What is Video Conferencing?

Simply put, video conferencing allows face-to-face meetings without having to be in the same physical location. Now that we’re together, what can we do?

• See and hear each other
• Share documents
• See video clips
• Watch computer displayed information
• Share whiteboard information

(If it seems like there are a lot of terms floating out there, you’re right. Telepresence, video teleconference, videoconference, video calls and video phone calls are all other terms for real-time, two-way audio-video interactions at different locations.)

Video conferencing is becoming a mainstream application. It used to be out-of-reach for all but the largest companies. Not so anymore. Even small to medium-sized organizations can participate with high-definition systems for under $1000 or lower-definition but free web-based video conferencing.

Over time, we’ll get see greater high-definition quality, larger life-sized images and we’ll have the ability to connect to video conferences outside our own organizations.

Types of Video Conferencing

Broadly, there are two categories:

• Multi-point video conferencing - three or more separate locations
• Point-to-point video conferencing - two different locations

Two Locations: Point-to-Point Video Conferencing

Video conferencing or video calls between just two locations is called point-to-point video conferencing.

Although a room-based (telepresence) system can certainly be used for point-to-point video conferencing, often web-based video communications software or desktop, “executive systems”, video phones or “media phones” are used.

Three or More Locations: Multi-Point Video Conferencing

For organizations with geographically dispersed branch offices and employees, video conferencing enables multiple locations to meet simultaneously.

Room-based (telepresence) video conference systems, video phones, and web-based video conferencing software are all used for multi-point video conferencing.

Video Conferencing Equipment

Today video conferencing takes on many forms, from conference room-based systems to executive systems, video (media) phones and web-based or computer video conferencing software. The terminology for video conferencing equipment varies by vendor.

Room-Based Video Conferencing Systems

Room-based systems are housed in a conference room, sometimes dedicated only to video conferencing. Generally these are used for multi-point video conferencing.

Cisco, LifeSize, Tandberg, HP and Sony manufacture telepresence systems, the highest-end videoconferencing systems. Telepresence systems and service are characterized by:

• state-of-the art room designs
• high-definition video (30 frames per second or higher, 720 pixels)
• high-definition audio (far superior to standard PSTN audio)
• top-of-the line video cameras
• life-sized display images on 60+ inch screens
• high-end sound-systems and processors
• high-capacity bandwidth transmissions
• groupware, directory, unified communication systems and streaming/content management system integration
• integrated session recoding, including in some cases, shared data content
• $2,500-$500,000+ per room costs

Video conference room-based systems can include smaller screen systems and non-HD quality.

Executive Video Conferencing Systems

Executive video conferencing systems generally refer to all hardware-based systems used by individuals on their desks. These bring the ultimate in convenience. Now you only have to leave your desk to refill your coffee cup.

Video phones or “media phones” also fall into this category, although they are not as widely deployed.

Tandberg, Polycom, Samsung/Radvision and Sony are the market leaders in executive systems or video phones. These executive systems are characterized by:

• Integrated flat-panel screen, video camera, and microphone with phone interface
• Full-duplex (bi-directional) video and audio transmission capability
• High-quality video images from standard to high-definition
• Some enable groupware, directory, unified communication systems and streaming/content management system integration
• Some include integrated session recoding, including in some cases, shared data content
• $800 - $5,000 per device

Web-Based Video Conferencing

Many software and browser-based solutions for video conferencing or video calls abound. Most video communication today is over these types of solutions.

Web-based video conferencing involves:

• “softphone” technology – either downloaded or browser-based software
• web cams
• microphones
• Internet connection
• $0 (nice!)

Skype, Google, MicroSoft, WebEx, Avistar, ToxBox, Vidyo and many other companies provide free video conferencing for use with webcams on a computer.

Personal video communication is most common with this technology, since it’s free. Increasingly, organizations are using this technology to keep people connected, especially if price trumps quality.

What To Do With This Technology?

Limitless Applications

Oh, the places you can go! (Or rather, stay and see). Uses for video conferencing are only limited by the imagination. It’s already widely used for business collaboration but also valuable in education, government and medicine. For example, in:

• Business
  • Executive meetings
  • Regular management meetings
  • Sales
  • R&D
  • Manufacturing
  • Marketing
  • Recruiting
• Education
  • Guest lectures
  • Distance learning
  • Recruiting
• Government
  • Legal testimony
  • Military personnel
• Telemedicine
  • Diagnostics
  • Emergency treatment
  • Videoendoscopy
  • Medical ultrasound
  • Rehabilitation

The Future of Video Conferencing

In the near future, spurred by trends in outsourcing, cloud computer and SaaS (software as a service), you’ll see organizations consider purchasing video conferencing as a service. Verizon, Vidtel and Glowpoint are developing services to help companies get more value from video conferencing and reduce management costs.

The possibilities are endless. As affordability, scalability, manageability, improved quality, and service options come along, video conferencing will continue on its explosive growth path. Don’t toss your hair dryer. You’re going to need it.

Interested in learning more about how video conferencing can benefit your business? Give one of VoIP Supply's IP communications specialists a call at 800.398.8647 to learn more about how video conferencing can improve your business!