Video conference is the medium to connect more than two people. These people can be anywhere around the world and are linked through internet networks. The main purpose of these networks is to transfer audio and video data.
This is just like a telephone or mobile call but with the video features. Video conferencing systems use various components and techniques to send and receive signals from one place to another.
A point-to-point video conference is when two people are involved in the network. More than two people conversing is called multipoint videoconferencing and has been developed recently.
Two decades ago the hardware cost made videoconferencing difficult, but with the rapid growth of technology, people can now talk as if they are sitting right next to each other.
Telepresence videoconferencing
This type of videoconferencing is applied in business meetings and other conferences. And are usually applicable if the distance is short between the people.
The equipment is placed at the eye level of each user and they can talk to each other as if sitting in the same room. Large screens are usually operated for this type of system. The set-up is an easy one and no delays occur.
Codec
It compresses the data for an easy and secure transfer. It is like a room-based framework. It helps to direct a virtual video chat, in which the person appears as if he is present in front of you. Large screens are utilized for this purpose, along with the cameras and microphones.
This type of video conferencing differs from telepresence because it allows you a lot of space. You can move freely across the room and can still be in the frame. This system is utilized in online teaching classes, when addressing to protests, etc.
The setup is quite affordable and requires $2000-8000, varying on the quality of the system. Additional charged may apply for maintenance.
Service-based conferencing systems
A telecom carrier does all the work for you in this type. The set-up, maintenance, troubleshooting, and watching for technical faults rest on the carriers’ shoulder. All you have to do is pay for the system.
The basics are the same as other video conferencing systems, transferring audio and video data to and from different places. But the workload is changed. In this type, you just have to be online, the rest is done by the service carrier.
Desktop videoconferencing
This is the most common type of conferencing and people of all occupations utilize this in their daily life. There are two choices for this setup. Codec hardware or desktop software. In this system, only one component, which is an all-in-one equipment, is used and that is your desktop or personal computer.
This setup takes conferencing on another level and people can connect anywhere, anytime. Mobiles, tablets, laptops, and computers use this setup to be a part of visual conferencing. It has a lot of benefits like a touch-screen control, collaboration tools, multi-conference options, and they work to enhance the effects of visual conferences.
Integrated video conferencing
As the title reflects, all the videos are integrated into one common point. Ideal for classrooms, boardroom discussions, surveillance, and many other purposes, the integrated systems provide a lot of benefits to the users. These include both the hardware and codec facilities.
City surveillance is the most common example of these set-ups. Cameras and microphones are installed everywhere and are monitored in a single room – the centralized location. Inboard meetings and classrooms, different people from different sites are connected by placing all the equipment in one room.
Videoconferencing – how it’s done
To organize a successful video conference, first, you need all the components functioning correctly. Then comes the data compression. CODEC compresses or encodes this data with enormous bandwidths into digital packets at the sender’s end, and decompresses or decodes it at the receivers’ end.
Media standards and network signals play an important role in all the video conferencing systems. If your media or components are failing, you cannot operate successfully. Similarly, if the network is not established properly, the visuals and audio are not transmitted properly and eventually, you lose contact. These technical things should be, thus, maintained for optimized results.
