» What service providers or platform support the VU ?
» What are the functions of the USB ports?
» How do I set up the video phone when my internet bandwidth connection is very low?
» What is the meaning of the letters displayed on the LCD screen when a call is made?
» Can I connect a TV monitor to the VU ?
» Can I broadcast the video from the VU into my local network?
» Can I take snapshot of the image in the LCD monitor?


What service providers or platform support the VU ?

Vox Prime VOIP service is the only VOIP service that will support The VU Video phone. With the correct plan you can call any traditional or VOIP phone number. To place Video calls each party will need a VU phone.

What are the functions of the USB ports?

The 2 USB interfaces are USB 2.0 host ports.  The USB interface can be used for external USB device like flash to store captured image, ring tones, phone address books (not implemented yet), etc. When a USB flash drive is connected to the USB 2.0 port, an icon will display in the lower section of the LCD. 

Do I need a service provider?

Yes, you need to have Vox Prime service to use The VU).

How do I set up the video phone  when my internet bandwidth connection is very low?

You need at least 128kbps bandwidth in both directions (uplink and downlink) to make the VU work with good picture quality. If using less than 128kbps, for example 96kbps bandwidth, you can configure: Frame Rate to 5 (lowest) and Video Bit Rate to 64kbps or even 32kbps (lowest), to see if the video quality is acceptable in your network environment. Otherwise, please upgrade your bandwidth as you don’t have enough physical data pipe to run the video data stream. Detailed raw data rate (without using video codec compression) can be roughly calculated as follows:If the LCD is 320x240 for QVGA and one pixel needs one bit (black or white) to present (actually it is more because of color), then the data capacity for ONE frame is: 320 x 240 = 76.8 kbps.  If the frame rate is 5 frames per second, then the total data stream (raw data for video without compression) is:  76.8 x 5 = 384 kbps. Also, you need to add the additional audio data rate. With the H.264 codec, the video data can be compressed. But to ensure good picture quality having the necessary bandwidth is the KEY to a good picture because so much data that needs to be transmitted simultaneously in both directions.

What is the meaning of the numbers diplayed on the screen during a call?

PCMU/H.264U: This means the Audio / Video codec used in the call. It shows audio is using G.711 µlaw (PCMU) and video is using H.264 video codec.86K/15FU: This shows RECEIVING video bandwidth used in the call (OSD always shows other side bandwidth used and suppose you should know your own sending video bandwidth as this video bit rate is configured by you in the configurations). For example: “86K/15F” means you are receiving video bit rate using 86Kbps and 15F means it is using 15 frame per second to send the video. The top left and right time stamp shows “current time” and “call duration”.

Can I connect a TV monitor to the VU ?

Yes.

Can I broadcast the video from the VU into my local network?

No, if you mean live call broadcasting or multicasting in the LAN using the phone as source.  Yes, if you mean a video conference using server or MCU as source.

Can I take snapshot of the image in the LCD monitor?

Yes. Once a USB flash drive is connected and ready for use (an icon will show up in lower part of the LCD when it is ready), the user can save a snap shot or capture a picture on the LCD and stored into the flash drive in YUV format. For detailed information, please refer to the “Auxillary Ports” section of VU User Manual.