Sony PCS-G50 Video Communication System

Product Specification

The PCS-G50 is a videoconferencing system that achieves high-quality video and audio. It is ideal for use in medium-sized conference rooms for a number of applications, such as corporate, education, and medical.

Highlights:

* High-Quality Video H.263 4-CIF/High-Speed network connection up to 4 Mb/s
* Multi-Point videoconferencing at up to 10 sites
* Site-Name display
* Flexible display patterns at all sites
* Audiovisual (A/V) recording to Memory Stick media
* H.239 Data-Sharing Capabilities/Digital whiteboard support
* Superb sound MPEG-4 AAC
* Stylish design
* Easy-to-Use remote commander Unit/Intuitive GUI
* Memory stick support
* Secure videoconferencing - H.235 advanced encryption standard (AES)
* Forward error correction (FEC)
* Adaptive rate control (ARC)
* Real-time auto repeat request (ARQ)
* Streaming
* PRI I/F (1.5Mbps) support
* Optional echo canceller microphone (PCSA-A7P4)
* UPnP support

Features:

* High-Quality Video/High-Speed Network ConnectionThe 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.*1 In addition, the 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. *1 The PCS-G50P supports a maximum of 50 fields per second in interlaced SIF format. Optional PCSA-PRI (1.5Mbps ISDN) is supported.
* Multi-Point Videoconferencing at up to 10 Sites
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 multi-point videoconference. And of course, the PCS-G50 allows users to expand from a peer-to-peer videoconference to a multi-point videoconference. *2 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.
* Site-Name Display
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.
* 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-in-picture 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 continuous-presence 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
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.
* Audiovisual (A/V) Recording to Memory Stick (TM) 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*3 directly to Memory Stick media in MPEG-4 format and can be played back on any PC using QuickTime media player. *3 AV recording is not supported when AES is active. Also, graphical data cannot be recorded.
* H.239 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*4 in native XGA resolution, allowing all parties to share data during a videoconference. In addition, information drawn up on a digital whiteboard*5 can also be viewed in real time by all parties participating in a videoconference or captured and stored for later reference. *4 Sending data requires the optional PCSA-DSB1S Data Solution Box (DSB); however, the DSB is not required for receiving data *5 Please contact your local Sony sales office for information on compatible digital whiteboards.