Teleconferencing

Teleconferencing

An office automation development with cost-saving potential, as it’s a method of using technology to bring people and ideas together despite geographical barriers. There are several verities of teleconferencing, but the most common today is Video conferencing.

Video Conferencing:

A set of interactive telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously.

The core technology used in a video teleconference (VTC) system is digital compression of audio and video streams in real time. The hardware or software that performs compression is called a codec (coder/decoder).

The other components required for a VTC system include:

Video input: video camera or webcam

Video output: computer monitor, television or projector

Audio input: microphones

Audio output: usually loudspeakers associated with the display device or telephone

Data transfer: analog or digital telephone network, LAN or Internet

Video teleconferencing is more than a two way audio and video system, though. Because computers can be linked to the videoconferencing network, documents and images stored on magnetic or optical devices are accessible to conference participants. Information retrieved from central database or entered into a computer or server linked to the network can be transmitted to all conference locations simultaneously. And the parties to the videoconference do not have to use computers or terminals to participate their comments and passing them to the network for transmission.

There are various types of videoconferencing; which is suitable for your application will depend upon the IT structure available and what it is that you actually want to achieve.

Systems may be installed at all or any of the following: -

- On the desktop PC

- A dedicated videoconference suite

- Mobile - for use when and where the need arises.

Video conferencing has in the past been relatively expensive, but prices are coming down and it is possible for anyone with a fast enough internet connection to operate a video conference.

Basic Videoconferencing Technology

Compressed video systems allow a larger audience to experience the benefits of high-quality videoconferencing at a reasonable cost.

Rather than an Internet-based connection, such as that used by webcams, which have to share bandwidth with other Internet data, a compressed video system on a dedicated bandwidth provides smooth audio and video.

The compressed videoconferencing may be transmitted via an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line or over IP (Internet Protocol) lines. It is an economical solution for high-quality videoconferencing.

Videoconference Connections:

Videoconference can be done using either of the following ways:

1- telephone lines

2- ISDN

3- IP (Internet Protocol) lines

The most significant distinction among videoconferencing systems is the method of transmission.