A video teleconference (also known as a videoconference) is a meeting among persons where both telephony and closed circuit television technologies are utilized simultaneously. Video teleconference communication is multi-way and synchronous, as it would be if all parties were in the same room.

Requirements

• video input: video camera or webcam
• video output: computer monitor or television
• audio input: microphones
• audio output: usually speakers associated with the display device or telephone
• data transfer: telephone network or the internet

History

The major expense in establishing a video conferencing system is in the video technology, which requires a video camera, video display, and a fast data connection. Because of these requirements, video conferencing has been quite expensive until recently.

In recent years, IP (internet protocol) based video conferencing has been overtaking traditional ISDN-based systems. Internet video conferencing has the advantage that it is accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a webcam. In addition, it becomes possible to integrate live video with web conferencing, allowing for a much richer multimedia environment for live meetings and presentations.

Impact on business

Video conferencing can be used as an imperfect substitute for many face-to-face meeting requirements where the cost or time required for physical transportation of parties is undesirable. For instance, interviews with job applicants, business meetings, and lectures can be conducted effectively via video conference.

For business purposes, the current preference is for the use of private or virtual private network connections for video teleconferencing which guarantees better performance and transmission security. Local area network infrastructure provides for high-bandwidth communication suitable to the application of video conferencing technology.

Impact on the general public

As fast internet connectivity has become widely available and the cost of video capture and display technology has decreased, personal video conferencing systems based on web cam, personal computer and broadband internet connection has become affordable for the general public.

Vendors and Products

• Comprehensive resource list of video conferencing vendors, products, & services (http://thinkofit.com/webconf/video.htm)

Equipment manufacturers

• Tandberg

Operating companies and Solution Providers

• Access Grid
• MegaMeeting.com (http://www.megameeting.com/)
• Camfrog Webcam Chat (http://www.camfrog.com)
• First Virtual Communications (http://www.fvc.com/index.htm)

Software

• SightSpeed
• MegaMeeting ... or on the web (http://www.megameeting.com/)
• NetMeeting ... or on the web (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/netmeeting/)
• GnomeMeeting ... or on the web (http://www.gnomemeeting.org/)
• Tlen
• iChat AV

External links

• Video Conferencing (http://www.conferencing-guide.com/video-conferencing.php) online resource for learning about video conferencing