Overview of the new Grandstream GXV3275 and GXV3240 phones
Finally, Grandstream video telephones have been equipped with high-quality capacitive touch displays and the new full-fledged Android operating system! I have 2 new video telephones on my desk and I will try to do a little review on them.
Previously, the Grandstream lineup included 2 GXV3175 and GXV3140 video telephones. The main drawback of the GXV3175 was its resistive display, slow response and a lot of complaints about the overall performance. The GXV3140 phone is the only one that supports skype, also had limited functionality compared to Android devices, did not support PoE, and had a non-touch display.
The recently released GXV3275 and GXV3240 models replaced the GXV3175 and GXV3140 video telephones and completely got rid of their shortcomings. The devices turned out to be very fast and functional. I will give the main differences between the two models, and then I will describe the GXV3275, since it is more pleasant to work with it because of the larger display, more on that under the cut.
The main differences between the GXV3240 and GXV3275:
So, the GXV3240 is the familiar GXP2200, only with a video camera. He also received a newer version of Android 4.2.2.
First of all, it has a smaller screen (4.3 vs 7 inches) and hardware buttons for both managing the Android system and managing calls (access to contacts, transfer calls, conference, access to voicemail, etc.) add that when the handset is on, the MUTE key works like “do not disturb” and the green key works like dialing the last number. I mean, the hardware buttons on the phone really help, and the phone is mainly intended for people who need to quickly cope with a large flow of calls and intensive work. In addition, the GXV3240 allows you to connect additional key modules to itself.
The GXV3275 does not have this feature. The speed dial or BLF keys are only programmed on the touch screen using the pre-installed MPK application. There are widgets for 2, 4 and 6 keys. If more keys are programmed, scrolling works. Nuance, you need to reap for the call not on the whole square, but only on the area where the BLF is written. A green frame means that the subscriber is free, red - busy, gray - not registered.
The GXP3275 has only 5 touch buttons (three Android buttons and volume control), they are removed from the display. The Home button, which was in the previous version of the GXV3175, is an absurd imitation of Apple.
GXV3275 and GXV3240 are also distinguished by a set of connectors, which are located on the right of each phone and are covered with a plastic cover. The GXV3240 lacks 2 USB connectors and a 3.5mm jack for headphones. Note also that access to the remaining connectors - the SD slot and mini HDMI output can also be difficult if you connect the same key expansion module.
I would also like to note the new elegant frame at the back of the model GXV3275, which allows you to smoothly adjust the installation angle. Also, this design will make it possible, if necessary, to conveniently transport the device, for example, in a bag, which hints that the device can be easily used on business trips and in the rapid deployment of mobile offices.
Insides
On the central page is a widget on which all programmed SIP accounts of the phone are automatically located. A green icon means that the SIP record is registered.
In the factory settings, each video phone has a predefined IPVideoTalk video server account with its unique number. Already at the first power-up, with access to the Internet, the phone can automatically register and make calls within the IPVideoTalk network. The service is free.
This is how the other two pages look on the sides:
Naturally, as elsewhere in Android, the user can at his discretion customize the location of applications, widgets, desktop pages.
As you can see, the interface is fully translated into Russian, and Russian keyboard input is also supported.
Below I give all the applications and widgets that are already preinstalled after the first inclusion or restoration of factory settings.
If you need to install a new application, you need to go into the GS-market (an analogue of Google Play at Grandstream). Only from there, along with other applications, you can install a real Google Play Store and get access to a real Google account.
To install applications there are more than 800 Mb of internal memory, you can also use an SD memory card.
Conference
The device allows you to collect audio conferences up to 6 participants and video conferences up to 3 participants. The Conf application, which is used for these purposes, is quite convenient and intuitive.
During the conference, you can switch from video to audio and vice versa, add a participant, delete a participant, remove his voice:
Skype
You can install the Skype application as with the GS-market and the newest with Google Play. The application worked without problems.
Contacts are automatically synchronized in a separate group of phone contacts with the same account name:
But there is one caveat. To talk on skype through the handset, you must first turn off automatic activity when picking up the phone. Otherwise, in addition to the conversation, a tone of readiness will be heard in the handset, and a dialing window will appear. This setting can be turned off in the system setup by pulling down the shutter from the top edge of the display.
Duplicate iPhone via Bluetooth
An unusual feature has appeared in some new Grandstream phones (not just video phones) that have Bluetooth. This is the ability to synchronize and collaborate with a mobile phone.
The idea is that after pairing your mobile phone, you can safely put it on charging or put it nearby, and use only a desktop one. All incoming calls to your mobile phone will also come to the Grandstream phone. And to call GSM by yourself, you need to use the bottom linear button, which automatically appears after pairing:
For convenience, your own call log is even pulled from a mobile phone:
Only iPhone has been successfully tested as paired phones. It turned out that old phones such as Android HTC Desire S did not work correctly, and the Nokia 6303 could not be connected at all. Using Bluetooth, you can also connect a wireless headset to the GXP3240 and GXP3275 phones. A list of compatible headsets can be found on the official website www.garandstream.com . Bluetooth version must be at least 2.1. But it is better to test in advance.
Microsoft lync
A few words about Microsoft Lync integration. After correctly installing the appropriate application from Google Play and registering, the recording automatically, like when pairing a mobile, appears on the widget of the phone accounts:
All contacts of this registration, as well as the contacts of other applications can be synchronized.
Contact Sync
If applications are installed that have their own contacts, the phone has the ability to synchronize them with the contacts of the phone. Here, for example, is a list of applications from which you can merge contacts after I installed the Skype and Lync 2013 applications
Unfortunately, there is a limit of 1000 entries in contacts:
Contacts can be imported simply from a file with the extension xml, vcard or csv. In this case, duplication of records can be eliminated:
Unlimited functionality
In fantasizing about the possibilities of using phones, you need to mention such functions as outputting audio and video via HDMI to a large screen, connecting via VPN, the ability to distribute Wi-Fi yourself:
There are many Google Android applications and services that further expand the capabilities of video phones. They allow you to participate in webinars, conferences, use the phone as a terminal for CRM systems, etc. This is for example:
In addition, there is an open API / SDK for developing specific applications. For example, the hotel application can be seen from the demo that I installed from the GS market:
You can also see an example of the Demo API and source codes there:
We can also mention the joint work of telephones with modern IP surveillance cameras and intercoms - this is a call to a telephone with video broadcasting when motion is detected by a camera, remote door opening, etc.
In conclusion, about the shortcomings:
In fairness, it should be noted that for broadcasting video, new phones use only the H.264 codec. Devices that do not use this codec or use older H.263 / H.263 + are unlikely to work with them.
It should also be noted that sudden power outages are bad for phones, so I recommend minimizing the likelihood of this. During testing, I had to turn the phone off and on many times, and once it got up with errors. I had to do a factory reset. Unfortunately, there is no possibility of turning off the operating system correctly before turning off the phone, so you need to be prepared for such kinds of troubles. The archiving utility that is preinstalled on the phone will help:
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