Yealink ZVC960 Zoom Room SystemPRODUCT REVIEW
Yealink ZVC960 Zoom Room System
Few plug-and-play systems try to do it all, and yet Yealink’s ZVC960 (Zoom) and MVC960 (Microsoft Teams) are the exception that proves the rule. There are also newer, direct replacement models: ZVC S90 and MVC S90. For $8399 Yealink delivers three PTZ cameras, a touch panel designed for a tabletop, a proprietary hub, and a compute device to run the Zoom Room or Microsoft Teams Room. Most ambitiously of all, Yealink’s software tracks the person actively speaking in the room with all three cameras, and automatically switches between them, aiming for a streamlined video feed that resembles a TV broadcast. What did our Profound Technologies team think of the Yealink ZVC960?
Key Specifications
- Certifications Zoom, Microsoft Teams (model MVC960)
- Appliance Mode Yes
- USB Mode Requires Yealink BYOD extender, sold separately
- Built-in Video 2 PTZ cameras; Supported resolutions: Zoom: 12X optical, 1.7X digital; Room coverage (each camera): 200 degrees Horizontal, 130 degrees Vertical
- Audio N/A. Third Party Audio Devices were used during our testing
- Displays supported 2
Use case for the Yealink ZVC960
Large conference rooms present a unique challenge, even for capable video bar systems. Typically a larger room will have more people seated at the table, with many participants fifteen feet (or more) from the camera. The Yealink ZVC960 handles these larger rooms with confidence , using multiple cameras with 12X optical zoom to capture the whole room. On the software side, Yealink tracks the active person speaking and automatically cuts to a new active speaker, or to a wide shot of the room. Because Yealink includes a hub, compute device, and touch screen as well, the 960 is a comprehensive solution for video – with the flexibility to add whatever audio equipment makes the most sense. Although there’s no audio equipment in the box, it’s actually a savvy choice by Yealink, because larger rooms benefit greatly from tailored audio solutions.
Price range Yealink ZVC960
Totaling $9,889 MSRP, the Yealink ZVC S90 (direct replacement for the ZVC960) package is about the same cost as a video bar with multiple accessories. Our team compared it to the cost of a Logitech Rally Bar with a Tap controller, microphones, and additional camera. “The Rally Bar is a close price point,” Business Development Representative Sandy Martinez said, but “it doesn’t have the kind of features (the Yealink 960) does,” noting the additional cameras and automated switching. Craig Waugh, a veteran technician, agreed. “I think it would be on that level, similar to a Rally Plus or Rally system,” he said, and “with custom (systems), you would be way above that price.” “I think for everything you’re getting, it’s a good price,” marketing specialist Nicole Catania said.
Build Quality
Our panelists appreciated the overall build quality of the Yealink equipment. “It’s built nicely, and I think the touch panel is nice,” Craig said. “It looks like a solid piece of equipment,” Sandy added. “The design looks clean. It’s crisp and clean,” Nicole said, referring to the camera units.
Installation experience
Our technician found the system itself straightforward to install. “It’s a simple install,” Craig said. “Nothing’s really complicated.” He did note, however, that Yealink’s mostly-proprietary hub means it isn’t always easy to incorporate third party devices. “We had an issue connecting Shure microphones without going directly to the Yealink compute device,” he said. The Shure interface wouldn’t communicate with the Yealink hub over the network. Ultimately he said they added a Shure audio network interface to resolve the issue. “As long as you know what you’re doing, there’s ways to connect the different systems,” Craig said.
Industry standards
The Yealink ZVC960 does not support high definition copyright protection (HDCP) via HDMI, which is standard practice to allow for meeting content to be recorded – but it’s worth keeping in mind when connecting Apple devices with the optional Yealink WPP30 BYOD attachment, for example. Its dual HDMI outputs support all common resolutions up to 4K, so the Yealink’s video capabilities shouldn’t cause any compatibility issues. Yealink uses Cat5e or Cat6 cabling to connect its devices to their proprietary hub. This means existing Cat cabling can be used to support a new Yealink deployment, and it also means the Yealink equipment can avoid the distance limitations of USB 3.0. Conversely, the Yealink AV Hub can’t accept third party USB devices, which can necessitate additional equipment, as in the scenario Craig described with Shure microphones. The AV Hub does support Line In, but a microphone would still need additional equipment not included in the Yealink bundle.
User interface
The panelists used the included Yealink MTouch II to join a meeting and operate the Zoom Room. Results were mixed, with our team agreeing that the system was easy to use, but some apprehension about the automated camera system, especially with more participants in the meeting. “It’s easy to set up,” Nicole said, “and it’s easy to follow. We didn’t have any issues one on one. It seems to be larger groups that create the issues” with tracking meeting participants. “I don’t think (the camera switching) is that great of a user experience, yet, but maybe there are some things that can be improved upon, like picking up participants,” Sandy said. In meetings with several people at the table it was “bouncing” between cameras, and the auto-framing sometimes cut off participants’ heads, framing only their mid-sections, she said.
Standout features
Our team agreed that the camera system’s automation stood out. “That is definitely on the cusp of the future, right? AI-driven features are important these days,” Sandy said. “I think the switching and tracking seems pretty smooth. The cameras seem very clear,” junior technician Corey Feaster said. Nicole agreed about the image quality, describing the camera’s clarity as a standout feature. The automated tracking and switching is “a really good feature,” Craig said.
Reasons to buy
The Yealink ZVC960 is a great option for larger conference rooms that have a need for multiple cameras, or end users who want automated switching on a reduced budget, according to our team. “It’s got a good price point, for all the features that it offers,” Sandy said. “The framing and tracking is very important to the user.” “If they’re in the market for something like this, and it’s in their price range, it seems like the cameras are very clear,” Nicole said. “I’d purchase it based on my experience.”
Reasons to reconsider
Aside from the critique of Yealink’s tracking and switching software, our panel cited a few reasons why the Yealink ZVC960 may not be the best fit for everyone. “If they were looking for more features, or looking to add other products,” Craig said, or “If they wanted to use equipment they had previously, it probably wouldn’t be the system for them,” because Yealink is more of an all-in-one solution. Additionally, Sandy pointed out that the Yealink equipment doesn’t comply with the Trade Agreement Act (TAA), due to the manufacturing location and origins of the internal computer chips. Yealink provided documentation showing that End users in government most likely cannot consider Yealink due to the TAA. “It’s meant for a larger conference room setup,” Nicole said, so end users with a smaller room or only a few participants won’t be able to fully take advantage of the Yealink ZVC960. The Yealink MeetingBar A30 or A20 would be a better option for smaller conference rooms.
Conclusion
Despite some reservations about Yealink’s video switching and tracking, our Profound Technologies panel had positive feedback overall, for the Yealink ZVC960: Craig and Nicole awarded it an eight out of ten, and Sandy gave it a nine. There was a warm reception for the ambitious camera system, especially at the price point Yealink is able to offer those features. Still, our team agreed that it wasn’t always an appropriate replacement for a custom system, and that on the other extreme it’s not ideal for small rooms. See the chart below for a full breakdown of our panel’s scoring, by category: