Cisco Codec EQ CS-CODEC-EQ= – Spare Service Unit Only

Product Overview

CS-CODEC-EQ= is the service-unit part number for the Cisco Codec EQ, held as spare stock rather than ordered as a new room system. The trailing = marks it as a service replacement, so it is bought by organisations maintaining an installed fleet and by integrators carrying swap-out inventory under a support contract. Electrically it matches the deployed codec: three HDMI 2.0 outputs at up to 4K60, three HDMI inputs plus USB-C, four 802.3bt PoE++ ports sharing 90W and support for up to eight Cisco IP microphone units. Codec EQ remains a current Cisco product, so spares bought now stay aligned with the rest of the estate.

Product Description

Sparing decisions for room codecs come down to downtime tolerance. A boardroom that hosts a weekly executive meeting cannot wait for an RMA cycle, which is why estates standardised on Codec EQ hold service units locally. Because the replacement is the same codec, a swap reuses the existing HDMI, analog audio, USB and PoE++ terminations and the same port assignments, so the room returns to service without a re-commissioning visit.

Before the swap, confirm the interface map against the failed unit. Video in is three HDMI 1.4b ports at up to 3840 x 2160 at 30 fps with HDCP 1.4 on one input, plus a USB-C input at up to 4K30 and four PoE++ Ethernet ports carrying up to three 1080p60 video-over-IP streams. Video out is three HDMI 2.0 ports at up to 4K60 with CEC 2.0. Audio in is three analog mini-jack inputs, three HDMI embedded inputs, USB-C and USB-A, and audio over IP on the PoE++ ports.

Software baseline matters as much as the hardware. Cisco specifies RoomOS 11.1.2 or later, and the codec registers to Webex, Cisco Unified CM 12.5 or later, Cisco Expressway or runs Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android, so the service unit should be brought to the same platform and version as the room it replaces. Organisations sparing complete rooms often keep matching camera hardware and room control devices in the same stock.

The chassis is 18.6 x 1.7 x 8 in. and 5.1 lb, mounting on a wall, on CS-CODEC-EQ-RCK rack ears or free-standing, so it drops back into the same position in the credenza or rack. If you are building new rooms rather than repairing them, start from video conference systems instead. Cisco publishes no standalone Codec EQ data sheet; all Codec EQ specifications appear inside the Cisco Room Kit EQ and Room Kit EQX data sheets.

Key Features

• Spare service unit part number — The = suffix identifies this as a service replacement for an existing Codec EQ deployment rather than a complete new room system.
• Identical I/O to the deployed codec — Three HDMI outputs, three HDMI inputs, USB-C, four PoE++ ports and three analog audio inputs mean a swap needs no re-cabling of the room.
• Three 4K60 HDMI outputs — Codec EQ drives up to three external displays at 3840 x 2160 at 60 fps from a single codec, which lets an integrator build dual-display video plus a dedicated content screen without an external scaler.
• Seven video inputs across three transports — Three HDMI inputs, one USB-C input and four PoE++ Ethernet ports carrying up to three 1080p60 video-over-IP streams give an integrator multiple simultaneous camera and content sources on one codec.
• 90W PoE++ power budget on four ports — The four 802.3bt PoE++ ports power and control cameras, the Room Navigator, an audio amplifier and AV-over-IP peripherals from the codec itself, reducing the number of local power outlets required at each device location.
• AES67 audio networking — Codec EQ interoperates with third-party audio systems and digital microphones over AES67, so it can be dropped into rooms that already have a networked DSP infrastructure.
• Up to eight Cisco IP microphones — The codec supports up to eight Cisco IP microphone units or third-party AES67 digital microphones, with more than three IP microphones requiring the AV Integrator license.
• USB-C BYOD passthrough — A single USB-C cable passes camera, microphone and speakers to a laptop while also carrying content sharing and 4K30 display extension, which removes the need for a separate BYOD switching box.
• Rack, wall or free-standing mounting — Optional rack ears (CS-CODEC-EQ-RCK) and a wall-mount kit (CS-CODEC-EQ-WMK) mean the same unit fits a credenza, an equipment rack or a wall behind the display.

Typical Applications

• Boardroom — replaces a failed codec in a standardised executive room without disturbing the HDMI, analog audio and PoE++ terminations already installed.
• Large conference room — restores a multi-camera front-of-room build to service using identical port assignments.
• Training room — keeps instructional spaces on the same RoomOS platform and camera behaviour as the rest of the fleet.
• Multi-purpose room — returns a divisible-room codec and its AV-over-IP peripheral duties back into service.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the = suffix mean on this part number?

Cisco lists CS-CODEC-EQ= as a spare, service-unit-only part number. It is intended as a replacement for an existing Codec EQ deployment rather than as a complete new room system.

What software version is required?

Cisco specifies RoomOS 11.1.2 and later for native Webex meetings and video interoperability. Plan the software baseline before commissioning so the codec matches the rest of the estate.

How many displays can it drive?

Three HDMI 2.0 outputs, each supporting formats up to 3840 x 2160 at 60 fps, with CEC 2.0. An interactive touch screen connects using an HDMI output plus USB-A.

How many microphones can I connect?

Up to eight Cisco IP microphone units or third-party digital microphones over AES67. Cisco states that connecting more than three IP microphones requires the Room Kit EQ AV Integrator license (L-KITEQ-AV, under L-ROOM-PAK). Three analog mini-jack inputs and a USB-A input for a DSP or USB microphone are also available.

Does it power room peripherals?

Four PoE++ (802.3bt) 10/100/1000 ports share a total budget of up to 90W for camera control, the Room Navigator touch controller, an audio amplifier and AV-over-IP peripherals. Cisco notes one PoE++ port is available for Cisco IP microphones and cameras and that the count can be expanded with an optional PoE-compatible switch.

How is the codec mounted?

Cisco lists wall mounting, rack ear mounting and free-standing placement. The optional kits are CS-CODEC-EQ-RCK rack ears and CS-CODEC-EQ-WMK wall-mount kit, with spares CS-CODEC-EQ-RCK= and CS-CODEC-EQ-WMK=. The codec measures 18.6 x 1.7 x 8 in. and weighs 5.1 lb.

What warranty applies?

Cisco publishes a 1-year limited liability warranty for the Room Kit EQ product class, which covers Codec EQ. Warranty is handled per Cisco's standard terms for this product class, so contact Creation Networks to confirm coverage for your order.