Video conferencing for everyone

It use to be that video conferencing was only available to the largest of enterprises. Video conferencing systems cost too much and required too much bandwidth for the average user or small business to even think about deploying.

Thanks to market disruptors, falling bandwidth costs and increased demand a lot has changed in the last few years when it comes to video conferencing. Today video conferencing technology is available just about anyone who has a need for it.

And it’s taken on multiple different forms…

Personal Web Based Video Conferencing

At the bottom of the video conferencing food chain is personal web based video conferencing. Personal video conferencing is typically comprised of a simple web camera and corresponding video conferencing service that allows a user to conduct video calls with other participants utilizing the service.
Though personal web based video conferencing is often simple and very low cost, it’s still incredibly powerful and effective for users. Simply look at the number of folks leveraging Skype for video calling as proof.

Hardware Cost: $0 – $200 depending on the web camera used

Service Cost: $0 – $50/month depending on usage and provider

Desktop Video Conferencing

One rung up from personal web based video conferencing is desktop video conferencing. Desktop video conferencing is typically characterized by the use of a desktop video phone, multimedia phone or hardware system that is located, well, at one’s desk.

Desktop video conferencing systems are designed for more robust use and costs more than web based video conferencing, but provides a more personalized experience than a room based video conferencing system.

Most desktop video conferencing system allow for high definition video streams, multi-party conferencing and basic content sharing.

Hardware Cost: $250 – $5,000 depending on device

Service Cost: $50 – $5,000+ depending on usage and number of users

Room Based Video Conferencing

Room based video conferencing is what most people think of when they hear the term video conferencing. Room-based systems are housed in a conference room, sometimes dedicated only to video conferencing.

Generally these systems are used for multi-point video conferencing between office locations or partners/customers.

Room based video conferencing systems usually come with state-of-the art room designs, high definition video/audio, large display screens and collaboration software. They also require a large amount of bandwidth and can get quite expensive.

Hardware Cost: $2,500 – $500,000 per room depending on need

Service Cost: Varies based on usage

Telepresence

At the top of the video conferencing food chain is telepresence. Telepresence is best thought of as video conferencing on steriods.

The concept behind telepresence is that users actually “feel” like they are in the same room, even though they are not. This feeling is accomplished through the use of advanced video and audio technologies that come very very close to recreating the “in-person” effect.

Telepresence is still a relatively new form of video conferencing and as such is not widely available to the average user, due to the costs associated. As such a number of companies have sprung up to offer telepresence rooms that companies can rent on a hourly basis to conduct telepresence sessions.

Hardware and Service Cost: It’ll make your CFO cry…or smack you upside the head for asking.

Summary

Video conferencing has come along way and as you can see there are a number of different ways to start leveraging video to improve productivity and decrease costs. For more information about video conferencing and affordable solutions for the average business, check out the video conferencing section on VoIPSupply.com.