06-02-2013, 09:56 AM
Introduction to Video Conferencing
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INTRODUCTION
This briefing paper has been written to provide an introduction to video conferencing, the technologies behind it, current hardware and software and the likely impact video conferencing will have on the higher education community in the near future. It draws heavily on a number of reports on video conferencing written as part of the Support Initiative for Multimedia Applications project.
Video conferencing has been around for some time, and is now gaining in popularity. It cannot replace person to person completely, but in many situations being able to see and hear remote co-workers, does improve communication and cut down on travel time and costs.
Technology
Video conferencing actually encompasses a range of technologies used in a wide range of situations, often it is not just video and audio that is transmitted, but also data, allowing collaborative working though shared applications. Video conferencing may be:-
• One-to-one meetings, also known as point to point communications, usually involving full two-way audio and video.
• One-to-many involving full audio and video broadcast from the main site, where other sites may be able to send audio. For example in a lecture situation, students could ask questions.
• Many-to-many, known as multi-point communication, provides audio and video between more than two sites. With most multi-point systems only one site in a conference can be seen at time, with switching between sites either controlled manually or voice activated (i.e., the loudest site is on screen).
Uses of Video Conferencing
Video conferencing is used for a variety of purposes, including:
• Personal communication. Informal communication would normally use desk top systems. More formal meetings with several participants at each site would probably use dedicated studio settings.
• Collaborative work between researchers using shared applications
• Presentations
• Education. Teaching usually involves one to many connections. The student sites may receive audio and video but only send audio.
Who Can Benefit?
The following types of businesses are those who can really benefit from video conferencing:
• Businesses with customers throughout the world.
• International businesses who wish to communicate with colleagues in other countries.
• Business with a customer base or employees all around the country.