ms today fall in this class. A roll-about's codec used to be mounted mid-cabinet and concealed behind doors but, in today's systems, it is integrated into one small unit with a camera (and sometimes speakers) that sits on top of one or two monitors. Such systems are referred to as set-tops. Group-oriented video communication systems are broken into two categories: high- end/boardroom and low-end/small group, but the differences are becoming subtle. High-end systems are feature-rich and use top-of-the line components. It is typical to find them equipped with multiple microphones, a high-performance audio sub- system (with echo cancellation), and stereo plus sub-woofer or surround-sound. With two monitors, participants can view graphics on one while they talk face-to-face with conferees on another. In the absence of graphics, they can dedicate one monitor to showing them what the far-end is seeing. Group Systems POLYCOM Figure 13-2. Set-top System (courtesy of Polycom). Today, small-group systems are almost exclusively set-top systems. They ship with a codec, a monitor, a fixed camera and all necessary electronics. Features are limited; to reduce costs, manufacturers take a one-size fits all approach. Often small-group system installation is as simple as plugging in phone lines and power cables. Network service jacks can be extended to multiple conference rooms if systems are truly mobile. However, roll-abouts are not always moved; jostling of the electronics or the connections can lead to problems. GROUP-SYSTEM VIDEO Until 1996, PictureTel, VTEL, and CLI dominated the videoconferencing market, and from 1994-1996, PictureTel Corporation of Danvers, Massachusetts assumed the lead. This dramatically changed in 1996 when VTEL acquired CLI, and Polycom expanded out of the audioconferencing market with its ViewStation set-top products. By perfecting the genre of video communication products that PictureTel made popular with its SwiftSite line, Polycom shot to the forefront and then acquire PictureTel in October 2001. Ta