Cisco TelePresence

A high definition (HD), widescreen display resolution, often referred to as Full HD. The 1080 refers to a vertical display resolution of 1080 pixels, with a horizontal display resolution of 1,920 pixels. The p refers to progressive scan; any figure after the p refers to the frame rate.

A standard definition video display resolution. It is more likely to be used in video conferencing solutions than in telepresence. The 480 refers to a vertical display resolution of 480 pixels, usually with a horizontal display resolution of 640 pixels. The p refers to progressive scan; any figure after the p refers to the frame rate. See also w480p .

4 x Common Intermediate Format. See 576p .

A standard definition display resolution. The 576 refers to a vertical display resolution of 576 pixels, with a horizontal display resolution of 704 pixels. The p refers to progressive scan; any figure after the p refers to the frame rate. Also known as 4CIF. See also w576p .

A high definition (HD), widescreen display resolution. The 720 refers to a vertical display resolution of 720 pixels, with a horizontal display resolution of 1,280 pixels. The p indicates progressive scan; any figure after the p refers to the frame rate.

An audio/video extension unit. Required if an ACU is being used.

Advanced Audio Coding - Low Delay. A low delay audio compression codec. AAC-LD is the standard for 20 kilohertz audio.

A Cisco TelePresence feature that enables two or more conferences held on physically separate conference bridges to be joined together. ActivePresence and ActiveControl can be maintained in an ActiveCascade session.

A Cisco TelePresence feature that enables an endpoint user to see and modify the status of all conference participants, and control some aspects of the conference.

A Cisco TelePresence screen layout that maintains the face-to-face immersive experience whilst displaying passive participants in small video panes.

Auxiliary Control Unit. Conserves energy by powering on and off the lights, projector and optional peripherals for Cisco TelePresence products.

A type of non-scheduled conference in which a call between two participants is escalated to include three or more participants.

A participant who was not scheduled to join a conference, but who dials in or is dialled in part way through.

See ARQ

Automatic Gain Control. A method of equalizing the sound level for all participants in a telepresence call.

An internal speaker that warns you of an incoming call even if the monitor is not switched on.

Admission Request. An endpoint RAS request to make or answer a call. See also RAS.

A Cisco-proprietary protocol for firewall traversal.

See codec.

Any methodology used to reduce the storage and transmission requirements of digitized audio signals for transmission over a network. Usually achieved by making use of audio codecs.

A tool that enables users to configure the audio characteristics of a codec, including the default mixing, routing and equalization.

A participant who joins a telepresence conference on an audio-only connection.

A feature that automatically answers all incoming calls when an endpoint is idle.

A Cisco TelePresence feature that enables presentation sharing over TIP. See also presentation sharing.

A participant whose address is automatically dialed by the conference bridge when the conference starts. The address could relate to a device such as an endpoint, or could be a FindMe ID.

See AGC.

An additional screen used to extend an endpoint's existing display area.

Binary Floor Control Protocol. A SIP protocol that negotiates which participant controls the media resources in a conference, in particular presentation materials. See also presentation sharing.

Basic Rate Interface. An ISDN capability that can support two simultaneous video conferencing calls at up to 64 KB each.

See CDR

Server that manages all call signaling for the Cisco TelePresence Exchange System.

A set of rules configured system-wide that determine the action(s) to be applied by a Cisco TelePresence product to calls matching a given criteria.

A UUID common to all branches of a call across a network of Conductors and VCSs.

Subscription-based Cisco TelePresence service delivered across the Internet and aimed at small and medium sized businesses.

A voice activated camera positioning feature. The camera automatically tracks the current speaker in a call.

A method of connecting telepresence units together, so that capacity can be increased and more participants can join a conference.

Conference Control Protocol. An interface between the Cisco TelePresence Server and Cisco TelePresence Management System that controls the elements of a telepresence conference.

Call Detail Record. A real-time call detail record collected by certain Cisco TelePresence products. Typically used for billing and auditing.

A type of participant who can control certain aspects of the conference. See also guest.

Common Intermediate Format. A frame resolution of 352 x 288.

A Cisco TelePresence technology that increases resolution on non-HD endpoints by up to 4 times.

A Cisco TelePresence technology that minimizes the negative effects of packet loss in low bandwidth networks.

A collection of two or more units (the exact number is dependent on product) that have been configured to work together in order to increase scale.

Shortened form of coder/decoder. Codecs are software or hardware which compress (for transmission) and decompress (once received) digital video and analog audio signals so that they occupy less bandwidth during transmission.

Industry-recognized standards for compressing data. Standards accepted throughout the telepresence industry include H.264 and H.263.

A communication session between multiple participants using any combination of video, voice, and shared data presentation.

The identifier that a participant needs to dial in order to join a conference.

An infrastructure device, for example an MCU, that allows multiple endpoints to participate in the same conference.

A collection of conference bridges, all of the same type and with the same configuration. Acts as a single virtual bridge to improve scalability and redundancy.

An application hosted on a VCS that allows the VCS to support the Multiway feature.

Cisco video client that allows users to join an MCU video conference via a web browser. Supported on selected MCUs.

A style of screen layout that displays several participants simultaneously, often in a grid. ActivePresence is a Cisco TelePresence deployment of continuous presence.

A pre-configured subzone on a VCS. It is used to represent locally registered endpoints and systems that do not belong to any other configured subzones within the local zone.

A pre-configured zone on the VCS. Endpoints that are not recognized as belonging to the local zone or any of the configured neighbour zones, traversal client zones or traversal server zones are shown in the default zone.

A method of configuring identical parameters for a set of devices in CUCM. Once a device is assigned to a Device Pool, it inherits selected parameters from the Device Pool. 

The method by which a Cisco TelePresence product provisions endpoints with configuration information on request, and supplies endpoints with phone book information.

Defines all the possible aliases and call routes within your video network.

Specifies the actions that are performed by a video network when a dial plan is in place.

The identifier or address that a participant uses to dial in to a conference.

Digital Natural Audio Module. A high-powered speaker system with active crossovers that creates clear audio for larger environments, and delivers a flat response across the vocal range.

An additional camera that is used for showing text, diagrams and other physical objects.

The option to place a video conferencing call at reduced bandwidth when the requested call would exceed the maximum bandwidth limit.

A Cisco-proprietary implementation of dual video, which enables two video channels to be used simultaneously, one for conferencing and one for other content. See also H.239.

An E.164 number that maps to the endpoint's address. Equivalent to a telephone number, sometimes combined with access codes.

A feature that ensures that any echo from an audio signal is not returned back through the microphone to the origin of the signal. It can also compensate for any changes it detects in the audio characteristics of a room.

Any device used by a participant in a telepresence call.

A Cisco TelePresence deployment in which an organization deploys the endpoints, and a service provider hosts the service. See also hosted endpoint service.

On the VCS, a zone used to enable access to endpoints located via E.164 Number Mapping.

A remote system that is used to manage endpoints and network infrastructure. The Cisco TelePresence Management Suite (TMS) is an example of an external manager.

See FUR.

Far-end camera control. The ability to control the camera on remote endpoints.

A Cisco user policy feature that allows users to have a single alias on which they can be reached, regardless of the endpoint they are currently using.

Frames per second.

A single image sent to a monitor or screen. See also key frame, P-frame.

A measure of the speed at which frames are delivered and displayed to produce a moving picture. Most often expressed in frames per second (fps), or in progressive scan monitors as hertz.

See 1080p .

Fast Update Request. A request sent by an endpoint asking a codec to send a key frame. Usually issued when a frame has become corrupted.

An audio codec most commonly used in IP phone and other voice over IP (VoIP) technologies.

An audio codec used in IP phone technologies. Uses wideband to deliver better overall quality than G.711 at the same bandwidth.

The collection of all endpoints, gateways, and MCUs managed by a single gatekeeper.

An ITU-T recommendation for H.323 video conferencing that covers the support of multiple video channels, one for conferencing and one for other content. See also presentation sharing.

Baseline International Telecommunications Standard for video coding.

The first video compression standard designed for videoconferencing in 1995. H.263 was not designed to support High Definition video.

A video compression standard designed to replace H.263 by offering more efficient and higher definition video encoding. It is the most commonly used codec for telepresence and video conferencing.

An open standard for video compression. One of the most commonly used formats for the recording, compression and distribution of high definition video.

The most common H.264 profile used in the video conferencing industry. Supported by all Cisco TelePresence endpoints.

A common H.264 profile for broadcast and disc storage, that is also used by some video conferencing systems. This profile offers a higher compression ratio than baseline profile. See also H.264 Baseline Profile .

An extension to the H.264 standard that allows devices to send and received multi-layered streams. The additional layers are optional, and can enhance resolution, frame rate and quality.

ITU signaling standard designed to establish connections for voice and video communications over an ISDN network.

ITU signaling standard designed to establish connections for voice and video communications over an IP network. See also interworking.

High Definition multimedia interface. A compact audio video interface transmitting uncompressed digital signals.

High Efficiency Video Coding. A successor to H.264. HEVC can potentially double the data compression ratio compared to H.264, or, alternatively, significantly improve the video quality at the same bit rate. See also H.264 .

High Frame Rate codec. A codec that increases the default fps rate from 5fps to 30fps so that high bandwidth content such as videos or 3D-rendered diagrams can be shared across a telepresence call. Also known as presentation codec.

A Cisco TelePresence deployment in which an organization both hosts the service and manages the endpoints. See also enterprise endpoint service.

A high pass filter which reduces very low frequency noise.

Intra frame. See key frame.

The use of screens and ambient details such as lighting and furniture to create the illusion that conference participants across two or more sites are sharing a single space.

Call detail record (CDR) for direct dial calls between two enterprises that are hosted by the same service provider. The Cisco TelePresence Exchange System provides these CDRs.

Call detail record (CDR) for direct dial calls to other service providers. The Cisco TelePresence Exchange System provides these CDRs.

Feature that allows a customized service number and greeting to be applied to a Cisco TelePresence call.

A way of capturing, transmitting and displaying moving images, in which each frame is divided into two fields, and the two fields are drawn alternately. Normally abbreviated to "i" when used in a resolution descriptor, such as 480i. See also progressive scan.

A term that describes the ability for various Cisco TelePresence and third party video conferencing products to work together.

A term that describes the ability of H.323 systems and SIP systems to connect with each other and work together.

Information Request. A request sent to an endpoint requesting information about its status.

The first frame in a video stream is always a key frame (also known as an I-frame). The key frame contains all the information needed to display an image. Subsequent frames, called P-frames, only contain variations on the key frame. This repeating sequence (a key frame followed by a number of P-frames) minimizes the amount of data that needs to be compressed and transmitted, reducing bandwidth requirements. See also P-frame.

A type of telepresence conference which has two types of participant. Each type has different privileges and default settings. See also meeting.

Links connect nodes (such as zones and subzones) on a VCS.  Links are used to calculate how a call is routed over the network and therefore which zones and subzones are involved. See also pipe .

A static or moving image overlaid by conference details that is seen by participants before a call. See also black screen codes.

A relative term used to refer to any endpoint that is registered with the local Cisco TelePresence product.

The collection of all endpoints, gateways, MCUs and Content Servers registered with a VCS or VCS cluster. See also zone, subzone.

Location Request. A RAS query between gatekeepers to determine the location of an endpoint.

A type of Cisco TelePresence conference which has just one type of participant. All participants have the same privileges and default settings. See also lecture.

Any conference that includes three or more endpoints. See also Multisite, Multiway, point-to-point.

A Cisco TelePresence feature that allows three or more endpoints to join a multipoint conference without the need for an MCU.

A feature that allows a VCS-registered endpoint to escalate from a point-to-point call to a multipoint call. Multiway can operate over a multipoint infrastucture, such as a TelePresence Server behind a Conductor.

Media eXperience Engine. A modular media processing system that provides interoperability between Cisco TelePresence and video conferencing devices.

A remote system to which a VCS has a connection via a neighbor zone.

A zone on a VCS configured to connect to a remote system with which the VCS has a non-traversal relationship.

Any type of conference that does not have a scheduled start and end time, and does not have a pre-defined set of participants. Types of non-scheduled conference include ad hoc conference and Rendezvous conference.

A call which requires the local VCS to route the signaling but not the media. The term indicates how a particular VCS categorises the call, and does not categorise the call itself. For example, a call may pass through several VCSs; for some it is a traversal call, for others a non-traversal call.

Enables users to start or join a conference by pushing one button on the user interface.

A unique code available for purchase that enables or installs additional features on Cisco TelePresence products.

Predictive frame. A type of frame in a video stream. A P-frame only includes the information that has changed from a preceding key frame. One or more P-frames can follow a key frame, but all must refer to a preceding key frame. This reduces the amount of data that needs to be compressed and transmitted, reducing bandwidth requirements. See also key frame.

A person who has joined a conference. Each participant:

• Will either be an ad hoc or an auto-dialed participant.
• Has the role of a chairperson or guest (for lectures) or chairperson (for meetings).
• May or may not be using a reserved port.

A content mode that directs a content stream straight to an endpoint without the need for transcoding. See also transcoding.

Any telepresence technology or device that is available for an individual to use at any time, as opposed to a telepresence room system that has to be reserved.

Picture in Picture. A smaller window within the screen of an endpoint. An alternative to auxiliary display, when an additional screen is not available. See also auxiliary display.

Pipes are used to control the amount of bandwidth used on VCS links. The limits can be applied to the total concurrent bandwidth used at any one time, or to the bandwidth used by any individual call. See also link .

A direct-dial conference between two endpoints. See also multipoint.

Picture outside Picture. A picture layout mode that is optimized for widescreen. (Not to be confused with Point of Presence.)

See HFR codec.

Tha ability to display presentation material to all participants on a point-to-point or multipoint telepresence call. See auto collaboration, BFCP and H.239 for technology-specific implementation.

Primary Rate Interface. An ISDN capability that can support either 24 or 31 simultaneous video conferencing calls at up to 64 KB each (actual amount depends on geographical location).

The conference bridge on which the conference is originally created.

The MCU on which a conference is originally created.

A way of capturing, transmitting and displaying moving images in which all lines within a frame are refreshed in sequence. Normally abbreviated to "p", when used in a resolution descriptor, such as 1080p. See also interlaced scan.

An endpoint that has been automatically configured and authenticated by a management device.

Allows the system administrator to create and maintain user accounts in a centralized directory, and to mass-deploy this information across endpoints in a network or organization.

Registration, Admission, Status. A protocol that enables an endpoint and a gatekeeper, or two gatekeepers to communicate location, registration, status and permissions. Part of the H.323 standard.

Any endpoint that is not the local endpoint in a telepresence call.

A non-scheduled conference for which the host knows the conference dial-in beforehand, and must share the dial-in with all participants. Participants can join at any time, and there is no scheduled end time. Also known as Virtual Meeting Room.

A multipoint mode in which the entire room of the active speaker is displayed across all screens.

A pre-booked conference, with a start and end time, and a pre-defined set of participants.

The conference bridge onto which a conference has been cascaded from a primary conference bridge.

A feature that allows a user to see themselves before a call, and on some products during a call. This is used most commonly to make sure the participant and environment they are in are suitably displayed for a video based meeting.

A prioritized list of conference bridge pools. Decides the order on which conference bridges will be tried in the event that one or more bridges can't be used.

Session Initiation Protocol. A signaling protocol most commonly used for enabling voice and video communications over IP. SIP can only initiate terminate and maintain a session, it cannot encode and transmit data.

A subdivision of the local zone, so that endpoints can be registered according to user-defined rules. The VCS uses subzones to control bandwidth allocation and to control device authentication. By default, there is only one subzone, called the default subzone. If further subzones are required, they are configured manually by the user.

The process of forwarding video and audio signals from one endpoint to another in a telepresence call without affecting the media itself. For switching to be viable, all calls must have the same resolution, and not require advanced features such as continuous presence. See also transcoding .

A high-end form of video conferencing which uses room design, video cameras and sound systems, operating across high bandwidth connections, to create the impression that remote participants are in the same room as local participants.

Telepresence Interoperability Protocol. A Cisco protocol that enables interoperability between telepresence endpoints from different vendors.

A small, infrared remote control device used to control where the camera is pointing.

A process that enables all participants to join a conference, even if they are using a variety of resolutions and bandwidths, and different audio and video codecs. Transcoding requires a device to decode each call and then encode it into a suitable stream for each participant. Transcoding also supports advanced features such as continuous presence.

A call which requires the local VCS to route signaling information as well as media (voice and video). The term indicates how a particular VCS categorises the call, and does not categorise the call itself. For example, a call may pass through several VCSs; for some it is a traversal call, for others a non-traversal call.

A device such as a VCS or gatekeeper that must authenticate with a traversal server before a firewall traversal can take place.

A zone on a VCS or Gatekeeper that has been configured to connect to a traversal server to enable firewall traversal.

A server, for example VCS Expressway or Border Controller, that has been configured to enable firewall traversal.

A zone on a VCS Expressway or Border Controller that has been configured to enable firewall traversal

A conceptual subzone on a VCS. No endpoints can be registered to a traversal subzone, its sole purpose is to manage the bandwidth of traversal calls.

Either an endpoint that has not yet been provisioned, or an endpoint that will not use provisioning and therefore has to be configured and authenticated locally.

Video Communication Server. It can be deployed as a VCS Control or as a VCS Expressway.

VCS Control provides conference, session management and interworking capabilities. It enables interworking between SIP and H.323-compliant endpoints, and interworking with third-party endpoints. It integrates with Unified CM and supports third-party IP PBX solutions.

VCS Expressway deployed with the VCS Control provides secure firewall traversal for all SIP and H.323 devices to enable video communications outside the enterprise (with remote workers, WebEx and Jabber-based participants, or participants from another organization). 

The process of recording telepresence calls for people who aren't attending the call.

A tool that allows the user to add new layouts, change existing layouts and control what is shown on screen.

The use of digital video systems to transmit video, voice and other media between conference participants located at more than one site.

see Rendezvous conference .

A standard definition, widescreen display resolution. The 360 refers to a vertical display resolution of 360 pixels, with a horizontal display resolution of 640 pixels. The p refers to progressive scan; any figure after the p refers to the frame rate.

A standard definition, widescreen video display resolution. It is more likely to be used in video conferencing solutions than in telepresence. The 480 refers to a vertical display resolution of 480 pixels, usually with a horizontal display resolution of 852 pixels. The p refers to progressive scan; any figure after the p refers to the frame rate. See also 480p .

A standard definition, widescreen display resolution. The 576 refers to a vertical display resolution of 576 pixels, with a horizontal display resolution of 1,024 pixels. The p refers to progressive scan; any figure after the p refers to the frame rate. See also 576p .

An audio technology that captures a wide range of multiple audio bands so improving speech and sound quality.

Zones are used on the VCS to define and configure connections to locally registered and external systems and endpoints.

Local zone refers to all the locally registered endpoints and systems, and consists of configurable subzones.

External zones are used to configure connections to external systems with which the VCS has a neighbor, traversal client or traversal server relationship, and to configure the way in which the VCS performs ENUM and DNS searches.