Cisco Codec EQ CS-CODEC-EQ-NRK9 – No-Radio Standalone Codec

Product Overview

Where a security policy bars wireless radios from a meeting space, the Cisco Codec EQ is ordered as CS-CODEC-EQ-NRK9. Cisco removes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on non-radio versions while leaving the wired feature set intact: three HDMI 2.0 outputs at up to 4K60, three HDMI inputs plus USB-C, four 802.3bt PoE++ ports sharing 90W, and AES67 audio networking. That makes it the practical specification for SCIFs, defence sites, RF-restricted clinical areas and laboratories where an unmanaged emitter is not permitted. Codec EQ is current, and Cisco names the standalone codec as the replacement for the end-of-sale Codec Plus.

Product Description

The trade-off on a non-radio codec is convenience against inspectability. Miracast is listed by Cisco as unavailable on the non-radio version, and Bluetooth discovery for AirPlay is not present, so the room must be designed with wired presentation paths from the start. In practice that means the three HDMI 1.4b inputs at up to 3840 x 2160 at 30 fps, the USB-C input at up to 4K30, and USB-C passthrough that hands a visiting laptop the room camera, microphone and speakers over a single cable.

Everything else on the codec is unchanged. Three HDMI 2.0 outputs at up to 4K60 with CEC 2.0 drive dual-display video plus a content screen; four PoE++ 10/100/1000 ports share a 90W budget for camera control, the Room Navigator, an audio amplifier and AV-over-IP peripherals; and up to three video-over-IP streams at 1080p60 or one at 4K30 arrive on those same ports. Cameras Cisco documents with the codec are the Quad Camera, Room Vision PTZ, PTZ 4K and Precision 60.

Audio integration is often the reason a secure site chooses this codec over a video bar. Three analog mini-jack inputs, a USB-A input for a DSP, an analog line out prepared for an inductive loop, and AES67 interoperability let the codec join an existing networked audio design. Up to eight Cisco IP microphone units or third-party AES67 microphones are supported, with more than three IP microphones requiring the AV Integrator license; plan pickup with ceiling and table microphones and conference audio systems accordingly.

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 and carries a Kensington lock slot. RoomOS 11.1.2 or later is required, and the codec registers to Cisco Unified CM 12.5 or later, Cisco Expressway, Webex, or runs Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android. See large room solutions for the wider secure-room build. 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

• No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth radio — Cisco states Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not available in non-radio versions, so the codec is cabled to the LAN and the room carries no unmanaged wireless emitter.
• 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 — a codec with no wireless radio meets facility rules that bar unmanaged RF emitters from meeting rooms.
• Boardroom — an executive room runs entirely on wired HDMI, USB-C and PoE++ paths that can be physically inspected.
• Large conference room — video over IP across four PoE++ ports keeps multi-camera builds on structured cabling.
• Commercial meeting space — organisations with RF-restricted floors can standardise on the same codec as the rest of the estate.
• Training room — wired PresenterTrack cameras and IP microphones cover instructional spaces without wireless links.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is removed on the non-radio version?

Cisco states that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not available in non-radio versions. Miracast wireless sharing is also listed as unavailable on the non-radio version, so the room should be designed around wired presentation paths and a cabled LAN connection.

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 work with an existing DSP or house audio system?

Yes. Codec EQ supports AES67 for interoperability with third-party audio systems and digital microphones, provides a USB-A audio input and output for connecting a DSP, three analog mini-jack inputs and a stereo analog line out that Cisco states is prepared for an inductive loop.

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.