Information+on+Voice+Conferencing

=__Video Conferencing__=

Video Conferencing - a technology that uses the telecommunication of audio and visual to connect people at different locations. This can used for more than just the transmission of the vision of people, but also white boards, shared documents (since video conferencing can only be done over the web) and also computer-displayed information. Also known as videoteleconference (VTC) = = What is needed - Input and output of video (cameras or web cams; and computer screens, television or projectors), input and output of audio (microphones and speakers), data transferring (LAN/internet or a network which allows multiple users to connect and transfer data)

Types of Video Conferencing: 1) Large group VTC -- non-portable, large, expensive, used for large rooms and auditoriums 2) Small group VTC -- non-portable or portable, smaller, less expensive, used for small meeting rooms 3) Individual VTC -- usually portable devices, meant for single users, have fixed cameras, microphones and loudspeakers integrated into the console

Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) -- used for simultaneous videoconferencing among three or more parties. These are stand-alone hardware that is needed to be bought and embedded into the different VTC systems

Issues Concerning: 1) Eye Contact - Eye contact plays a large role in conversations, but even though voice conferencing as compared to traditional voice calls have both audio and video, voice conferencing provides an incorrect impression that a person is avoiding eye contact. This is because the focal point of the camera and the focal point of the screen is at 2 different positions.

2) Appearance Consciousness: Having to be on camera for the whole time during the voice conferencing, people now have the burden of having to present themselves appropriately during a video conferencing instead of a voice conferencing

3) Complexity of systems - Most users are not technical, hence if a problem were to occur, it is very hard for the user to solve it him/herself.

4) Cost of system - For a high quality and well designed system, this would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

5) Bandwidth and quality of service - Issues concerning the quality of the video. For a high quality streaming, it requires the user to have a very high bandwidth which also relates to the cost of the system.

Impact on Business (Taken from Wikipedia):
Videoconferencing can enable individuals in faraway places to have meetings on short notice. Time and money that used to be spent in traveling 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 wide-spread offices. The technology is also used for telecommuting, in which employees work from home. Telepresence videoconferencing, where participants are able to see each other in reasonable life-like sizes and little delay in video transmissions, has started to make an impact on business meetings. Some good business cases have been built on substitution of international travel with telepresence conferencing. 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. Although it already has proven its potential value, research has shown that many employees do not use the videoconference equipment because they are afraid that they will appear to be wasting time or looking for the easiest way if they use videoconferencing to enhance customer and supplier relationships. This anxiety can be avoided if managers use the technology in front of their employees. .

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