Polycom VoxBox

You would think that the market is fairly saturated with speaker-phone devices that plug in via USB or attach via BT and work with anything that is connected to the PC.  Right?  I mean, these things have been around for almost as long as I have been knowing what a USB connection is and the difference between an A, and a B USB.

Apparently I am wrong – Polycom has a device called VoxBox.  I have been living in a cave lately, from all appearances, and totally missed this product.  The Polycom website claims that the VoxBox is certified for Office 365 and SfB.  You’d think so seeing as how it connects to the PC or BYOD via USB/BT and is therefore abstracted from what is actually providing media.  It thinks the media is coming right from the port.  But, SfB does know what to do with it.  Teams O365 doesn’t like the on-device controls, but Teams O365 doesn’t like any on-device controls (yet).  So, I think it is safe to say that subject is a wash in terms of function.

Marketing blather straight from Polycom’s website:

Polycom VoxBox sets a new standard in ultra-compact USB / Bluetooth speakerphone performance and packs it with HD Voice and patented NoiseBlock noise reduction technology. Give your mind and ears the quality they deserve—in offices, in huddle spaces, and wherever your travels may take you.

Better Sound. Hear Everyone.

• Hear everyone – Designed and built for group conversations, so discussions are interactive and everyone is clearly heard
• Easy to connect – Simply pair using Bluetooth, or plug in via USB — no software driver required
• Sounds better – you will hear the difference with 4 microphones and our high quality, low-distortion speaker
• Stay focused – eliminate meeting disruptors like echo, noise, and insufficient microphone range

Let’s see if that is true in testing.

OOBE

2 cables (USB and USB+security cable), a little wrench (for the anti-theft cable) and the unit itself.

Square, solid, brushed aluminum-like finish.  Looks good; feels good; and the bottom has whateveritis that stops it from sliding around.  So, pretty good from that angle.

Function

Here is the official data sheet. 

As you might guess, I did not test the VoxBox with just anything, I used SfBS and Teams Office 365.  Surprised?  Ha!  Don’t be.  I plugged it in, my laptop went dink-donk, and I had a functional speaker phone.  It doesn’t get any easier.

My ONLY niggle with this unit is that the mute button is bit too sensitive. I swear that several times just thinking about the mute button caused it to activate. 

Lights are easily visible, even in office lighting levels of brightness, and the lights themselves are understandable as to what they are indicating.  As long as you don’t expect the + and – to provide video zoom you are good to go.

Audio was clear and presented with good volume out to a 12x12 room size.

Conclusions

This is a high quality speaker phone device.  I had zero issues working this device with both Teams O365 and SfBx.  I set up about two feet from the device and normal operations were crisp, clear, and all the device features were indeed as advertised.  With the exception of achieving world peace, I would say the marketing mavens had accurate VoxBox blather.

You can get one right here.

YMMV

Logitech Brio & C925E

A pair of nice cameras recently went through the wringer here at the Tsoorad Test Lab.  It has been a long time since I last looked at camera add-ins/add-ons.  I am a laptop user by day, and a lurker when not running a meeting where I need to show some slight sign of being an adult.  Ergo, I have no need for an camera. 

Until that is, I go into an environment where desktops still exist, and those desktops are no longer the large box that used to be, but they still have the normal limitations… like camera’s that don’t exist.  Therefore, last month the camera issue came up again.

Enter the Logitech Brio 4K PRO WEBCAM. According to the Logitech material, the Brio provides:

OK… what else might this thing offer?

• Video resolutions up to 4K (ultra-high definition) at 30 fps
• 5X digital zoom (with digital pan / tilt)
• Automatic exposure and contrast adjustment with Logitech RightLight 3 and HDR technology
• Software-selectable field of view (90, 78, or 65 degrees)
• Dual integrated omni-directional microphones with noise cancellation

The Logitech C925E webcam is offering a reduced feature set (no 4k) but also a reduced price point.

Software

The available-for-download software is useful for adjusting all of this. Pan and zoom to boot.  Not a large amount of adjustment range, but enough.  Useful rather than over the top.

 

Zoom and Pan…starting with this:

Still good image resolution….

OOBE

Oddness – why does the C925 webcam come with an internal privacy shutter when the Brio does not?  The Brio has a clippy-thing that is the privacy shutter – but you have to put it on yourself. Huh?  You would think that the privacy shutter would be built-in on all add-on cameras…but apparently I am in the minority opinion on this subject.

Moving past that, both cameras have a good solid feel.  Materials are very nice, the hinges and other parts were not falling off nor did they appear to want to do so anytime soon.  Always a plus when I cannot break something.

The Brio needs a USB3 port to do 4K.  I have it hanging off a USB3 hub, and it seems to be happy. Both have a threaded boss on the bottom of the mount so you can setup on a tripod or other such device.  The Brio has a separate cable, the 925 has an attached cable.

The Brio documentation included with the units was the now de rigueur one page cartoon.  Surprisingly effective in this case.  What does that say about me?  The 925 had booklets of languages…and cartoons. There was more safety documentation than instructions.  I know that there is always someone, but do we really need to warn the dainbread about using this product in the bath/shower?

And, a final discriminator…the Brio has a velvety carry pouch.

Picture Quality

Brio on the left

 

Different default field of view, and the Brio is doing some automatic light show stuff.

SfBx/Teams

What Tsoorad review would be worth its electrons if it did not have some hook into SfB/Teams?  Well, this review is no different…

The Skype client loves these things.  You just have to plug them into an appropriate port and then go choose.

Teams wants to be different, yet the same.  Bipolar city.  But still, here the cameras are for the choosing.  Hey Microsoft! I sure wish you could do it before deciding to call. 

Summary

As expected, Logitech has nice solid devices here; for my purposes the video quality was much better than my onboard laptop camera and was past what I see people typically using in my day-to-day experience.  If you have a need to go up on the big screen, the 4K looks really good – so good you might want to check your makeup before hand. 

I wanted these units to work with SfB/Teams without me having to do anything past choose it.  They both functioned as expected and the output looked great doing it. If you are needing it, the Brio + software can potentially enhance your security and the 4K video is really nice.

You can get a Brio here and a C925E here.

YMMV

Audiocodes 445HD

A while back, I bricked a 450HD. Ooopseyo!

When I contacted Audiocodes to whine for a new one they sent me a 445HD also.  Why?  Beats me, maybe they think I will review it?

Here is the official marketing fluff. Assuming you take the time to read all that, does it all add up to “An advanced high-end business phone with a color screen and integrated sidecar for speed dial contacts and presence monitoring.”

Yes, I think it does.  If you are in the market for a higher-end low-end phone, this is it.  Need some color in your users life or they can’t keep up with the Jones?  This is it.  Need something to connect to Office 365 SfbO?  This is it.

Here is the 445HD feature list:

Certified for Skype for Business
Graphic 4.3" color multi-lingual LCD screen (480x272)
6 programmable multi-function keys
4 soft keys
12 programmable speed dial keys with presence monitoring on a dedicated LCD (376 X 60)
GbE Support
USB headset support

In case you have not done any professional reading here is the overall Audiocodes IP Phone “highlights.”

High voice quality
Support for SILK codec
Full duplex speaker phone
Robust security mechanisms
PoE or external power supply
Out of the box global redirection server support
Multi-language user interface
Centralized management with AudioCodes IP Phone Manager (available for download free of charge)

Build Quality

The only complaint I can gin up on this subject is the stand portion – I always think I want more adjustability.  Other than that (and that is extremely minor), the materials and construction are top-notch.

Does it work with Skype (Online or on-premises – better known now as SfBO and SfBS)?

Duh!  Why else would I be writing this?  Yes, near seamlessly.  Not totally seamless because to do web login I have to jump through some O365 hoops.  But, in the end, I will paraphrase a popular Norte Americano beer spot: “…works great, less hassle…”

I have full status for system users… if they are on SfB, then I see their presence.  The side car can be programmed with an extension on the system, and I get presence from that minimal information.  So nice.

Audio

Audiocodes provides great audio.  Maybe even excellent audio.  IMHO, much better than the competition.

But how is this thing to use?

I use it as a calendar minder, a phone call maker, a redial source because I am lazy, and a speaker phone because I don’t want a headset clamped on my noggin all day.  Did I say it has a color screen?  Visually, the 445HD works really well.

Buttons are large, with excellent tactile feedback. Programming the phone can be done via IP Manager, configuration files stored on an FTP or TFTP, or the device has a web interface.  All of this thought out for maximum ease of use, which is mostly delivered upon.  An example would be the attached sidecar buttons. Although, can it really be a sidecar if there is not a detachable piece?  It’s all one unit. 

So how about the “side buttons” which are referred to as “function keys.”  No matter.  Find a “function” key that has a blank display and press it.  The phone immediately pops to that menu and allows you to enter in your favorite bodega for delivery. 

and a few judicious key presses later we have lunch on the hook.

It won’t take an advanced degree in psychodynamics to figure out the rest of the phone either.  The controls are very clear and solid feeling.

Support

Depending on to whom you address the question, Audiocodes has great-to-excellent support for the HD IP Phones.  You can count on the dev’s there to be looking at their firmware and they are ever-improving things.  Mainstream, forward looking, and easy to contact.

Summary

I like this phone device.  Great price point, great feature set.  The only thing missing is touch, but the target for this device is not the touch crowd.  I can see this device as that “in-between” model where you need something more, but just not all that more (see 450HD).  Typical Audiocodes quality means you cannot go wrong.

You can get your very own 445HD right here.

YMMV