Any one use Polycom HDX ceiling microphone

[mike s]

I've been asked to look into polycom video conferencing systems. Although the video componet has its challenges, it's the audio mic system that seems to be the real task.

Has anyone had sucess with the HDX ceiling mics? particularly with a HDX8000polycom system. We're considering ceiling mics because of complaints the existing table mounted boundary mic's pick up too much ambient noise such as finger tapping , paper rustling, etc.

Any issues with them picking up ceiling noise from air ducts etc?

Thanks, mike

[gregbegland]

I've been asked to look into polycom video conferencing systems. Although the video componet has its challenges, it's the audio mic system that seems to be the real task.

Has anyone had sucess with the HDX ceiling mics? particularly with a HDX8000polycom system. We're considering ceiling mics because of complaints the existing table mounted boundary mic's pick up too much ambient noise such as finger tapping , paper rustling, etc.

Any issues with them picking up ceiling noise from air ducts etc?

Thanks, mike

I've done many systems with either table mount PZMs or ceiling mount mics. Each choice has its drawbacks. Ceiling mount tends to sound more hollow and washed out for those on the other end and DOES pick up HVAC vent noise if close to an opening. Our clients have tended to prefer the more direct sound of table mount. If they do not like boundary systems, then maybe everyone needs their own table mount gooseneck mic.

One other thing to remember is that Polycom has a fascination with proprietary connectors. There are no standard mic level inputs on the back of an HDX800. Their own connectors are something like a firewire looking jack. If you choose third party mics, then you'll need an outboard processor/mixer and feed that into the RCA AUX inputs and then configure the Polycom to use those inputs for mic routing.

Greg

[mike s]

Thanks for the info Greg,

There are two conference rooms with different dimensions and seating layouts. Each has different audio systems, and apparently there has always been complaints of audio quality.

One of the conference rooms currently uses 12 table top Shure boundry mics, 6 each per side, each apx within an arms lenght. These feed into rack mounted Shure SCM-810 and SCM-410 mixers. There is an additional row of seating apx 8' behind one side of the table.

The other conference room has a table apx the same size as the other but only has 4 Crown PZM-10 mics/ 2 per side, these mic's feed into an under table mounted PZM? 4 channel crown mixer. This table seems to be way under mic'ed compared to the other, which may explain some audio complaints from the other conference room. There is also non-table seating but this is between 6-12' away.

Common to both labs are complaints that those at the podiums or seated in chairs behind the table cannot be heard (hense the overhead mic consideration). We're also considering a lavaier\lapel mic for the podium speaker.

Audio picked up by mics is only sent to the remote site, it is not amplified for overhead speakers in the same room as the mic


So, it looks like we're looking into either A) an all Polycom audio solution, maybe a couple of 3 mic hdx microphone arrays for those at the table and 2 ceiling mounted for those in the cheap seats (may have to use a hdx9000 to get 4 mic arrays) or B) use an arrangment with non polycom mics and mixers.

If you have insights as to which approach might be better given the information at hand I'd appreciate hearing it.

Do you know if you can use the polycom mics and the aux input concurrently (mixed) within the polycon unit or is it one or the other?

Thanks,
Mike

[gregbegland]

Actually, I'm not sure about mixing within Polycom for the AUX plus mic situation. Never had to try it....

Sounds like a tough room layout to cover. Never done one where there were additional people in the room NOT at the conference table.

I find that clip-on lapel mics make people more nervous and self conscious than a simple hand held or podium mount mic. And, invariably, they clip it on way too low. If you do get lav, I suggest an omni rather than a cardioid since there is not local reinforcement to feed back. At least if they eat a handheld, it will come through loud and clear on the other end.

Greg

[mike s]

Good to know about the lapel mic. issues.

Thanks for the advice Greg, it's appreciated.

Regards,
Mike

[SamD]

I realize this post is a little outdated but I thought I'd add my 2C anyway. Hopefully in an attempt to look smart on my first board post.

To answer your question directly I don't have much experience with the HDX ceiling mics but in general I prefer table mics. I just think you get better sound having the mic closer to the speaker. This does leave you more susceptible to table noises but a good mic preamp / dsp can help with that.

That having been said, on a conference table you typically want 1 mic for every 2 people. In other words you would position a mic between seats 1 & 2, seats 3 & 4, etc. I would use a gooseneck mic for the podium position and ceiling mics for the gallery. With the gallery keep in mind that the cardioid polar pattern has an effective angle of 120 degrees so mic as required for adequate pickup.

Keep in mind that ceiling mics over the conference table may not adequately pickup the gallery either and you could still get complaints about sound quality.

The Shure SCM products are good products but not the product I'd use for video conferencing. The ClearOne Convergent Pro series is where I would start looking if audio quality was an issue. No where as easy to setup but it will take care of the audio quality concerns.

[mike s]

Sam, Thanks for the feedback, particualy the insight on the ClearOne.

I think a podium gooseneck would in most cases make sense, but in this case the user say's they want a lapel mic, as they do move between the podium, the table, and a projection screen/whiteboard.


FWIW Regarding the projector, we're trying some of the network enabled Epson Powerlite Pro's (1920x1200 native res), which allow users to send content (powerpoint slides) from their laptop thru the network to the projector.

Thanks again,
Mike