The SX10 is part of the Collaboration refresh that is going on in Cisco right now. If you saw the Enterprise Connect Cisco keynote then you most likely saw some of the new endpoints that Cisco are delivering. The SX10 is one of the first of these new endpoints but it comes at a significantly reduced cost than any other codec’s to date.
What is striking about this device is the size. Considering everything else that is on the market its very small but in photos it looks larger than it really is. When I first unboxed it I was surprised at the size and weight. It’s a small package but is packed full of the usual features you would expect from a Cisco video codec. I mounted mine on a standard HD 25 inch screen in the photos below. I just happened to have a spare screen from a recent hard drive failure on a Windows box. So rather than letting a good HD screen go to waste the SX10 was a perfect fit for it.
So what's in the SX10?
- Integrated Codec and Camera
- Pan/Tilt/Zoom Camera
- Integrated Microphone
- Remote Control TRC6
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) (working 12W)
- Premium Resolution Included
The photo below depicts the remote that comes with the device. I am very familiar with both the interface and the old remotes used with Cisco codecs and I can tell you the SX10 is a marked improvement end user wise. It’s a much simpler remote and simpler user interface, it really reminds me of my Apple TV. Moving the remote also wakes the device which is isn't new but I still like it.
The device can be mounted normal and upside down with auto detection.The mount depicted below is the same mount I used and it’s a little odd at first but easy enough to work out. There is also a wall mount. It’s a two cable install if you have POE available so super simple.
Below is the underside of the device showing the available ports.Yes, it has HDMI and VGA for presenting inputs just in case you wanted to ask. Power over Ethernet is a really nice add for a video codec and as far as I know the only all in one codec to offer this feature. It can use standard POE by the way. I am running my SX10 off of a small business 8 port switch that has 4 POE ports. So not a big power draw which is quite amazing really. My iPad charger uses 12 Watts so having an active device only consume such a low wattage to me seems pretty impressive. A laptop for example is around 40-60 Watts to give you an idea although newer tablets most likely use less.
On first boot the SX10 has a configuration/auto install wizard which makes it easy to setup. Obviously setup can also be all controlled through CUCM or TMS but for the admin setting up volume and other end-user features in the room this is a nice guide which can be accessed at anytime. Once I worked out the mounting I was basically done in a few minutes. Not a hard setup and making a call even with the remote has been pretty easy. Obviously a touch panel will be a great add though.
The shot below show the general interface on the open screen. Its really simple and in fact I am now considering replacing my EX90 with this device just because I can use pan tilt zoom, something that the EX90 has a limited capability with.
As with other Cisco codecs that support TC software the SX10 has the same web interface and administrative capabilities. This offers the ability to do advanced configuration or use the API’s. The onscreen admin capabilities are really limited which for this device is just fine in my opinion. Last thing you need is a user messing with settings.
Lastly the camera used in the SX10 has similar specs as the PHD 1080p 2.5x camera which I wrote about a few months back. With 83 degree field of view this small camera can cover a lot of space and yet you can sit pretty close to it similar to a web cam.
The SX10 helps make fitting out every conference room for video a lot more affordable. Along with POE and the ability to easily attach to a standard HD monitor it’s a simple install to help bring room collaboration to the masses, well at least those forgotten small conference rooms.
References
SX10 home
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collaboration-endpoints/telepresence-sx10-quick-set/index.html
VoIPNorm
Great write up Chris! Do you think it could mount on the bottom of the screen? Typically mount screens higher sometimes and maybe mounting it below would work?
ReplyDeleteYes it should be mountable under the screen upside down. The part number for the screen mount shown is BRKT-SX10-SMK. The unit will auto adjust when mounted upside down so the video is right way up.
ReplyDeletedo I need a telepresence server to be able to work with it, or just CUCM 9.1 to be able to do video calls?
ReplyDeleteGood article Chris. Would you know how to enable web snapshot on SX10. I can not enable it remotely (via web or ssh) and I can not enable it using a remote control.
ReplyDeleteWeb snapshots are not supported on SX10 per the documentation. Don't know why, nor if it will be. SX10 is an entry level device, so expect some features of the larger room systems to not be supported or featured.
DeleteI would like to know , If SX10 can work with out CUCM or VCS ?
ReplyDeleteIP to IP Calls are possibe with SX10 in two different Geo-Location ?