Cisco TelePresence MCU 4501
Transition to HD Conferencing

Overview:

The Cisco TelePresence MCU 4501 is the industry's leading entry-sized, full high-definition (HD) conferencing bridge. It offers organizations a low-risk, cost-effective solution for HD multipoint video conferencing. For those organizations with an existing standard-definition (SD) video environment, it provides a seamless transition path to HD with an option to upgrade the capacity when required. Compatible with all major vendors' SD and HD endpoints, it delivers the best experience for each participant, every time.

Cisco TelePresence MCU is WebEx enabled, allowing customers to enjoy fully integrated, scalable conference involving callers from WebEx clients and telepresence endpoints.

Cisco TelePresence MCU 4501 Is Standards-Based and Compatible with All Major Vendors' Endpoints

Transition to HD Conferencing

If you currently operate a standard-definition (SD) conferencing system, the Cisco TelePresence MCU 4501 provides a smooth transition to high definition (HD). The system provides a low-risk, cost-effective path to 1080p HD multipoint video conferencing.

Cisco TelePresence MCU 4501 features:

• 6 HD and 12 SD video ports
• More than 50 custom layouts
• Easy-to-use management interface
• Compatibility with major video conferencing vendors´ SD and HD endpoints

With a Cisco TelePresence MCU 4501 upgrade key, you can grow your entry-level MCU and protect your investment.

The system extends the benefits of video to desktop users with the ConferenceMe feature. With multiple layouts, Continuous Presence and content sharing, users can join a multipoint conference through ConferenceMe and fully participate in a video call.

Features and Benefits:

Table summarizes the key features of the Cisco TelePresence MCU 4501, and Table 2 gives information about the models in the Cisco TelePresence MCU 4501.

Feature Summary
Design features	Standards-based and compatible with all major vendors' endpoints Selectable between 6 HD or 12 SD video ports Upgradable to 12 HD or 24 SD video ports Easy-to-use, versatile management interface More than 50 custom layouts Comprehensive wideband audio support Support for both Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and H.323 endpoints Cisco TelePresence PacketSafe technology, which minimizes effects of network packet loss Compact size: Two rack units (2RU) tall and 19-in. rack-mountable
Application features	Supports Cisco TelePresence ConferenceMe technology for multipoint desktop video Provides upscale SD resolution using Cisco TelePresence ClearVision technology Integrated with Cisco TelePresence Management Suit Integrated with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (v8.6 or later) for ad-hoc conferencing Integrated with Cisco TelePresence Conductor Offers full interoperability with ISDN networks using standalone Cisco TelePresence ISDN gateways Compatible with Microsoft Office Communications Server Fully integrated, with built-in gatekeeper and streaming server Supports Cisco Multiway technology
Performance features	Continuous presence on every port Cisco TelePresence Universal Port technology, which helps ensure each participant receives the best possible experience Predictable port capacity Bandwidth per site up to 4 Mbps Video resolutions up to 1080p 30 fps SD support at up to 448p 30 fps

Technical Specifications:

Cisco TelePresence MCU 4501 Models
Model	Continuous Presence Video Participants (Symmetric)	With 1080p30 HD+ Capacity Option (Asymmetric)	Additional Voice Participants	Video Streaming Unicast*/Multicast
CTI-4501-MCU-K9	6 x 720p30 ports 3 x 1080p30 or 720p60 ports 12 x 448p30 ports	-	6 6 12	6/unlimited
CTI-4501-MCU-K9 + LIC-4501-PL6	12 x 720p30 ports 6 x 1080p30 or 720p60 ports 24 x 448p30 ports	12 x 1080p30	12 12 24	12/unlimited

Product Specifications
Product compatibility	Standards-based and compatible with all major vendors' endpoints
Universal transcoding and transrating	HD and SD can be combined within the same conference. All calls are automatically transcoded and transrated for audio and video. Any bandwidth, any resolution, any video, or any audio codec can be used on any video call within the same conference. All participants have their own personal encodes.
Streaming Video	Built-in streaming server Ability to view using Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, or QuickTime Streaming of slides (H.239 and Virtual Network Computing [VNC]) Text chat Unicast and multicast User Datagram Protocol (UDP), TCP, or HTTP Independent choice of bandwidth and codec
Localization and customization	Custom interactive voice response (IVR))/auto attendant audio prompts and graphics Uploadable multilanguage support Unicode conference and site names
Built-In Gatekeeper	Resolution of E.164 numbers Registration of conferences, endpoints, and gateways Ability to register up to 25 devices
Built-in web server	Complete configuration, control, and monitoring of the system and conferences
Multipoint-Control-Unit (MCU) Features	Dial in or dial out through web server Standalone or with gatekeeper/registrar/proxy Configurable audio and video auto attendant Advanced continuous presence as standard on all ports Automatic selection of best layout Individual layout selection using remote control or webpages More than 50 custom layouts Active speaker selection using remote control or voice activated Floor assignment using remote control or management application Far-end camera control tunneling using remote control or web Text identification of sites On-screen text messaging to individual or all sites Built-in conference scheduling and reservation On-demand and ad-hoc conferences Automatic lecture mode Preview of conference and individual camera on webpages On-screen list of participants Web conferencing option - those without endpoints can still interact Uploadable bitmaps for voice participants Video association for IP and traditional private branch exchanges (PBXs) Automatic connection to audio conferences Integration with Cisco Unified Communications Manager v8.6 or later ad-hoc conferencing features allows Cisco video IP phones to initiate impromptu multiparty calls with other Cisco TelePresence endpoints. Cisco TelePresence Multiway technology, which enables Cisco video endpoints to initiate ad hoc multiparty calls Linked voice and video calls Automatic redialing
Content features	Dual video using H.239 and BFCP content sharing Presentation mode: You can add slides from your PC using VNC Automatic content handover Widescreen (16:9) support Passthrough content option to maximise capacity Content transcoding for interoperability Participants with no content support can receive transcoded content in the main video. Up to 1080p in H.264 Up to 720p in H.263
Cisco Telepresence ConferenceMe	Video, audio, and content sharing Multiple layouts Firewall friendly Independent transcode per participant Up to 12 simultaneous connections
High-definition performance	Main video up to 1080p 30 fps and 720p 60 fps H.264 4-Mbps continuous presence Comprehensive HD audio codecs Content video up to 1080p
Language	English as standard, with option to load alternative language packs
Video and Audio Specifications
Bandwidth	Up to 4 Mbps with both H.263 and H.264, for each site in all conference modes, including advanced continuous presence
Video Standards	H.261, H.263, H.263+, H.263++, and H.264
Video Resolution	From QCIF up to 1080p (1920 x 1080), including interlaced iCIF and iSIF 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios
Frame Rates	Up to 60 frames per second
Audio Standards	G.711, G.722, G.722.1, G.723.1, G.728, G.729, MPEG-4 AAC-LC, MPEG-4 AAC-LD, and Polycom Siren14/G.722.1 Annex C
Audio Features	Wideband audio mixing Built-in and uploadable auto attendant voice prompts Adjustable gain and individual audio mute using remote control or web pages Power indication and automatic gain control using webpages
Network, Security, and Management Specifications
Protocols	H.323, SIP, H.235 (Advanced Encryption Standard [AES]), Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP), Transport Layer Security (TLS), H.239 (dual video), VNC, Binary Floor Control Protocol (BFCP), H.243 (chair control), FTP, Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP), (Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), HTTP, Secure HTTP (HTTPS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Network Time Protocol (NTP), IPv4, and IPv6
Quality of service (QoS)	Configurable differentiated services code point (DSCP) or type of service (ToS)/IP Precedence
Security features	Seven levels of access rights and privileges for users Strong password policy Personal identification number (PIN)-protected conferences Conference locking through remote control or web interface or management application Secure non-PC hardware and operating system AES encryption, 128-bit key, H.235 SIP encryption TLS certificate verification Video firewall option - second Ethernet port Audit log Static ARP Certificate-based login with OCSP certificate checking
Interfaces	RJ-45 Ethernet, 10-/100-/1000-Mbps full/half duplex, manual or autosensing RJ-45 serial port CompactFlash socket Thirty-nine status LEDs
System management	XML-RPC management application programming interface (API) Management through embedded web server RS-232 for local control and diagnostics Syslog for diagnostics Configurable event logs and full H.323 and SIP decoding Configuration backup to network Secure upgrades through Ethernet or CompactFlash Call detail records (CDRs) SNMP
Network resilience	Cisco TelePresence PacketSafe technology, which provides intelligent down-speeding, packet pacing, and packet-loss concealment to ensure optimum video and audio quality Dynamic jitter buffering Alternate gatekeepers DNS SRV failover for SIP
Physical Specifications
Physical dimensions	Physical dimensions: 3.43 x 17.4 x 19.25 in. (87 x 442 x 489 mm) (2RU) 19-in. rack-mountable (kit supplied) or standalone
Weight	24 lb (11 kg)
Power	100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz 2684 BTU/h (787W) maximum heat dissipation
Environmental data	Operating temperature: (0 to 35°C) ambient Relative humidity below 95% (noncondensing)
Approvals and compliance	European safety: EN 60950-1 USA/Canada safety: UL 60950-1 CB, CE EMC: EN55022 class A, EN61000-3-2, EN61000-3-3, EN55024: EN61000-4-2,-3,-4,-5,-6,-11, FCC Part 15 class A, VCCI class A, AS/NZS 3548, CCC: GB4943, GB9254, YD/T993 NAL Certificate (China) RoHS compliant

*Maximum number of unicast streams depends on network topology.

Documentation:

Download the Cisco TelePresence MCU 4501 Datasheet (PDF).