Video Conferencing Rental > What is Video Conferencing?

What is Video Conferencing?

Video conferencing works like a 2 way TV, you can see and hear people who are physically elsewhere. The core technology used in a video conference system 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 is transmitted by ISDN lines or over IP networks. A video conference connection can also been known as a 'video link', 'video meeting' or ‘visual collaboration’. The main video conference equipment manufacturers are Polycom, Tandberg, Sony, 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 video conference systems are able to link up to 4 sites together, but it is more usual to use an external 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 a type of 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 video conference equipment from different manufactures.

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.