB1S Data Solution Box is required to send presentation data.
** When the H.261 video standard is used, up to 2 Mb/s is supported.
*** Requires optional MCU software. IP/ISDN Bridging is possible.
**** Requires optional MCU software. Connections between base units must be IP (H.323).

IP/ISDN Bridging is possible.

S-video or Composite input x1
(switchable with conversion connector)
S-video output x2 (for main/sub monitor)
Composite output (AUX)
RGB output

AUX input RCA (bypassess echo cancellor)
External analog microphone input, Mini-jack (Plug in power) x2
External digital microphone input x2
Line output RCA x2 (one mixed output)

External ISDN Unit I/F

Wired SIRCS In (Control-S)
RS-232C

PCS-G50P: AC 220 V to 240 V, 50/60 Hz

5

/8 x 2 5/8 x 10 1/8 inches),

1

/4 x 5 5/8 x 5 1/8), excl. projections

7

/8 x 1 3/4 x 7 3/4 inches),

Distributed by

MK10273V1IW05APR

©2005 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.
All non-metric weights and measurements are approximate.
Sony, IPELA, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo,
and the Memory Stick logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation.
Some images in this brochure are simulated.