Videoconferencing: 8X8 Delivers Versatile Videophone Development Platform for OEMS; New DVC10 Development System Showcases VCPex Power, Flexibility - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Nov 2, 1998

8x8, Inc., a leading supplier of video conferencing technology and systems -- announced Monday the DVC10 Videophone Development System, a complete development environment for 8x8's Enhanced Video Communication Processor (VCPex). Enormously flexible, the DVC10 will help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop video and audio communication systems for all of the ITU video-communication protocols and popular network interfaces.

Supported protocols include H.320, H.323 and H.324. Supported network interfaces include plain old telephone service (POTS), integrated services digital network (ISDN), Internet Protocol (IP) networks, asynchronous digital subscriber line (ADSL) modems and cable modems. Developers can change the DVC10's configuration by exchanging network interface modules and loading the appropriate software into the DVC10. Three network interface modules are available: a V.34 modem for the POTS videophone, an ISDN modem for the H.320 video conferencing system, and a 10baseT interface for connecting to IP or packet switched networks such as local area networks and the Internet. ADSL and cable modems can also be connected to the DVC10 via the 10baseT interface. 8x8 is developing additional interface modules for the DVC10, including a DOCSIS cable modem which would enable direct connection to digital cable TV networks for multi-channel audio telephony and high-quality video communication. When used for ISDN system development, the DVC10 supports up to three BRI channels (384 Kbps) at which rate it delivers 30 frame-per-second video. In ISDN mode, the DVC10 supports the H.261 and H.263 video codecs, the G.711, G.722, G.728 and G.729 audio codecs, and multiple communication protocols including the standard H.320 protocol. The system defined by the DVC10 is suitable for small group video conferencing applications or integrated consumer videophones that use ISDN. For Internet Protocol (IP) networks, the DVC10 can serve either as a videophone or as a multi-channel audio phone. For these applications, the DVC10 supports two standards: H.323 and Simple Gateway Control Protocol (SGCP). Both utilize the H.263 video codec, and G.711, G.723 and G.729 audio codecs. When operating as an audio-only phone, the DVC10 can support four IP audio calls simultaneously via a single cable connection. This multi-channel capability makes the DVC10 an excellent example of a residential gateway for IP telephony systems. When operating as either a H.323 or SGCP videophone, the DVC10 supports data rates of up to 768 Kbps and provides 30 frame-per-second video. The DVC10 also incorporates advanced error and packet loss concealment technology for both audio and video. The DVC10 serves as design example for a true one-chip POTS videophone. When executing the H.324 standard, the DVC10's VCPex runs not only the H.263 video and G.723 audio codecs, but also the V.34 modem and graphical user interface. This level of integration allows consumer videophone costs to be further reduced while increasing video frame rates and lowering connect times. The H.324 application for DVC10 provides up to 20 frame-per-second video at 33.6 Kbps and will be available in the first quarter 1999. 8x8's VCPex Chip The VCPex forms the heart of the DVC10, and it is the only digital signal processor (DSP) in the system. As such, the VCPex performs all audio and video compression and decompression, including support for the H.263 and H.261 video coding standards and the G.711, G.722, G.723, G. 728 and G.729 audio coding standards. The VCPex is able to provide full-duplex acoustic echo cancellation. The chip has a graphics and video mixer, which makes it straightforward to implement graphical user interfaces for videophones and text and graphics display systems, such as Web Browsers, that are required for screen phones. To integrate all of this functionality on a single chip, the VCPex uses a dual-programmable architecture, combining both a 32-bit RISC microprocessor and a 64-bit digital signal processor (DSP) in one package. The RISC microprocessor executes 40 million instructions per second (MIPS) and is used for call control, audio/video multiplexing and user interface implementation. The DSP incorporates a single instruction, multiple datapath (SIMD) engine especially developed for processing audio and video data, and it can perform over 1.8 billion operations per second. The VCPex also incorporates a graphic/video mixer, which allows text and graphics to be easily overlaid on video. The VCPex operates at an internal clock speed of 80 MHz, making it the most powerful processor specifically designed for video conferencing applications. 8x8 also supplies video conferencing software for the VCPex that takes full advantage of the chip's architecture and flexibility to provide superior video and audio quality with minimal end-to-end delay. Price and Availability There are four versions of the DVC10 Videophone Development System: ISDN, LAN, cable modem and POTS. Each version comes with the appropriate network interface module, software, a PC interface card, application note, schematics and PCB layout files. ISDN and LAN systems are available immediately for $5,000 each. Cable modem and PSTN systems will be available in Q1-1999. A leading manufacturer of video communication systems, semiconductors and software, 8x8, Inc. is committed to providing both businesses and consumers with a more complete way of communicating. From high-performance video processors to affordable videophones, 8x8's products offer a full range of video communications and telephony solutions. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. FMI: 888-VIEW-8X8, or http://www.8x8.com.