VIDEO CONFERENCING

VIDEO   CONFERENCING

A videoconference or video conference  is a set of interactive telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously. It has also been called 'visual collaboration' and is a type of groupware.

·         Videoconferencing differs from videophone calls in that it's designed to serve a conference rather than individuals. It is an intermediate form of videotelephony, first deployed commercially by AT&T during the early 1970s using their Picturephone technology.

Videoconferencing first demonstrated in 1968.

Videoconferencing uses telecommunications of audio and video to bring people at different sites together for a meeting. This can be as simple as a conversation between two people in private offices (point-to-point) or involve several sites (multi-point) with more than one person in large rooms at different sites. Besides the audio and visual transmission of meeting activities, videoconferencing can be used to share documents, computer-displayed information, and whiteboards.

This technique was very expensive, though, and could not be used for applications such as telemedicine, distance education, and business meetings.

In the 2000s, video-telephony was popularized via free Internet services such as Skype and iChat, web plugging and on-line telecommunication programs which promoted low cost, albeit low-quality, videoconferencing to virtually every location with an Internet connection.

The following are needed for video conference.

Video input : video camera or webcam

Video output: computer monitor , television or projector

Audio input: microphones,

Audio output: loudspeakers

Data transfer: LAN or Internet

There are several types of dedicated videoconferencing devices:

Large group videoconferencing are non-portable, large, more expensive devices used for large rooms and auditoriums.

Small group videoconferencing are non-portable or portable, smaller, less expensive devices used for small meeting rooms.

Individual videoconferencing are usually portable devices, meant for single users, have fixed cameras, microphones and loudspeakers integrated into the console.

Problems

Some observers argue that two outstanding issues are preventing videoconferencing from becoming a standard form of communication.

Eye Contact: It is known that eye contact plays a large role in conversational turn-taking, perceived attention and intent, and other aspects of group communication.

The issue of eye-contact may be solved with advancing technology, and presumably the issue of appearance consciousness will fade as people become accustomed to videoconferencing.

Videoconferencing adds another possible alternative, and can be considered when:

1.      a live conversation is needed;

2.      visual information is an important component of the conversation;

3.      the parties of the conversation can't physically come to the same location; or  the expense or time of travel is a consideration.

4.      Deaf, hard-of-hearing and mute individuals have a particular interest in the development of affordable high-quality videoconferencing as a means of communicating with each other in sign language.

Mass adoption and use of video conferencing is still relatively low, with the following often claimed as causes:

Impact on education

Videoconferencing provides students with the opportunity to learn by participating in a 2-way communication platform. Furthermore, teachers and lecturers from all over the world can be brought to classes in remote or otherwise isolated places. Students from diverse communities and backgrounds can come together to learn about one another. Students are able to explore, communicate, analyze and share information and ideas with one another.

Through videoconferencing students can visit another part of the world to speak with others, visit a zoo, a museum and so on, to learn. These "virtual field trips" can bring opportunities to children, especially those in geographically isolated locations, or the economically disadvantaged. Small schools can use this technology to pool resources and teach courses (such as foreign languages) which could not otherwise be offered.

Few examples of how videoconferencing can benefit people,

1.      faculty member keeps in touch with class while away for a week at a conference

2.      guest lecturer brought into a class from another institution

3.      researcher collaborates with colleagues at other institutions on a regular basis without loss of time due to travel

4.      schools with multiple campuses can collaborate and share professors

5.      faculty member participates in a thesis defense at another institution

6.      administrators on tight schedules collaborate on a budget preparation from different parts of campus

7.      faculty committee auditions a scholarship candidate

8.      researcher answers questions about a grant proposal from an agency or review committee

9.      student interviews with an employer in another city

10.  teleseminars

Impact on medicine and health

Videoconferencing is a very useful technology for telemedicine and telenursing applications, such as diagnosis, consulting, transmission of medical images, etc., in real time in countries where this is legal. Rural areas can use this technology for diagnostic purposes, thus saving lives and making more efficient use of health care money.

Impact on business

Videoconferencing can enable individuals in faraway places to have meetings on short notice. Time and money that used to be spent in travelling can be used to have short meetings. Technology such as VOIP can be used in conjunction with desktop videoconferencing to enable low-cost face-to-face business meetings without leaving the desk, especially for businesses with widespread offices.

Videoconferencing is now being introduced to online networking websites, in order to help businesses form profitable relationships quickly and efficiently without leaving their place of work. This has been leveraged by banks to connect busy banking professionals with customers in various locations using video banking technology.

Impact on law

Videoconferencing has allowed testimony to be used for individuals who are not able to attend the physical legal settings.

The systems link the jail and the court room, reducing the expenses and major security risks of transporting prisoners to the courtroom.

Impact on media relations

Press videoconferencing permits international press conferences via videoconferencing over the Internet.

Journalists can participate on an international press conference from any location, without leaving their offices or countries. They need only be seated by a computer connected to the Internet in order to ask their questions to the speaker.

In 2004, the International Monetary Fund introduced the Online Media Briefing Center, a password-protected site available only to professional journalists. The site enables the IMF to present press briefings globally and facilitates direct questions to briefers from the press.