Polycom Communicator C100S USB Speakerphone for Skype-Grey
by Polycom Inc.
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List Price: Our Price: $106.99 You Save: $15.00 (12%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $99.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Polycom Communicator C100S USB Speakerphone for Skype-Grey
Customer Review: Simply the best on Windows XP (also Windows 7 if you try)
Summary: 4 Stars
I had been using an MVox MV100 and Skype as my primary work phone. I got it for only $9.99; it did an admirably job the last couple months. But the frequency range of 500-5000 Hz sometimes made it hard to hear everyone well. Even when I could understand them, they would sound unnatural. Since I typically spend hours on conference calls every week, I thought I would invest in a better device. The MV100 already does noise cancellation and full duplex, the main thing I looked for is a large range.
Like many, I have had positive experience with Polycom conference phones. So after reading all the positive reviews, I ordered the C100S. Since my primary machine runs Windows XP, support for other platforms is not a factor for me. So far I must say that the 200-22000 Hz range is amazing! It sounds unbelievable if both ends use Skype. Even when the other end uses a regular phone, the improvement is still very noticeable. The microphone also works better than the MVox as long as the Polycom software is running. I also like the buttons on the devices; they are handy but not a big improvement over the Skype hot keys I was already using.
I took off one star only because the software did not run on my machine at first; I almost returned the unit. But since I am a techie and since it did work on my wife's machine, I dug deeper into what happened. It turned out that the installer somehow failed where it should register the USB components. After I went through those steps manually, everything worked beautifully.
I am using the "latest" software (version 2.1) released on 2007/9/17. This is the first version that is not specified to be for Windows XP only; maybe it does work on Vista now. Perhaps Vista users should give that a try.
- Update on 4/24/2010 - it works with AEC driver in my 64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate!!!
The C100S did not work well with the Windows 7 audio driver and I could not find one from Polycom that supports Win 7. Being a techie, I tried VirtualBox running Windows XP but with only minor success - I got the C100S to work with the AEC driver but then Skype crashed, possibly because integration issues. After trying for a few more days, I gave up and bought a ClearOne Chat 60 ($$). It is loud and clear but the sound is not as natural as the C100S; it seems "muffled" or "veiled". But then I discovered "Windows XP Mode" in Windows 7 that can be installed free from Microsoft. And it works! Windows XP Mode seems fairly well integrated with Win 7, too, and you can fire up applications directly from the Start menu. It was a little tricky installing the AEC driver because the C100S does not pick it up automatically like it does in regular XP. One has to go to Device Manager to manually update the "unknown devices" to use the Polycom Communicator driver. But after ignoring the warning about the chosen driver not being a verified one, everything worked beautifully just like it did in regular 32-bit Windows XP. I checked the Chat 60 and C100S side-by-side using Skype Echo Service, the C100S definitely sounds better. So for those of you who are on Windows 7 and have given up hope as I did, C100S is not totally out of the game. For me, I'll probably starting using C100S again and perhaps pack up the Chat 60 as a backup...
(Full disclosure: I have no affiliation with Polycom or Microsoft. I don't own their stocks. I am just a regular user who appreciates quality and likes to make things work better.)
Customer Review: Wildly great and awful all at the same time
Summary: 2 Stars
Everyone who gives the Polycom Communicator C100S a great rating is absolutely correct. Under Windows XP this device is awesome. The sound quality is great on both ends. It doesn't take you long to realize that you are carrying on a conversation in a much more natural manner without a headset on.
When you want to use this device on any operating system other than Windows XP, you'll find that the device is nothing more than a cheap speaker and desktop microphone. Of course it works with Skype on Linux, MacOS and Windows Vista, just like any other speaker and desktop microphone do. Crappily.
The magic of this device is in the software. The echo cancellation and sound quality are all products of the drivers that lie between Skype and the device. Wihout those drivers, the device is just an expensive USB speaker/microphone. Those who say that the device works with MacOS and Vista are only partially right. The Skype integration buttons do not work on anything but XP and I could live with that. But the audio processing in the driver is what makes this device usable with Skype. Without it, there is terrible echo from your side that makes the device unusable. You may as well use a cheap pair of speakers and a cheap desktop microphone. You'll get the same performance and it'll cost you a lot less.
Windows Vista has been available to the software developers at Polycom for over a year now and there is apparently no Vista driver in the works. This means that the Polycom Communicator C100S is useless for almost all new computer purchasers. (I did recently read that Dell is now offering Windows XP on some new PC purchases. I belive for enterprise level buyers only though.)
There is apparently now no plan to release a Mac driver, as if there was ever one in development. Which I highly doubt. So, according to my spidey senses, unless you use Windows XP exclusively, and don't have any plans for a new computer, purchasing this device now is a waste of money.
This is a terrible shame as the Polycom Communicator C100S is an awesome device and I was really looking forward to using it when I purchased it. So far I haven't been able to use it more than once, as they haven't released any Vista drivers. I did use it once with a VMWare virtual machine running Windows XP, just to make sure that my device wasn't broken, and it does work as advertised on Windows XP.
Vista drivers were supposed to be released mid 2007, but it's almost mid 2008 now and there are no hints that they have ever assigned a software guy the task of writing them. My advice is to wait until Polycom shows some interest in supporting this device with current operating systems before shelling out any money for it. :o(
Customer Review: Fantastic device, well made and thought out, crystal clear audio
Summary: 5 Stars
I was tired of using a headset, especially when we wanted to have a webcam session with our parents to show them their grandchildren. Having used Polycom speakerphones at work 6 hours a day I thought I would see if they had a device for the home user. And sure enough they do and it only cost around $100!
The Polycom Communicator is packaged in a plastic mould within a box. Thankfully the plastic wasn't heatsealed around the edge like most PC accessories these days, so within seconds it was in my hot little hands. I was surprised how light it felt for a solid built device. Size wise it was just smaller than my hand and about 3/4 of inch thick.
Accompanying the device was a nicely made wallet to store it in while traveling, the customary manual and setup CD, and a voucher for 30mins of Skypeout call time (which I thought was cool at the time but later discovered this was 30mins of cheap rates and represented about 54c of Skype credit. Oh well, it was the thought that counted).
The Communicator has five buttons: one for starting Skype, two for volume, one for calling/hanging up and one for mute. The buttons are surrounded by a ring that glows when you are making or receiving a call. It has a headset jack on the side for private calls. At the back is a flap which, when opened reveals a USB cable which is neatly stowed. The flap itself serves as a prop-up stand as you can see in the picture. Being USB powered is great because it means no unnecessary power cords and no need for a power socket.
Installing the software proved a little more difficult than I anticipated. The setup CD would just not work and kept coming up with a message that it couldn't find a file which as it happened was on the CD, just in a different folder. I copied all the files from all the folders into one folder on my hard drive and ran it from there and it worked no problem. Setup was very painless and quick from thereon.
Having got it all setup I plugged it in, fired up Skype (which recognized the device automatically), did a test call with no hassle, and then called my mother. The call was crystal clear with no echo or feedback. My mother said it was very clear and noise free at her end too. As we talked for 20mins it became hard to believe that this little device was even there. It was like talking to her in the same room.
All in all I am really happy with this device and think it is great value for money. My only complaints are the setup CD and the fact it is only compatible with Skype (I am a big yahoo messenger user too), but these are small niggles in an otherwise excellent product. Congratulations Polycom!!!
Customer Review: Best Skype USB Speakerphone on the market
Summary: 5 Stars
With all due respect to the reviewer below, I think he/she needs to figure out how to check their Windows Sounds and Audio Devices settings. The problem they reported (echo) can be easily fixed by going into their Windows Control Panel, then to Sounds and Audio Devices settings, go to the Audio Tab and Voice Tab, then click Effects, and see if Polycom's AEC Driver is active. If the Polycom AEC Driver is active in Sounds and Audio Devices then a user will only hear echo if the person they are talking to (the far-end) has a bad device with poor echo cancellation. If the reviewer below is hearing echo on his end, over the Communicator speaker, then it means the far-end is causing the echo (not the Communicator device). This person should ask the far-end how their call experience is. I am sure they will say it is echo-free and ideal. This is because the Communicator device is using Polycom's patented Acoustic Clarity Technology to get rid of any echo and to allow full-duplex conversations.
This device is outstanding. It is vastly superior to any other brand of Skype USB speakerphone on Amazon (or in the market). It is sleek and compact, easy to carry around. It really gives the best hands-free Skype experience. Additionally, the speaker is very, very good. When I travel, and am doing work in hotel rooms, I listen to music from my iTunes. It is much better than listening to music from the speaker on my PC, or tethering myself to the laptop with headphones. It is also great for playing presentation audio or Podcasts. Communicator is designed by the same company that created the legendary Polycom SoundStation conference phone...the triangle-shaped conference phone found in 90+% conference rooms worldwide. These guys really know their audio! I highly recommend it to all mobile workers who use Skype regularly.
I have recommended this device to many of my family members who use Skype regularly. Those who have purchased it so far absolutely love it! And those who havent' had a chance to pick it up yet...they will be receiving it as a stocking stuffer this Holiday Season. :-)
This product is a winner!! Don't waste your time with the cheaper USB speakerphone competitors you see above...those devices aren't even in the same ballpark. And Polycom communicator comes in two different colors, Cobalt Blue and Charcoal Grey.
Customer Review: Polycom Communicator on Mac OSX
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought I would write up this review for those Mac users who might be skeptical of the Polycom Communicator's compatibility with Mac OS X 10.4.
Although Polycom offers no Mac drivers or official Mac support, I find that it works extremely well out of the box.
I have used it 4 times (just got it 2 days ago) and it is an amazing speakerphone. I have used it with Skype for Skype and Land-line/mobile calls within the United States, and everyone believes me to be using my Logitech USB headset, unless they have video and can see me headset-free.
I have had a couple of instances of feedback, but these were cleared up once the person on the other end turned down their speaker volume or switched to headphones. In one case there was terrible feedback from my end, but it was because I opened ichat while on a skype call, and I think ichat opened the microphone, not allowing Skype or the Communicator to enact echo cancellation. Once I closed ichat, the call returned to echo-free quality.
I have used it on ichat, and it works as well as my internal laptop speakers and isight microphone, without the "cave-like" sound I usually get on the isight. On Gizmo Project, the sound quality is excellent with no echo or feedback whatsoever.
The buttons are the downside of this on the Mac - the "switch to skype" and "answer call" buttons do not function on the Communicator. The mute button functions, as does the LED, but the LED does not light up when there is an incoming call. The volume buttons work, but they do not control the master volume of the Mac. Both volume controls are independent of eachother. Although the Communicator does not indicate any response from touching the volume controls, they work fine.
The unit is very light, well made, and of high quality with a very nice carrying case.
Polycom says they will offer Mac support in early 2007, but I say why wait? This is well worth the money. I don't plan to use my headset again unless I need some privacy. Mac users, don't be put off by lack of Mac support - this unit functions extraordinarily well!