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Skype Hardware - IST Recommendations

Skype Hardware - IST Recommendations

The following Skype for Business hardware are supported and recommended options for UWaterloo staff. (Note: the hardware is provided to you through your department administrator.)

On this page:

Headsets

Headsets are ideal for those who need to work on their computer while in a conversation on the phone. If you use the speakerphone option a lot and are moving to an open concept office, a headset would be preferred.

IST has tested and is recommending more than one make and model to address an individual preference component - above and beyond function.

Duo headsets (two ear-pieces) are ideal for people who use their computer while on the phone and for those who want to block out surrounding noise when on the phone or at their computer (listening to music or watching online content such as webinars)

Mono headsets ​(one ear-piece) are ideal for people who use their computer while on the phone and may need to converse with somebody on the phone and relay information to someone in the office at the same time. Also useful if you need to hear interactions around you while also on the phone or on hold.

 

JABRA UC VOICE 750 MS DUO DARK​​ or LIGHT

 

 

   JABRA UC VOICE 750 MS MONO DARK​​ or LIGHT


              

 

Device  Specifications/Features

  • Operating Systems: This device supports Apple Mac OS and Microsoft Windows

  • Connectivity: USB

  • Usage:  Connects to a PC and can be used to stream music/sound and for voice calls

  • Frequency Response: Wideband|Hifi

  • Digital Signal Processing: Yes - Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is a technology that digitally optimizes your voice and music and suppresses echoes

  • Listening Modes:

    • Mono - One ear - Offers mono sound through one speaker

    • Duo - Two ears - Offers stereo sound through two speakers

  • Microphone Sensitivity: Standard (E-STD) - Standard (STD) variation microphone sensitivity is comparable to a normal telephone receiver and is used in most telephone devices.

  • Boom Arm Type: Flex - Noise-cancelling microphone with excellent noise reduction - great for open, loud office environments. The boom arm can be adjusted to the user.

  • Mute function: Yes - Mute gives you the option to mute/unmute the microphone directly on the device

  • Wearing Style: Headband - A headband is a fully adjustable, over-the-head wearing style

  • Ear Cushion Type: Leatherette - Large (L) leatherette ear cushions  

 

 

 

 

Why we like it: Small, very light weight, portable and comfortable headset. Fully adjustable microphone boon. Good voice quality. 7 foot cord is long enough and does not get tangled. Controls well placed - 32" from the earpiece. The most portable headset we tested - the best option for someone who needs to pack up their headset and go.

Some drawbacks: Control markings are not clear (especially in lower light). Music audio quality is okay but not great (some found it a bit "tinny").

*These Sennheiser headsets are our number one choice for audio quality, comfort and function.

Sennheiser SC 660 USB ML (Duo)

 

 

 

 

 Sennheiser SC 630 USB ML (Mono)

 

Device  Specifications/Features

  • Operating Systems: This device supports Apple Mac OS and Microsoft Windows

  • Color: black

  • Wearing style: Headband

  • Connector: USB

  • Microphone: Ultra noise-cancelling

  • Frequency response: 150 hz - 6.800 Hz (wideband)

  • Max. sound pressure level: 113 dB limited by ActiveGard®

  • Cable length: 9.5 feet

  • Weight: 134 g (SC 630) and 167 g (SC 660)

  • Speaker type: neodynium magnet speaker

 

 

 

Why we like it: Solid, very comfortable headset with very good audio quality (both voice and music). Control markings are well designed and can be mounted to the desktop via magnetic strip.

Some drawbacks: The cord may be too long for some (9.5 feet) and the control unit is located farther away from the earpiece (39") than on other headsets. As a result, the cord is prone to tangling and gets in the way (unless anchored). Headband is not padded.

 

Webcam

For people who do not have monitors with built-in webcams

Logitech HD Webcam B525

 

 

Device  Specifications/Features

  • HD video calling (1280 x 720 pixels) with recommended system

  • Autofocus

  • Built-in stereo mic

  • 69° diagonal field of view

  • Universal clip fits laptops, LCD or CRT monitors

  • Hi-Speed USB 2.0 certified

  • True 2.0-megapixel sensor with RightLight™ 2 technology

  • Universal clip fits laptops, LCD or CRT monitors

  • UVC compliant

  • Works with most instant-messaging and video-conferencing applications

  • 5 foot cable

  • Optimized for Microsoft® Lync™ - Certified for Skype®

  • Works with Windows and MacOS Lync client software 

  • Camera Dimensions: 68.5 X 29 X 40.4 mm(Clip combine together)

  • Weight: 88 grams (Include clip, cable, and PWA)

 

Deskset

This option is for people who cannot run supported Skype for Business client software on their computer or simply prefer a traditional phone and generally don't work on their computer while on the phone. Anyone who frequently needs to reboot their primary workstation during a phone call should also use a desktop phone.

Polycom VVX410, 411

 

​Device Specifications/Features

User interface features

• Backlit 3.5 in color LCD  (320 x 240) resolution

• Voicemail support1

• WebKit-based browser

• Adjustable base height

• Single USB port (2.0 compliant) for media and storage applications

• Unicode UTF-8 character support. Multilingual user interface including Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English (Canada/ US/UK), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish

 

Audio features

• Polycom® HD Voice™ technology delivers lifelike voice quality for each audio pathhandset, the hands-free speakerphone and the optional headset2

• Polycom® Acoustic Clarity™ technology. Providing full-duplex conversations, acoustic echo cancellation and background noise suppression - Type 1 compliant (IEEE 1329 full duplex)

• Frequency response – 150 Hz – 7 kHz for handset, optional headset and handsfree speakerphone modes

• Codecs: G.711 (A-law and μ-law), G.729AB, G.722.1, iLBC

• Individual volume settings with visual feedback for each audio path

• Voice activity detection

• Comfort noise generation

• DTMF tone generation (RFC 2833 and in-band)

• Low-delay audio packet transmission

• Adaptive jitter buffers

• Packet loss concealment