Video Conference and the Technology Behind Videoconferencing

Video conference is the synchronous exchange of information between people geographically located far apart, Videoconferencing is an extension to localized meeting or conference with the help of technical equipment for video and audio transmission. The difference in quality of images and sounds in Video Conference are influenced by the participants prepared for the respective devices. The Video Conference terminals have at least one camera and a microphone as input devices and screen and speakers as output devices. With only two participants, the concept is not Video Conference but Video Telephony.

The technical basis behind Video Conference

For desktop systems, the necessary components for Video Conference in a PC is needed to be installed. It is in addition of an external camera (mostly USB Webcam), a microphone or headset. There is distinction between hardware based (encoding and decoding on a plug-in card) Video Conference and purely software-based desktop system Video Conference. In addition to the relatively low cost desktop system Video Conference have the advantage that the user, during a video conference has the full access to his/her data on the PC. There are dedicated softwares for the sole purpose of Video Conference are available. The connection used is usually a Virtual Private Network, to ensure smooth real time experience.

For professional grade Video Conference, dedicated systems are used. These are known as video conferencing terminals. There are several complex technologies are involved. In case of multi point Control Unit, a gatekeeper streams as proxy forwarding system. Most professional services uses their own proprietary peer-to-peer systems or Real Time Transport Protocol for seamless video streaming.

Usage of Video Conference Systems

High end Video Conference Systems are usually used Intra and Inter Country Government conferences, Political and Health Conferences, where for various reasons physical meeting becomes a barrier. Other specific usages are :

• Telemedicine
• Telecommuting
• Press video conference
• Airline engineering
• Taking legal testimony by unavailable witnesses.