Polycom - Multipoint

[meyer1y2k]

Hoping someone can confirm how multipoint on the Polycom works. If we have 3 sites (A, B, and C) and site A has the multipoint license, I understand that a multipoint call can be set up to site B and C and Site A will see both sites.

What will site B and C experience. Will site B see site A and C? If not then if someone begins talking at site C will thay video and audio be streamed to site A?

Trying to help a customer out with this before they commit to buying equipment and licensing only to discover they did not understand how this works.

Thank you.

 

[trvlr1]

I have not used Polycom, but have used several others types and they all show the two other locations on the screens, depending on the set up. It can often be set to display both, or just the one thats talking for instance.
The best thing they can do in this case I think, is to ask the vendor to give them a demonstration of exactly what they will be getting. and make sure they ask for a demonstration of 3 way calling etc.

 

[robertjo24]

Generally, the newer stand-alone VC systems are licensed for the number of concurrent streams (video calls) they will support. If a VC system has a 4 user multi-site license, then it can support up to 4 simultaneous connections, given sufficient bandwidth is available.
If a site is licensed for a single stream, it will only support one VC connection.
So, if a site with a multi-site license (Site A) imitates a call to two different sites that only have single stream licenses, (Sites B&C) then sites B&C will only see site A. The only caveat to this is if the codec at site A can act as a VC bridge and switch views between B&C, or the codec at site A is capable of creating a combined (multiplexed) view that it can send to sites B&C.

These features are also platform dependant, and the local Polycom partner should be able to define.

TRVLR1 makes a great suggestion, have the customer request a demo. Polycom puts on a great demo.