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5 minute read
Summary
On this episode of Decision Point, the Collab Collective's Craig Durr talks with Brian Phillips, Director of Product Marketing at HP | Poly about their latest innovation—the Poly Studio V12. Filmed just after its general availability, this discussion explores how HP Poly is rounding out its portfolio to meet BYOD and hybrid meeting demands.
Their discussion covers:
- Designing for Simplicity: How the V12 makes BYOD deployment easy for small rooms
- Audio and Video Innovation: AI-powered features like NoiseBlock AI and Director AI
- Consistent Portfolio Strategy: Aligning HP’s compute, software, and collaboration story
- Management at Scale: How Poly Lens and PoE++ simplify control and deployment
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Transcript
Craig Durr: Welcome everyone, I’m Craig Durr, and this is another edition of Decision Point—a series focused on giving IT decision-makers the insights they need to make informed choices. There’s been a surge of new products recently, and today we’re going to talk about one that stands out.
This isn’t a marketing presentation—you’re not going to die by PowerPoint. We’re here for honest questions and real answers from the people behind the technology. Today’s guest is Brian Phillips, Director of Product Marketing at HP Poly, and we’ll be exploring a brand-new BYOD solution: the Poly Studio V12. Brian, great to have you.
Brian Phillips: Thanks, Craig. Glad to be here.
Craig Durr: We’ve known each other a while, but that won’t stop me from asking the hard questions. Let’s dive in—tell me about the V12.
Brian Phillips: The Poly Studio V12 is a compact USB video bar built for smaller meeting spaces. It clamps easily onto a monitor, plugs in with just a couple of cables, and you’re good to go. It’s simple, affordable, and includes AI-driven capabilities you’d typically see in higher-end products across the HP Poly portfolio.
Craig Durr: So, is BYOD still relevant in today's market?
Brian Phillips: Absolutely. Smaller companies need cost-effective, easy-to-manage video solutions. Larger enterprises also have needs for quick-to-deploy, low-maintenance solutions for huddle rooms or focus rooms. BYOD lets people bring their own devices without overburdening IT teams.
Craig Durr: That aligns with our internal market data—about 27–28% of devices sold last quarter were BYOD. It’s clearly a persistent trend. The simplicity of solutions like the V12 matters, especially when dealing with generalist IT staff in smaller orgs, or patching collaboration gaps in the enterprise. Does that reflect what you’re seeing?
Brian Phillips: Exactly. Simplicity and scalability are critical. BYOD isn't going away anytime soon.
Craig Durr: You launched the V12 in February at ISE in Barcelona, and it just became generally available?
Brian Phillips: That’s right—shipping started at the end of March.
Craig Durr: Let’s talk specs. What stands out?
Brian Phillips: The V12 is purpose-built for small rooms, with a wide 120-degree field of view and a 20MP camera. That allows deep zooming without losing resolution—great for speaker framing or capturing a whiteboard. The high pixel count gives us flexibility in how AI features like auto-framing work.
Craig Durr: And those features are supported by integrations with Microsoft Teams and Zoom?
Brian Phillips: Yes. Both platforms leverage these AI features. For I/O, it’s simple: USB to the laptop, power, and optionally Ethernet for PoE++. That also enables network management via Poly Lens—our cloud-based management solution.
Craig Durr: So this is a network-managed device, though not making calls via the network?
Brian Phillips: Correct. Video calls still run through the connected compute (like a laptop or Teams/Zoom Room PC), but PoE++ allows remote management and power delivery—simplifying deployment significantly.
Craig Durr: Let’s talk audio. What’s inside?
Brian Phillips: We included stereo speakers—most devices this size don’t. You’ll get great audio for calls, but also for media playback. Audio pickup is a strength of ours, and this includes our updated NoiseBlock AI, which now reduces not only noise but also room reverberation—essential for glass-heavy small spaces.
Craig Durr: And on the video side, tell me about Director AI.
Brian Phillips: Director AI manages multiple smart camera modes: group framing, people framing (compositing individuals together), and speaker framing. It uses both visual and audio cues for fast switching. These modes can be configured by users via the Poly Lens desktop app or centrally by IT through the cloud.
Craig Durr: And Poly Lens is the go-to for that management experience, both locally and centrally?
Brian Phillips: Exactly. Either end users or IT can set behavior. IT can even pre-configure modes across rooms.
Craig Durr: What’s the ideal room scenario for the V12?
Brian Phillips: Rooms up to five people. For mid-sized rooms, we recommend the Studio V52. For large rooms, it’s the V72, which has dual cameras for better coverage. But the V12 was purpose-built for those tight huddle or focus spaces.
Craig Durr: What’s the user experience like walking into a room?
Brian Phillips: For BYOD, it’s plug-and-play—USB and HDMI. But this can also be deployed with dedicated compute, like an HP Poly Teams Room bundle, where you walk in and just hit "Join" on the TC10 touch controller. Same applies for Zoom Room deployments.
Craig Durr: So there’s flexibility: BYOD or full PC-based solutions, depending on the room’s workflow?
Brian Phillips: Right. And the best part is that you get consistency across room types, whether using Android-based Studio X bars or the Windows-based V series. Devices look similar, have matching features, and deliver a consistent user experience.
Craig Durr: And that includes AI features and Poly Lens support across the board?
Brian Phillips: Yes. NoiseBlock AI and Director AI are available across both the V and X portfolios. Whether you’re managing Windows, Android, or BYOD setups, you get the same admin tools and analytics via Poly Lens.
Craig Durr: That helps IT teams standardize and scale confidently. Are these devices recognized in native Teams and Zoom admin tools as well?
Brian Phillips: They are. Being certified means they show up in partner ecosystems like Microsoft Teams Admin Center and Zoom Device Management. We’re also close to achieving Google Meet certification.
Craig Durr: That’s a crucial platform—especially in education and small business. What does the V12 replace in your lineup?
Brian Phillips: It replaces both the Studio R30 and Studio USB. While targeted at small rooms, V12 can also be an upgrade for Studio USB users who want newer features.
Craig Durr: As someone who’s followed this space, I see HP Poly hitting a stride here. It’s a well-rounded, consistent portfolio. Are we at the endgame?
Brian Phillips: Not at all. This marks the beginning. The new hardware platform gives us headroom to deliver future innovations via software. The whole portfolio has been refreshed, so now we’re building on that foundation with new capabilities.
Craig Durr: I recently attended HP Imagine and saw the broader alignment across HP’s hybrid work vision. It’s good to see collaboration devices playing their part alongside compute, printing, and workplace solutions. It’s all coming together.
Brian Phillips: That’s the strategy—unifying the experience. Whether someone’s docking at a hoteling station or stepping into a meeting room, all their tools work together to make the day seamless.
Craig Durr: As the saying goes, customers shouldn’t see your org chart—they should just see things work. Where can people learn more?
Brian Phillips: Visit hp.com and go to the collaboration section. And if you're heading to Infocomm, we’ll be there with more announcements. Definitely stop by.
Craig Durr: Brian, thanks for joining us and walking us through not just the V12, but HP Poly’s broader direction. This rounds out your portfolio and reflects a strong commitment to customer needs. Stay tuned for more Decision Point episodes as we continue to bring you insights to support your workplace strategy.
