Cisco Codec EQ CS-CODEC-EQ-K9++ – TAA Compliant Standalone Codec

Product Overview

Agencies buying against TAA and Buy American rules order the Cisco Codec EQ as CS-CODEC-EQ-K9++. The hardware matches the standard standalone codec exactly, which means 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. What the ++ suffix changes is the contract path, so a federal AV team can specify the same room design used at its commercial sites without a waiver. Codec EQ is a current Cisco product and is the named replacement for the end-of-sale Codec Plus.

Product Description

Federal AV procurement usually fails on part numbers rather than on design. Specifying the TAA-eligible CS-CODEC-EQ-K9++ at the requirements stage keeps a Pro-class integrator codec inside a GSA schedule or a TAA-constrained requisition and avoids a mid-project substitution to hardware with different I/O.

For a government boardroom or briefing room, the codec's I/O count decides how many sources and screens the room can carry. Three HDMI 1.4b inputs accept up to 3840 x 2160 at 30 fps with HDCP 1.4 on one input, a USB-C input adds up to 4K30, and four PoE++ Ethernet ports carry up to three 1080p60 video-over-IP streams or one 4K30 stream. Three HDMI 2.0 outputs at up to 4K60 with CEC 2.0 drive dual-display video plus a content screen.

Audio is designed for rooms with existing infrastructure, which is common in older federal buildings. Three analog mini-jack inputs, a USB-A input for a DSP or USB microphone, an analog line out that Cisco states is prepared for an inductive loop, and AES67 interoperability let the codec sit alongside installed reinforcement rather than replace it. Up to eight Cisco IP microphone units are supported, with more than three requiring the AV Integrator license; see conference microphones for the pickup design.

Registration flexibility matters where an agency runs mixed platforms. Cisco lists native registration to Cisco Unified CM 12.5 or later, native Cisco Expressway registration, Webex, third-party H.323 and SIP call control, and Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android. The 18.6 x 1.7 x 8 in., 5.1 lb chassis mounts on a wall, on CS-CODEC-EQ-RCK rack ears or free-standing. For the full agency room build, see large room solutions and video conference systems. 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

• TAA-compliant part number — CS-CODEC-EQ-K9++ is the TAA part number for Codec EQ, which lets federal, GSA and Buy American-constrained buyers specify the current Cisco integrator codec.
• 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.
• Multiple registration modes — The same hardware registers natively to Webex, to Cisco Unified Communications Manager 12.5 or later, to Cisco Expressway, or runs Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android, so one part number covers cloud, on-premises and Microsoft-first deployments.

Typical Applications

• Government space — an agency briefing room gets three display outputs and AES67 audio on a part number that satisfies federal procurement rules.
• Boardroom — a fixed executive room is served by three 4K60 HDMI outputs and up to eight IP microphones.
• Large conference room — four PoE++ ports carry video and audio over IP for multi-camera agency conference builds.
• Training room — PresenterTrack follows an instructor within a defined zone using a Room Vision PTZ or PTZ 4K camera.
• All-hands room — Extended Speaker view with an additional PTZ camera and IP microphones covers deep presentation spaces.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CS-CODEC-EQ-K9++ the TAA version of the same codec?

Yes. Cisco describes this part number as the Codec EQ for TAA in a stand-alone configuration. The published hardware specification is the same as the standard CS-CODEC-EQ-K9.

What call control platforms does Codec EQ register to?

Cisco lists native registration on Cisco Unified Communications Manager v12.5 or later, native registration with Cisco Expressway, Webex, and third-party H.323 gatekeepers and standards-based SIP proxies. The codec also runs Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android, with native Webex meetings available when it is registered in Control Hub.

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.

Can it be integrated with a third-party control system?

Cisco's published Codec EQ specifications list no RS-232, GPIO, relay or contact-closure ports, and no Crestron, Extron or AMX driver list, so control integration should be planned over the network rather than over serial or contact closure. Confirm driver availability with your control-system vendor before committing a design.

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.