Cannot make video call on Yealink IP Phone VC110 via 3CX

[Akilesh Chummun]

hi all,

Actually, got a client is using a 3CX telephony system. The client wanted to use a Yealink IP Phone model VC110 over 3CX but he was unable to do so.

On my side, I’ve tested the VC110 on a 3CX platform and found that there is no supported template for this model.
I even try to register the VC110 phone manually, the phone got registered but it doesn’t allow video calls even after fixing the correct video codecs



https://www.3cx.com/sip-phones/ - checked this link but seems that Yealink VC110 is not present.



Moreover, I found a related article whereby it says that video call between 2 endpoints over SIP is not possible while using VC110. It was the dated year 2016.





Still, at present, I would like to have a firm response if this can be done.

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Hi @Akilesh Chummun

There is no firm response to be given, and after my explanation you will hopefully understand why this is so.


1. When two video phones want to call each other, 3CX will pass the message along and will not touch the video stream. So 3CX acts as an intermediary and remains neutral with regards to video.

2. Video is not as simple as you may think: there are variables like resolution, bitrate, codec, and more. They need to negotiate a video connection between themselves, and if they do not agree you will have no video and there will be nothing you can do. So just because two devices can "generally" video call, you should not automatically assume that they can work with each other.

3. The specific model is not supported by 3CX, but this is entirely irrelevant when it comes to video, precisely because of point 2. So being unsupported, is not the reason the video doesn't work.


What can you do? This is entirely up to you: study the device you are using, and also study the device that will receive the call. Learn about what video codecs they support to see if there is even a theoretical chance they can stream to each other. Then you will have to play around with their video settings (if they provide any options) to see if you can get them to agree. You will have to read their documentation, and you will need to learn how to read Wireshark captures, especially the SDP section which is where the video is negotiated. Yealink is a very good brand so you might have good chances here, but we as 3CX cannot provide help with unsupported devices, and we also do not interfere with the video negotiation in the first place.

So if you are asking for a firm response the answer is: you have to provide your own answer to this via research.

 

[Akilesh Chummun]

Hi @John$_3CX,

Yes, I agree with you at the point.

2. Video is not as simple as you may think: there are variables like resolution, bitrate, codec, and more. They need to negotiate a video connection between themselves, and if they do not agree you will have no video and there will be nothing you can do. So just because two devices can "generally" video call, you should not automatically assume that they can work with each other.

However, I've done several tests on my side, and found that when I register a VC110 and T49 yealink phone on Yeastar PBX platform it works well, that is both audio and video, When swapping both mentioned IP Phones on 3CX platform video is not being displayed. I even tried to adjust the codecs but in vain.

3. The specific model is not supported by 3CX, but this is entirely irrelevant when it comes to video, precisely because of point 2. So being unsupported, is not the reason the video doesn't work.

as per this article https://www.3cx.com/community/threads/webmeeting-and-yealink-vc110.44926/
a staff member stated that "Now if you re asking about a Video Call between 2 endpoint over SIP, one of which being the VC110, I know it is possible with supported device, however at the moment the VC110 is not one of them.".
Therefore I believed that there must have some tests which were done on 3cx support side in order to support this article.

 

[JohnS_3CX]

a) I'm not aware of what other platforms do so I not in a position to comment how/why it worked. But you could look into it and find out why. I'm sure there will be some explanation if you dig deep enough, perhaps a specific combo codec settings you haven't tried yet?

b) Regarding the article I think it was just a misunderstanding and I can clear that up very quickly:

- My colleague said that he knows video calls are possible between supported endpoints (eg. T58 to T58)

- But the V110 is not one of the supported endpoints, so we do not know if it's possible

- This claim does not require any tests to have been made with VC110, it's true for any unsupported videophone that we don't know if it will work unless it's tested

So it still remains, that there is no firm response to be given regarding that model (or any model). I'm afraid you will have to do further research like I said originally.

I can propose a simpler solution if you are interested: try to connect the VC110 to a PC as a webcam, and then use it in the 3CX webclient to make a video call to another endpoint. If this solution is acceptable, then you won't have to spend time on the codecs or manually creating support for an unsupported device