(1) (MicroController Unit) A computer on a single chip. See microcontroller.
(2) (Multipoint Control Unit) A device that is used to moderate a videoconference of three or more end points (users at computers or groups of users in one room). In "voice switch" mode, it determines who is the predominant speaker and automatically switches the video of that person to all the screens. In "continuous presence" mode, it splits the screens and sends the video from each site to every screen. In "chair mode," someone can manually control who is on screen at any given time. An MCU also provides an audio bridge that mixes the audio from all the end points.
An MCU may include a built-in H.323 gatekeeper for translating user names into IP addresses, a video PBX for call switching, forwarding and transfer as well as video network management for quality of service (QoS), bandwidth management and accounting. See videoconferencing.
An MCU Plus
VCON provides a complete video management and control solution with its VCB 2000 MCU. It is H.323 and SIP compatible and includes an H.323 gatekeeper, a video PBX, video network management and full streaming capabilities. It also comes with H.323 video client software for desktop PCs. (Image courtesy of VCON, Inc., www.vcon.com)
(2) (Multipoint Control Unit) A device that is used to moderate a videoconference of three or more end points (users at computers or groups of users in one room). In "voice switch" mode, it determines who is the predominant speaker and automatically switches the video of that person to all the screens. In "continuous presence" mode, it splits the screens and sends the video from each site to every screen. In "chair mode," someone can manually control who is on screen at any given time. An MCU also provides an audio bridge that mixes the audio from all the end points.
An MCU may include a built-in H.323 gatekeeper for translating user names into IP addresses, a video PBX for call switching, forwarding and transfer as well as video network management for quality of service (QoS), bandwidth management and accounting. See videoconferencing.
An MCU Plus
VCON provides a complete video management and control solution with its VCB 2000 MCU. It is H.323 and SIP compatible and includes an H.323 gatekeeper, a video PBX, video network management and full streaming capabilities. It also comes with H.323 video client software for desktop PCs. (Image courtesy of VCON, Inc., www.vcon.com)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
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- Software downloads 2008-01-09
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- Training 2008-01-01
- SeriCon (zip)
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- Software downloads 2007-07-10
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- Discussion threads 2007-03-13
- TalkEZ-AV (exe)
- Next generation of our H323 softphone. Now TAlkEZ-AV includes media conference unit MCU and makes possible audio-/video-conferencing without any specialized software. TalkEZ provides up to 4 simultaneously video composing. Main features: H323 v4 compliant. GSM, G711, iLBC, G723 via MS ACM codecs. H263 video. External USB-phones support.
- Software downloads 2006-08-10
- 16- and 32-bit microcontrollers to outsell 8-bit microcontrollers by 100%
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- Blog posts 2006-02-14
- PowerPlay (EXE)
- Say Hello to IPContact, the H.323 video conferencing application that meets or beats the performance of industry leading, hardware- based systems. Multipoint without an MCU IPContact sets a new standard in quality for IP-based video conferencing systems. It can show any four of the eight maximum members of the conference...
- Software downloads 2005-09-14
- Ensuring Scalability for Your Video Network: Selecting a Multipoint Control Unit
- Multipoint Control Units MCUs are an essential component in today's enterprise-wide video communication solutions. An MCU is sometimes referred to as a "Bridge" because it connects multiple video and audio participants into a single conference - each participant connecting through what is commonly called a "Port." Selecting the right MCU...
- White papers 2005-07-01
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- Blog posts 2005-06-07
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- White papers 2005-03-01
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- Blog posts 2004-12-02
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- Blog posts 2004-01-26
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