How to Video Conference?

Video conferencing works like a 2 way TV, you can see and hear people who are physically elsewhere. The core technology used in the equipment is digital compression of audio and video streams in real time. The hardware and software that performs compression is called a codec. The images from 2 or more sites are transmitted by ISDN lines or over IP networks and this process is known as a video conference. How to do this is can be as easy as making a telephone call nowadays. A video conference meeting can also been known as a 'video link', 'video meeting' or 'visual collaboration'. The main equipment manufacturers are Polycom, Tandberg, Aethra and Lifesize. These manufacturers are all working to the same protocols so the systems are able to link across brand.

When more than 2 sites together, it is known as a multipoint conference. Some systems are able to link up to 4 sites together, but it is more usual to use an external video conference provider - a bridging service to connect the separate locations as bridges (MCU) are able to connect to an unlimited number of video conferencing sites.

Telepresence is 'next generation' video conferencing which uses one, two or three large screens and uses specific room design and high definition technology to simulate being in the same room. Currently some telepresence systems such as Cisco are using proprietary technology and are not able to directly connect with other systems from different manufacturers.

With most video conferencing systems you can display papers using the electronic document camera, show information direct from your pc, you can also play a DVD, or record your own presentation Data sharing and whiteboarding are also useful additions.

To video conference straight away without buying any equipment, all you need to do is book an Eyenetwork video conference center.