A Brief Introduction To Video Conferencing.

What is Video Conferencing?

This article looks at what video conferencing is, how it works and a little of the history of video conferencing.

At the most basic level video conferencing is a system that allows people in different locations to talk to each other using video screens. It is the next step up from telephone conferences and was the type of activity was still the remit of science fiction only twenty years ago. It was the advent of the high speed broadband and increasingly fast computer processers that have opened the gateway to video conferencing on a large scale.

At the entry level point of video conferencing all the equipment that is required is a webcam, a computer, a microphone and a good broadband connection. This basic equipment allows people in remote locations to talk to each other face to face and in real time. You can communicate via a web Teleconference with some simple software and a desktop computer.
Services such as Skype and the iPhones Facetime allow you to utilize your mobile phone for basic level video to video calls.

Business level video conferencing takes these basic principles and takes them up to the next level with high definition screens that can even reach life-size videos. Business level web conferencing can take the point to point video in two locations to multiple locations across different time zones and countries. This multi user level conference is called multi point conferencing. The more advanced technologies move beyond simply processing voice and video data and allow for the sharing of documents online, graphics and interactive whiteboards.

The ability to use video transmissions within a closed cable network has been possible since the early days of TV. The Third Reich in Germany used a system in there Post Offices between 1936 and 1940. The moon landings in 1969 are another example of video links within a closed network. Video conferencing works on a similar process but uses the internet and the fast data transfer rates offered by broadband to relay the video data across the network.

There are two types of video conferencing set up. The first is dedicated systems purpose built for video conferencing. This piece of bespoke equipment includes all the components required for high quality video conferencing. The audio inputs and outputs, the video inputs and outputs, display screen, camera the lan connection and a remote control for the system. These dedicated systems tend to non-portable and therefore limited to the locations that house them.

Desktop systems are set up using a computer as the main device with the video, audio and software installed to enable the computer to perform the tasks needed for video conferencing. By their nature these devices are more portable and can be set up in most locations. High spec laptops with built in webcams , microphones and speakers can be used as entry level video conferencing device.

The two standards for video conferencing are ITU H.320 for PSTN over ISDN lines. This is often used in Europe. The H.264 SVC (scalable video coding) is the standard for IP video and is widely used on the internet.
The improvement in quality of video conferencing and the reduction in costs have resulted in the technology being adopted across a wide variety of sectors. Doctors, hospitals, schools, business, courts and media organisations now all use video conferencing on a daily basis.
Tony Heywood