video conferencing

Choose Videoconference Carts

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:42:00 +0000

Are you tired of looking for good quality video conference carts? What are they, you ask? There is really no need to explain video conferencing carts - they are furniture built to hold video conferencing equipment. Video conferencing carts come in a variety of designs to suit different purposes.

Surprisingly, there is nothing special about their construction. At times, they even look like ordinary shelves or cabinets with wheels.

Video Conferencing Carts - Go By Function

Choose a video conferencing cart that's suitable for your needs. Video conferencing cabinets are a common and cheap alternative. They are similar to TV cabinets. The glass doors help keep your video conferencing equipment free from dust. The small size also makes it extremely portable, good when you have to drag it across rooms.

If you need to show video to a larger audience, only a tall video conference cart will do. These tall video conferencing carts are usually similar to video conferencing cabinets, except that the vertical support bars can be adjusted very high.

If you need a sturdier piece of equipment, choose a video conferencing cart with an all-steel construction. Video security cabinets with monitor enclosures can be a great investment, too. These large carts are often bulky and made of high-grade materials that will last for a very long time. If you need a versatile cart, you can choose a multi-purpose cart that can serve as a monitor and projector stand.

When making the purchase, be sure to inspect the item thoroughly. Check the wheels to make sure that they glide smoothly. Make sure that the frame is durable and the vinyl or paint covering is made well. Finally, ensure that the height is appropriate. A short one will not do and it is preferable to choose the tallest model available.

videoconferencing magic

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:40:00 +0000

Video conferencing facilitates learning by allowing remote or distant learners to meet regardless of their location. Students can take classes at multiple universities. In essence classes that are not available at one location may be available at another through video conferencing. Video conferencing can also benefit non traditional students who are not able to attend classes during normal hours.

There are various types of videoconferencing; which is suitable for your application will depend upon the IT structure available and what it is that you actually want to achieve. Video conferencing has in the past been relatively expensive, but prices are coming down and it is possible for anyone with a fast enough internet connection to operate a video conference.

There are excellent quality video conferencing systems out there. Many of them are well worth the dollars that they cost. And, because technology continues to grow, you'll find that prices for video conferencing will become more competitive. It is the way of the future. Is your company in the future? Using video conferencing can help to insure that it is there.

Most video conferencing terminals also require what is called a codec or Compressor/Decompressor interface. This piece of equipment helps compress information being passed from audio to video to make transmission of materials feasible over the Net. Without this piece of equipment most files would be too large to send from one computer to another. The process of compression data using a codec machine is often referred to as decoding and encoding information.

Finally, a computer and reliable internet connection are also necessary to facilitate video conferencing. A high speed connection is recommended to make the video conferencing experience not only endurable but also enjoyable. The actual computer you have is not as important as the size of your display. Remember that when using video conferencing equipment, the larger your display the better your picture and the more easily a time you will have 'conferencing' with other people on the Web.

Advantages and Uses

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:42:00 +0000

Uses of Video conferencing

Video conferencing can be used in a host of different environments, which is one of the reasons the technology is so popular. General uses for video conferencing include business meetings, educational training or instruction and collaboration among health officials or other representatives. Thus far video conferencing has been used in the following fields:

- Telemedicine
- Telecommunicatio
- Education
- Surveillance
- Security
- Emergency Response

Advantages and Benefits of Video conferencing

Perhaps the biggest advantage or benefit video conferencing has to offer is the ability to meet with people in remote locations without incurring travel expenses or other expenses associated with face to face communication. Business meetings, educational meetings, healthcare conferences and more can all be easily conducted thanks to video conferencing technology. Individuals living in remote areas can also use video conferencing to keep in touch if you will, with the world at large.

More people are easily accessed and contacted using video conferencing. Because of this technology information and knowledge are often disseminated at more rapid rates, and collaboration between people occurs more willingly and freely. Students can take advantage of video conferencing to take classes at distant locations that would normally be unavailable. They can also take classes that will accommodate busy schedules.

Video conferencing can stimulate better brainstorming, knowledge sharing and information gathering. Businesses can use video conferencing to provide presentations to key members of an organization or to solicit new clients in a professional manner, regardless of their location. The possibilities for communication are virtually endless thanks to video conferencing technologies.

Choosing The Best Camera For Good Results

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:33:00 +0000

When you think of video conferencing you probably picture a webcam perched on a computer or monitor recording your image and sending it out to the world. While webcams are most frequently used by online conference participants, it is also possible to get the work done with a digital video camera. Which webcam or digital video camera you opt for depends on your needs. Here are some points to consider when making your selection.

Webcams

Nowadays, web cams can be found for under $20 and go all the way up to $150. The difference between the high end cameras and the starter web cams are usually due to the quality of image that is put out.

First, take a look at the resolution of the camera. Ideally you should get a webcam that can produce at least a 640x480 resolution.

Then check how many frames per second the camera can handle. For video conferencing the ideal level is 30 frames per second (fps).

Finally, find out what kind of sensor the camera uses. The better web cams use CCD technology instead of CMOS. Also, remember that most webcams connect to computers with a USB cable.

Digital Video Cameras

For an even better result (sharper and faster images), you can use digital video cameras. These are the same devices that are used to record home movies, etc. Digital video cameras start as low as $250 and go up to thousands of dollars. In order to use a digital video camera, you need to make sure that the device supports a USB or a Firewire output and that it can be used as a webcam and connect you with online applications.

Whether you use a webcam or a digital video camera depends on the type of conferencing that you will be doing.

If you’re meeting in a manner in which the quality of the video is not too important, then a lower end webcam will probably suffice. However, if you need quality video, then a higher end webcam, or even a digital video camera will be required.

If you’ll be in a conference room setting, in which you need to get more than one person on camera, a digital video camera with tilt/pan/zoom capabilities will work best.

Firewire digital video cameras provide images that are so nice that you can see the second hand of a watch sweep by. You can also see details of products and items that normal webcams simply cannot provide. This is because firewire handles the processing of video much better than USB does, allowing for smoother images and better quality.

When you are out shopping for webcams, take a look at Logitech products. They are one of the leaders in this field and have a wide variety of models. They offer great products at reasonable prices. For digital video cameras, Canon offers a good selection and devices of excellent quality.

So, consider your needs and your budget and then find a webcam or a digital video camera that is best for you.

Develop your own webinars

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:31:00 +0000

Communicate with people around the world using webinars and skip the travel schedules and expense. Share information and collaborate with more people in less time. And if some people miss your webinar, record it and offer it for playback later. Here are a few quick tips to get you started.

* Answer a question or solve a problem. Don't create a webinar that is a thinly disguised infomercial for your services or products.
* Get a recognized expert to deliver part your webinar. Big name presenters can help draw your attendees in, particularly if the expert is someone from outside your own organization.
* Reach the most people by picking the day and time of your webinar carefully. Tuesday through Thursday will generally draw the best, but don't plan your webinar for the day before or after a major holiday or industry event. If your target audience is across multiple time zones, this can be tricky and leads us to the final point.
* Offer repeat performances. If you don't want to deliver the webinar more than once, record the event and offer it as a webcast later.

InterCall Video Conferencing

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:13:00 +0000

Video conferencing is key to keeping business connected as travel budgets tighten and the time we have to get things done is ever decreasing. Using InterCall Video Conferencing, you can be sure you have access to more personal attention and training through our team of video experts, the latest in product innovation and proven service and reliability to ensure your message is successfully communicated.

With video conferencing you can:

* Keep your sales team connected to the latest product announcements without taking them out of the field.
* Visually showcase product releases to geographically dispersed business associates.
* Conduct focus groups and bring products to market faster without losing the face-to-face experience.
* Simplify your interviewing and new employee orientation process by conducting meetings via video conference.

Ideal Uses

Whether you need to meet one-on-one with a client or potential employee or bring remote teams together, InterCall Video Conferencing lets you meet virtually to improve communication, strengthen relationships, make quick decisions or finalize a strategy.

Use video conferencing for:

* Company-wide announcements
* Virtual training sessions
* Interviews
* Customer and project team meetings

Reservationless Video

InterCall’s Reservationless Video is the industry’s first truly reservationless video conferencing service. No reservations are necessary so you get quality service on our proven platform with a video-on-demand experience. With the touch of a button on your video remote control, you have the ability to control basic conference commands which means you no longer need the assistance of an operator. And with InterCall Video Reservations, you can conveniently manage your account profile and Reservationless Video meeting room settings.

Use Reservationless Video to:

* Organize weekly status meetings
* Arrange face-to-face meetings with employees, vendors and prospects
* Link cross-functional teams from around the world via video
* Gather participants for a last-minute video meeting

Video Streaming

Increase the reach of your video conference through streaming. Allow more participants to take part in your event or record and store events for future use.

Add Mshow web conferencing to your video event and extend your message to up to 10,000 participants. Live audio and video is streamed and synchronized with the leader‘s presentation to participants across the globe.

Web Conferencing Call

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:11:00 +0000

If you are thinking about getting into web and video conferencing, then it is important to know what is required to operate any proposed conferencing system. But when you are deciding which web conferencing application to utilize, none of the applications currently available will do everything well. With the vast amount of service providers that are available today, it’s not always easy to find the one that best fills the bill for your particular web conferencing needs.

An ideal approach could be to begin with a Web conferencing solution available in both externally hosted and internally hosted versions, so that customers who wish to initially use the services of an external conference service provider, and then migrate the conferencing software over time to on-site, can do so without user and IT training. Global availability of the video and audio conferencing web services is something else to consider when selecting a video or audio conferencing web service provider. Using video or audio conferencing web services can improve your productivity and levels of service as well as providing instant cost savings.

Considering the cost savings that Web conferencing can deliver, the market is geared to take off in the next few years. Whether you decide to become an affiliate or a reseller, the key to cashing in on the coming boom in online web conferencing is to study the market, know the product thoroughly and then place it before your web visitors or mailing list audience in a compelling and convincing manner. Multiple Location Participants – If you have key people in distant lands that will need to come into the web conferencing loop, remember to keep this in mind when shopping for a web conferencing package.

Similarly, if you need to gather demographic information about your meeting participants, obtain valuable input, or quiz and test your participants, then the new online survey capabilities of current web conferencing systems will be an important feature to look for when choosing your conference format. Some web conferencing tools include the ability to share one’s desktop, allowing participants to “present” information, be it a PowerPoint Presentation, an Excel Spreadsheet or a Word Document with other attendees of their web conference.

So what is it exactly “Web Conference Call”? Web conferencing is when two or more users who are connected to the Internet to share information. Many purchasing decisions require the input of more than one person, and web conferencing allows you to get all the decision makers together in one meeting. With Web Phone Conferencing technology you also have the option to either download or save your meeting and conversation.

Generally, once all the partakers have done their part in setting up their computers for web conferencing, what's left is for each partaker to type in a few keystrokes, click the mouse button and begin conferencing. This is by far the most commonly used type of web conferencing and is the ideal solution for organizations who have multi-location sites yet require collaboration between their employees on projects and documents. When beginning the search for a web conferencing solution, start with setting your objectives and determining the features you require.

So, the next time Sunday night comes around and you are faced with another week of travel, email trails, difficulty in scheduling training and long lead times in closing sales and negotiating contracts, do yourself a favor and look into web conferencing for your business. Video and web conferencing enabled us to develop a powerful new consulting/training business model in which we blend live classroom training with a continuous program of interactive videoconference training events, accessible by participants from virtually any location.

Multi Person Video Chat of Qnext

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:10:00 +0000

Qnext Video Conferencing is the next best thing to being there, a medium where individuals or groups can meet face to face in real time to interact.

Just plug in a webcam and a headset, and you are ready to go! Since Qnext video and audio conferencing is completely integrated into your Qnext friends/ buddy list, initiating a video conference is straightforward and easy. All you do is select a user from your 'friends' list and start a live video conference. It just works.

Qnext brings video and voice conferencing directly to your Desktop with stunning, true to life picture and crystal clear conversation. Qnext allows you to meet/ see and hear other users around the world instantly by hosting a video conference on your computer.

But we don't stop at two people (what kind of conference is that?); Qnext is a multi user conference and friends can Video Conference with up to four people at once!

Qnext is also a versatile Instant Messaging application that seamlessly integrates Voice & Video conferencing capabilities.

Advantages of Qnext's Voice & Video technology

Automated detection of video & sound peripherals
Voice & Video for as long as you like without long-distance charges
Experience 'crystal clear' sound over high-speed Internet connections
Dynamic audio optimization results in the best possible sound quality at all times
No special configuration is necessary to connect Qnext users

SightSpeed Video Conferencing Becomes Valuable Tool for Executive Coach

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:02:00 +0000

Video conferencing has gained in popularity throughout various markets as organizations have discovered the cost benefits and time saving advantages of conducting meetings and training sessions through the Internet with video access instead of traveling to a remote destination.

SightSpeed (News - Alert) is one of those innovative companies that have launched a variety of video conferencing options to meet the diverse needs of the marketplace. The company rose to the occasion to meet the needs of one specific individual as he pursued his activities as an executive coach and licensed clinical counselor.

Running his sole-proprietor firm, Focal Point Consulting, LLC, in Princeton, N.J., Robert Patraw considered himself to be a tech maven and was advised to give SightSpeed a try. As a result of the effect of the personal video-communication service, Patraw is now redesigning his business around the use of SightSpeed.

“Because of the nature of my executive clients, I have long been familiar with large-scale video-conferencing systems that required dedicated rooms and dedicated staffs to maintain them,” Patraw explained.

“I thought wouldn’t it be great if something came along for the individual user that was full-motion, full-color video. I’ve been waiting for a number of years for a high-quality service like SightSpeed, so based on my former client’s recommendation I began using it. I very quickly got on board with the paid version and SightSpeed has worked out fantastic for me.”

Patraw has since commissioned a company to build a website for his business. As a result of SightSpeed’s performance and capabilities, Patraw is able to completely redesigning his approach to his clients. He noted that he typically uses SightSpeed at least 2-3 times a week to conduct his executive coaching consultations.

The ability to interact live via video with clients, and to use the DVD-recording capability helps to leave a lasting video record of the feedback session. Patraw considers this to be invaluable to his clients.

“If one of my clients says ‘I really need to talk to you today,’ SightSpeed’s flexibility and quality is really of tremendous value to a coach like me,” Patraw says.

“Early in the coaching process, an in-person face-to-face meeting is definitely something my clients want and I want,” Patraw says. “After that, SightSpeed is a close second choice; a voice phone call is a distant third.”

Like many mobile professionals, Patraw can easily lose several days driving. Those are hours that are not generating revenue, and therefore cutting into Patraw’s profit potential. By using the SightSpeed solution, he can instead turn those hours into productivity, while also lowering costs for his clients.

Patraw has also recognized the benefits that SightSpeed can offer outside of business. He views it as an invaluable tool for anyone seeking to improve the quality of relationships. “There are a lot of quality-of-life applications I’d like to see come about as a result of people using SightSpeed,” he says. “I enjoy technology and I enjoy what these guys are doing.

Increasing Workplace Productivity

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:01:00 +0000

Conferencing is a new phenomenon commonly used by businesses. This has been has been made possible by the various enhanced technologies that have become common in the past few years. Internet video conferencing has also become quite popular as of late with the invention of this incredible tool that enables us all to communicate with each other. Video conferring works on the principle that in order to have a proper meeting, with all parties involved, you do not necessarily need to be in the same room in the same city. Since many companies are spread out throughout the entire world with different employees located in different countries, it is quite difficult for companies to get everyone together at the same time in order to conduct a meeting. If you think that your business could benefit from this kind of service, you should familiarize yourself with video conferencing basics in order to make sure that you get the most possible out of your video conferencing needs. The definition of video conferencing is basically that people in different areas of the world are able to see and hear each other, without being in the same room. It is an incredibly helpful service, especially for larger companies that have employees' world wide.

Video and Audio Web Conferencing Can Benefit The Small Business Landscape

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:30:00 +0000

How to Be In Multiple Places At One Time:

Imagine your small innovative design firm just completed a prototype of a new concept car for one of the largest car companies in the US. Your company is located in San Francisco, CA and the car company is located in Detroit, MI and with other decision makers located in Mt Vernon IN, and Lexington, KY and you need to present your prototype without sending an overnight package or attempt to have everyone fly to the corporate office. So, you need a solution that will allow you to bring everyone together on the same page to present your prototype design which was created utilizing your company CAD software application, so that you may view, present and make modifications in real-time.

Meet-N-See-N-Hear:

Implement an integrated audio, web and desktop video in an easy-to-use solution by allowing participants to see, hear and interact as if everyone is in the same – and on the same page with web conferencing.

Meet - Use your computer, laptop or desktop, and a web browser

See - View your participants by utilizing a web-cam to see your participants body language and facial expression, live face-2-face in real-time

Hear - Speak, listen and communicate through audio in real-time

Present - Present your training program, power point or your marketing program in real-time

Share - Share your application or document in real-time Demo your product or services in real-time

Edit and Modify - Edit your documents, applications on the fly in real-time

The Benefits of Web Conferencing:

Web conferencing overcomes geographical boundaries by bringing clients, customers, colleagues, vendors, friends and families together to communicate, collaborate and engage each other in real-time. Your small business or any organization can and will reduce your travel expenses, improve communication with remote teams and partners, improve sales and sales lead generation, demo your products and services, improved productivity, provide training and increase your business bottom line.

Strategies for Your Small Business Technology Success:

Provide your team the following tools so that they can be mobile and connected. It doesn’t matter if your organization is a small business or large corporation.

- Provide your team business class laptops with wireless capability. *Optional web-cam

- Handheld PDAs. *Optional wireless capability

- Cell Phone

- VPN access for secured email and files

Conclusion:

In closing, on-line web conferencing offers small businesses, organizations, and companies a way to reduce expenses and enhance the way they conduct business over time and space. The factors above make a great check-list for moving into the web conferencing space and increasing your firm’s bottom line.

Consumer Version Technology Such As VOIP

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:28:00 +0000

Desktop video conferencing is the consumer version of the "picturephone" services used by large corporations. If the analysts are correct, desktop videoconferencing is set to take off. Technology such as VOIP can be used in conjunction with desktop videoconferencing to enable face-to-face business meetings without leaving the desktop. Desktop PC videoconferencing promises to make this a reality, although it remains to be seen whether there is widespread enthusiasm for video calling. We have everything you need for audio, video and desktop conferencing. We expect that the roll-out of desktop conferencing kit shouldn't take anywhere near as long as that.

The vastly improved technologies, in particular high-quality desktop options, and the productivity and cost benefits make an overwhelmingly powerful case for flexible conferencing. As broadband connections increase, expect to see desktop videoconferencing blossom. As a result, desktop conferencing is not yet widely implemented for business and educational use. You can meet face-to-face with colleagues and clients using desktop video conferencing and real-time audio conferencing. Room-based vs desktop conferencing Video conferencing uses telecommunications of audio and video to bring people at different sites together for a meeting. Desktop video conferencing is a form of communication and as such it utilizes one of the communication field's favorite words: bandwidth. The quality of the service provided by desktop video conferencing is limited by the amount of bandwidth available in the chosen communications channel.

Audio Conferencing is generally used to hold group meetings or live presentations through audio channels. It's a kind of video as well as audio conferencing, in which both the people can view as well as hear each other. Audio ConferencingAudio Conferencing can help improve efficiencies across all departments, whether that means planning budgets, making company-wide announcements, or holding training sessions. VITA's data conferencing can be combined with a wide range of audioconferencing options including toll-free calling and conference recording.

Welcome to the future of audio, video and web conferencing. provides premium audio conferencing, web conferencing and webinar solutions to small and mid-sized businesses and the world's leading enterprises. TotalView combines audio conferencing, videoconferencing, and data collaboration in one compact and affordable center-of-the-table device. The DM64x family is capable of simultaneously handling both audio and video encode/decode for IP based video conferencing applications. Buy video conferencing equipment that can include text and audio conferencing options for your home or office today. The high-quality, life-like video and crisp, clear audio guarantee that meeting participants are experiencing the best videoconferencing quality available. TEN Audio Visual is an independent and impartial e-communications supplier of audio visual, video conferencing and audio conferencing facilities.

The main video conferencing system is located on the second floor in room 2-52. recently announced QuickTime Conferencing, a system extension to the Macintosh operating system, and a new component building upon the original QuickTime architectural framework. Imagine a video conferencing system that is battery-powered, wireless and network-enabled. If all access to your conferencing system will be made via the Web, then compatibility with other environments is not an issue. A conferencing system is Web-based if it uses Web browsers and servers to provide most of its functionality. Operating system platform might also be a key determining factor, especially if circumstances require you to run conferencing from an existing Web server. Select a webconferencing system that support application broadcasting, and you can show the application directly from your computer.

Spend no more than two minutes to introduce your event and cover the features of your webconferencing system. "A hacker could very easily take administrative control over the entire conferencing system. Caucus is a web conferencing system that can be used for both public and private discussions. But there is more to a conferencing system than any particular structure. MOREnet e-Conferencing users should seek system setup technical assistance from their local technical personnel or Event Manager. PicoSpan, a Confer-like conferencing system, which was originally meant to be light-weight version of MicroSpan.

Video Conferencing Boon for Small Businesses

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:20:00 +0000

Keeping costs under control is a challenge that most companies face, but for small businesses operating on tight budgets it is essential if they are to survive. So, any new technology, such as free calls via the internet that can help reduce costs is welcome news to the large army of small businessmen and businesswomen throughout the UK.

For those who regularly deal with international clients and suppliers it can be quite damaging to cash flow to frequently travel abroad in order to attend meetings. Previously, however, the only realistic alternatives to face-to-face meetings were phone conferences which tended to be difficult to arrange, usually expensive, and often led to confusion and misunderstandings between the parties involved.

However, the combination of internet and broadband has made life a lot easier for small and medium-sized businesses, especially those that have clients or customers in foreign countries. Although larger companies can usually afford to regularly send staff abroad, for many small businesses such an expense cannot be justified. So, those that have customers abroad must find alternative methods of conducting their business, and using internet phone and video calls can be the perfect solution.

David Wilson, Managing Director of Pipped Online Ltd, a specialist marketing agency based in the South West of England, has suppliers and customers throughout the UK, Scotland, Germany, and Canada. Constant travels to their premises took him and his small number of staff out of the office for days at a time, leading to a loss of productivity and an increase in company expenditure. But recently, he has been able to cut down international travel and reduce his telephony bills after selecting to use internet phone and video calling for his business.

For firms operating on incredibly tight budgets like PippedOnline the ability to conduct high quality video conferences via PC is literally a Godsend. Not only can Wilson get the vital human interaction necessary to develop meaningful business relationships, but he can also do it without leaving the comfort of his own office. In addition, it also addresses the productivity issue as key employees are not out of the office travelling to meetings.

He said: “We win in three ways with video conferencing. Not only can we spend more time in the office being productive, we keep costs down by not travelling and it also makes PippedOnline more eco-friendly by cutting down our travelling carbon emissions.”

But, Wilson concedes it is the economic benefits that appeal to him most. In line with the figures produced by OFCOM detailing the impact on SME costs, he has seen his broadband bills drop by 20% since 2004, and his telephone costs reduced by 8% over the same period.

Now, he is also seeing the benefit of reducing international travel costs, as he regularly makes free video conference calls to his clients in Canada and Germany, via the internet. Using video conferencing is particularly pertinent for Wilson as he is able to include several staff and suppliers at any one time, although he has never got anywhere near the maximum 24 people that he could include.

He is in no doubt though that all small businesses should take up the internet phone and video calls options, although rather mischievously he hopes his competitors don’t, making their cost base significantly higher than his own!

6 Tips For Planning A Successful Video Conference

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:18:00 +0000

Video conferencing is a useful business tool that brings close people located all over the world. The magic of videoconferencing is that it has erased all borders, cut down travel time, as well as costs. Companies as well as research units can choose to conduct important business meetings as well as training modules by using videoconferencing.

The steps to planning a successful video conference are simple. First you need to decide on a day and time taking into consideration time zones and holidays.

1. Send out a notification to all concerned about the videoconference and confirm attendance.

2. Decide on a format for the videoconference and ensure smooth functioning by checking whether all participants have the necessary equipment.

3. When choosing a venue think about audio and video quality. The room should be simple and windows must be ideally behind the videoconferencing system or covered with blinds. Choose the right seating arrangement considering aspects like audio echo. Light furniture and an amply lit room with florescent lights are recommended. If the walls are blue its ideal. Insulate the room from external sounds as far as possible.

4. Check whether you have a suitable network connection. It should be a digital network service such as an IP or ISDN service. Consult your local VSGi representative. You will need a Lan connection, suitable power sockets, and cable runners or conduits.

5. Arrange for equipment such as a second monitor of size 27” to 60” plasmas, a VCR or DVD player, document camera, auxiliary camera, lap tops, wired or wireless touch control panels and so on. In case of doubt take professional help.

6. General tips for a videoconference are:

a. Ask participants to be seated at least 10-15 minutes before the conference begins.

b. Send out a short note to all speakers on how to speak/present slides at a video conference.

c. Position the camera such that all participants will be within view.

d. Every one needs to speak normally just as in a face to face meeting. There will be no need to speak louder.

e. Avoid shuffling of feet or papers. Microphones will pick up all sounds even whispers.

f. Use normal meeting etiquettes.

The World Wide Web has changed significantly the way the world functions. Today e-meetings or videoconferences are common place and participants can be in any corner of the world and yet be present in the meeting. Participants can exchange ideas, present slides and data, discuss and debate issues and interact just as they would in face-to-face meetings. Participants will just be seated in their own offices instead of a conference room. Video conferencing has become state of art with excellent sound and picture quality and the process saves business considerable amounts of time as well as money.

The Magic of Video Conferencing

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:16:00 +0000

What is video conferencing?

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:52:00 +0000

Video conferencing is a communication technology that integrates voice and video to connect the remote users with each other via internet as they are in the same room. Each user needs a computer, microphone, web cam and a broadband internet connection for participating in the video conferencing. Users at both the ends see and hear each other in real time allowing natural conversation. Many communication companies have been dabbling in video conferencing technology.

Good bandwidth is needed for high quality of the video conferencing. Video conferencing got more popularity with the release of Microsoft Net meeting. Now currently there are a numbers of companies that are promoting the video conferencing software.

Video conferencing is very appealing to the educational and business sector. Video conferencing made it possible to bring the users closer (virtually face to face) hence saving the cost and time. Many universities have adopted video conferencing as an educational tool. Businessmen around the world use video conferencing to keep in touch with other people.

Video conferencing is in more demanding phase and more video conferencing applications and technologies are in the development and improvement process. Eventually video conferencing will allow the creation of the virtual cities, online places where people can work together without the need of physically present in the same premises. Using a computer, video camera and a broadband internet connection, you can establish a video conferencing connection.

Video conferencing is a very useful communication method because it can save the time and traveling cost of the people. A video conference between two people is known as point-to-point and among the more people is known as multipoint conference. Besides the audio and video transmission between the people, videoconferencing is also used to share the documents, computer displayed information.

More improvement is being made in the videoconferencing applications by which people can work and manipulate on the same documents and computer applications at the same time. IEEE gives standard and guidance for the development of videoconferencing. The H.320 standard tells that how video conferencing operates over ISDN telephone circuits. The H.323 standard tells how videoconferencing operates over the Internet (TCP/IP or IP).

The quality of the videoconferencing depends on the characteristics of the circuit between the conferencing sites. In H.323 world, a high quality conference needs about 768Kbs of bandwidth. In the universities and college campuses a higher bandwidth connection of 10Mbs is required.

Following are the some rules for the bandwidth, required for videoconferencing.

Bandwidth Usage

768Kbs this is used in campuses and gives excellent quality.

384Kbs this bandwidth also gives good connection with IP and ISDN lines.

256Kbs Audio is okay but video is not full motion.

128Kbs both audio and video are not excellent.

If you have to choose between ISDN and IP for your videoconferencing connection you should consider two things quality and cost. With the IP based connections there is no additional cost. On the other hand, even though there is some additional cost with the ISDN connection, but you get a constant speed and excellent connection quality and with the IP based connection, due to the commodity internet you do not have guaranteed bandwidth.

Videoconferencing has different advantages. Here are the some advantages of the videoconferencing technology.

· By using the video conferencing the faculty members can keep in touch with class remotely.

· Guest lectures can be conducted in a class from a different institute locally ore remotely.

· Scientist and researchers can collaborate with each other at different institutes on the regular basis.

· Researchers and teachers can answers the questions from an agency.

· Marriages in some countries are being performed by using the video conferencing technology, if the one partner is at one end and the other is abroad. The people at both ends can see each other.

· Student interviews with an employer in another city or country.

Telecommuting
Telecommuting is now being used to connote a broader activity, which includes the individual interaction and collaboration that takes places between home based entrepreneur, consultants and business partners

Telemedicine
Video conferencing is also being used in the telemedicine.

Distance Learning
Educators in elementary, secondary and higher education and corporate training are using videoconferencing. Video lectures are becoming the commonplace. There are other applications that virtually getting the remote guests in the class room and conducting the important lectures. These are great opportunities to add value to the educational process using video conferencing as a tool.

Career Services
Many major companies cutting back their recruiting budgets and conducting the remote interviews by video conferencing, which is making them possible to screen the right candidate.

Computer Video Conferencing

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:37:00 +0000

One of the best and the latest technologies in the area of video conferencing is PC video conferencing. This is the most cost effective method of video conferencing as all one needs is a web cam and a microphone along with an internet connection. Unlike other systems where an entire unit has to be set up such as video output devices and cameras the PC video conferencing, also known as desktop video conferencing, brings video conferencing right into your homes. IT experts have been working round the clock to develop the best PC video conferencing software all over the globe. Everyone seems to claim that they have the most advanced PC video conferencing software ever developed. However, you can be the best judge of their claims.

PC video conferencing software was Lunched a few years ago and is better known as P2P video-conferencing technology that integrates text chat, screen and document sharing and full session recording while remaining extremely easy and simple to use even for the people who are first timers to PC video conferencing. This Windows based software can be adapted to other operating systems such as Linux and Macs. Though PC video conferencing software is developed for few large and very prestigious corporations it is available for the large consumer market as well.

It is falsely believed by the man in the street that if PC video conferencing software doesn't strike home fast and get a footing in the domestic market or gets new some funding from the government you won't be able to buy PC video conferencing software for your own private use. But here is where they are all wrong. PC video conferencing software is available free for download on many sites on the Internet. PC video conferencing software is becoming so common that even the students in school are using it every day from out of cyber cafés and even their own personal PC’s at home.

PC video conferencing software is a browser-based video conferencing application that requires a simple installation via an Internet Explorer active-X plug-in or a FireFox extension. If you don't have the PC video conferencing software installed on your PC you can do so by going to the more popular sites such as Yahoo and Google or Skype and download their free versions of the PC video conferencing software. The downloading and installation is fully automated and you just have to sit back and watch the computer do it’s work. Once you have installed the software and are connected to the Internet you can take part in any PC video conferencing program on the Internet, of course you have to have access to the conference with a username or password.

Once launched the PC video conferencing software is very compact and simple to use. The few and simple controls PC video conferencing requires you to know are all easily accessible from the screen of the video window and they allow the user to freeze the video, mute the microphone or to access a simple menu containing access to the other key features of PC video conferencing.

3D Web

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:32:00 +0000

The internet is evolving very fast. About 14 years ago the World Wide Web started and now it is the biggest information network world wide. In 2003 new technologies came like web videos (YouTube), video/voice conferencing (Skype/Messenger) and the Web 2.0 applications like Google Earth changed the content of the internet.

Myspace and facebook the new web 2.0 applications have become some of the most popular internet sites with > 40 million users.

I predict that in less than one year there will be another big change of tsunami proportions. Many applications will be using the 3D VRW environments instead of the 2D web. Instead of a 2D internet browser like Firefox and Navigator people will using new browser programs to surf the 3D web.

In 2010 it is estimated that over 60 million users will be browsing, shopping, and creating new Virtual Real Worlds in 3D environment web space. Already now over one million people use the 3D internet in one form or another and itâ€™s growing every day.

Companies have set up in the virtual world, selling shoes, cars and clothing to the residents. 20th Century Fox previews their new movies 3D online. Reuters and the BBC have opened an office in the 3D internet to report live news. There are live interviews in the virtual studios of Reuters.

By the end of 2008 Tele3dworld will start their 3D Virtual Real World globally. By the end of 2009 there will be over >20 million users.

MellaniuM will make the next step of the 3D internet and extend it to an amazing Virtual Real World platform.

How Video Phone Conferencing Can Make You Millions From MLM

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:31:00 +0000

Video phone conferencing or video web conferencing can make an awesome difference in your monthly MLM (Multi-level marketing) check.

Video phone conferencing on the web allows you to communicate with others in a way that is as good as personal contact through both video and audio. What this means is that you can easily share your MLM products with prospects situated in any remote or otherwise location on earth as long as they have an Internet connected computer.

This means that you will be able to grow your down line at blinding speed, which will naturally put a lot more money in your pocket.

Using video phone conferencing, you will also be able to nurture your MLM down line. Those in the business know that usually, this can be a very time-consuming and thankless task. However with video web conferencing it not only becomes easy but the results are dramatically multiplied. The secret in network marketing is being able to get your down line to duplicate what you are doing to succeed. Not only is it much easier for your down line to duplicate your system from watching and listening to you through video phone conferencing online, but it will be a piece of cake for them to adopt your system of using video web conferencing.

Video phone conferencing is a really amazing communication tool that seems to have been invented specifically to help put more money into the pockets of MLM practitioners. That is why it would be a pity for any serious MLM entrepreneur to miss this amazing boat to unprecedented success. (Read the second part of this article).

Visit my video phone conferencing site to discover more ways of using this amazing technology to dramatically increase your monthly MLM check. Or read another ezinearticles piece on how any website or business can be made super profitable with video web conferencing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joan_Upesi

Business Video Conferencing

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 06:41:00 +0000

Videoconference trends have been changing as fast as technologies related to it do. The economic landscape and general changes in the way business is conducted is forcing businesses to embrace a more "mobile" lifestyle, of which videoconferencing is a big part.

Video Conference Usage

The number of business using videoconferencing technologies increased starting 2001, as reported by leading teleconferencing service providers Deutsche Telekom, Worldcom, and BT. Their studies show that conglomerates and multinationals are replacing in-person meetings either audio, web or video conferencing. The trend is good news to providers, big and small. They have since seen phenomenal growth year after year.

The Move to Videoconferencing

Even businesses that only used videoconferencing as temporary solutions before are now moving to more regular subscriptions. More and more employees and executives express their preference for conferencing technology to cut down on travel costs and time. If an executive had to travel every month from Denver to New York for a meeting, for example, about 134 man-hours are wasted. Let that same executive do videoconferencing instead and the company saves about not only time, but also about $9,600 - the cost of travel and accommodations.

Businesses are quickly realizing that because of the cost- effectiveness of videoconferencing, travel is not anymore the first nor the only choice. The technology is now associated to the "work smart" standard.

Positive Results

The outcomes of videoconferencing are optimistic and profound. Studies conducted on organizations that embrace videoconferencing prove that the benefits of the technology are threefold. Individuals remain productive, are able to establish and maintain relationships, and are generally happier and have more time to relax because of the conveniences afforded by the technology. Efficiency is at an all-time high because professionals are not anymore limited by time nor geographical location.

Videoconferencing is changing the way business is conducted, and providers are more than happy to adapt to the trend. Many of them are now introducing next-generation videoconferencing on an individual or bundled basis at very reasonable prices.

Free Web Conference Room

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:56:00 +0000

Free web conference room enables businesses to communicate with clients and customers. Free web conference room are available with multimedia firms that specialize in Internet marketing and enable businesses to gain access to customers and clients around the world. In order to decide upon a convenient web conference room it is necessary that one should have technical feasibilities in terms of the web camera, visual display unit(VDU) and the audience that the web conference room can accommodate.

Web conferencing

Web conferencing enables people to communicate through the Internet about business objectives. It cuts through the barrier of time and space, and proves to be an innovative technology by bringing businesses together in the era of globalisation.

Web conferencing enables people to communicate over the Internet. At a particular broadband speed of at least 256kbps, a business can stroll through high speed streaming videos. The technology need in a free web conference room is a web camera, connection to the Internet and a visual display unit. Since the visual of the individuals that one is communicating to going to be displayed on a screen, a large screening is needed to enable individuals to view the contents on the screen.

Some of the advantages of web conferencing can be stated as follows

- Enhanced business processes: In a globalized world it is necessary to be in touch with associates and clients so as to facilitate business processes. This web conferencing saves businesses considerable amount and money.

- Market accessibility: Instead of sending business associates around the world, one business can update clients and customers through web conferencing.

Free web conference room enable businesses to cut the cost of management and communications. These web conference rooms are available by an agreement among business associates in a particular industry to share the resources. For example organizations specializing in IT can reach an agreement to share web conference rooms that will be available for free.

useful tips of video conferencing

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:54:00 +0000

The steps to planning a successful video conference are simple. First you need to decide on a day and time taking into consideration time zones and holidays.

2. Decide on a format for the videoconference and ensure smooth functioning by checking whether all participants have the necessary equipment.

3. When choosing a venue think about audio and video quality. The room should be simple and windows must be ideally behind the videoconferencing system or covered with blinds. Choose the right seating arrangement considering aspects like audio echo. Light furniture and an amply lit room with florescent lights are recommended. If the walls are blue its ideal. Insulate the room from external sounds as far as possible.

4. Check whether you have a suitable network connection. It should be a digital network service such as an IP or ISDN service. Consult your local VSGi representative. You will need a Lan connection, suitable power sockets, and cable runners or conduits.

5. Arrange for equipment such as a second monitor of size 27” to 60” plasmas, a VCR or DVD player, document camera, auxiliary camera, lap tops, wired or wireless touch control panels and so on. In case of doubt take professional help.

6. General tips for a videoconference are:

b. Send out a short note to all speakers on how to speak/present slides at a video conference.

c. Position the camera such that all participants will be within view.

d. Every one needs to speak normally just as in a face to face meeting. There will be no need to speak louder.

e. Avoid shuffling of feet or papers. Microphones will pick up all sounds even whispers.

f. Use normal meeting etiquettes.

The World Wide Web has changed significantly the way the world functions. Today e-meetings or videoconferences are common place and participants can be in any corner of the world and yet be present in the meeting. Participants can exchange ideas, present slides and data, discuss and debate issues and interact just as they would in face-to-face meetings. Participants will just be seated in their own offices instead of a conference room. Video conferencing has become state of art with excellent sound and picture quality and the process saves business considerable amounts of time as well as money

Videoconferencing

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:00:00 +0000

A videoconference (also known as a videoteleconference) is a set of interactive telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously. It has also been called visual collaboration and is a type of groupware. It differs from videophone in that it is designed to serve a conference rather than individuals.

History

Videoconferencing uses telecommunications of audio and video to bring people at different sites together for a meeting. This can be as simple as a conversation between two people in private offices (point-to-point) or involve several sites (multi-point) with more than one person in large rooms at different sites. Besides the audio and visual transmission of people, videoconferencing can be used to share documents, computer-displayed information, and whiteboards.

Simple analog videoconferences could be established as early as the invention of the television. Such videoconferencing systems consisted of two closed-circuit television systems connected via cable. During the first manned space flights, NASA used two radiofrequency (UHF or VHF) links, one in each direction. TV channels routinely use this kind of videoconferencing when reporting from distant locations, for instance. Then mobile links to satellites using special trucks became rather common.

Videoconferencing first demonstrated in 1968

This technique was very expensive, though, and could not be used for more mundane applications, such as telemedicine, distance education, business meetings, and so on, particularly in long-distance applications. Attempts at using normal telephony networks to transmit slow-scan video, such as the first systems developed by AT&T, failed mostly due to the poor picture quality and the lack of efficient video compression techniques. The greater 1 MHz bandwidth and 6 Mbit/s bit rate of Picturephone in the 1970s also did not cause the service to prosper.

It was only in the 1980s that digital telephony transmission networks became possible, such as ISDN, assuring a minimum bit rate (usually 128 kilobits/s) for compressed video and audio transmission. The first dedicated systems, such as those manufactured by pioneering VTC firms, like PictureTel, started to appear in the market as ISDN networks were expanding throughout the world. Video teleconference systems throughout the 1990s rapidly evolved from highly expensive proprietary equipment, software and network requirements to standards based technology that is readily available to the general public at a reasonable cost. Finally, in the 1990s, IP (Internet Protocol) based videoconferencing became possible, and more efficient video compression technologies were developed, permitting desktop, or personal computer (PC)-based videoconferencing. In 1992 CU-SeeMe was developed at Cornell by Tim Dorcey et al., IVS was designed at INRIA, VTC arrived to the masses and free services, web plugins and software, such as NetMeeting, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, SightSpeed, Skype and others brought cheap, albeit low-quality, VTC

Technology

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:57:00 +0000

Dual plasma display videoconferencing system. The screen on the left is primarily used to show people during the conference or the user interface when setting up the call. The one on the right shows data in this case but can display a 2nd 'far site' in a multipoint call.

The core technology used in a videoteleconference (VTC) system is digital compression of audio and video streams in real time. The hardware or software that performs compression is called a codec (coder/decoder). Compression rates of up to 1:500 can be achieved. The resulting digital stream of 1's and 0's is subdivided into labelled packets, which are then transmitted through a digital network of some kind (usually ISDN or IP). The use of audio modems in the transmission line allow for the use of POTS, or the Plain Old Telephone System, in some low-speed applications, such as videotelephony, because they convert the digital pulses to/from analog waves in the audio spectrum range.

The other components required for a VTC system include:

Video input : video camera or webcam
Video output: computer monitor , television or projector
Audio input: microphones
Audio output: usually loudspeakers associated with the display device or telephone
Data transfer: analog or digital telephone network, LAN or Internet

There are basically two kinds of VTC systems:

Dedicated systems have all required components packaged into a single piece of equipment, usually a console with a high quality remote controlled video camera. These cameras can be controlled at a distance to pan left and right, tilt up and down, and zoom. They became known as PTZ cameras. The console contains all electrical interfaces, the control computer, and the software or hardware-based codec. Omnidirectional microphones are connected to the console, as well as a TV monitor with loudspeakers and/or a video projector. There are several types of dedicated VTC devices:
1. Large group VTC are non-portable, large, more expensive devices used for large rooms and auditoriums.
2. Small group VTC are non-portable or portable, smaller, less expensive devices used for small meeting rooms.
3. Individual VTC are usually portable devices, meant for single users, have fixed cameras, microphones and loudspeakers integrated into the console.
Desktop systems are add-ons (hardware boards, usually) to normal PC's, transforming them into VTC devices. A range of different cameras and microphones can be used with the board, which contains the necessary codec and transmission interfaces. Most of the desktops systems work with the H.323 standard. Videoconferences carried out via dispersed PCs are also known as e-meetings.

Echo cancellation

A fundamental feature of professional VTC systems is acoustic echo cancellation (AEC). AEC is an algorithm which is able to detect when sounds or utterences reenter the audio input of the VTC codec, which came from the audio output of the same system, after some time delay. If unchecked, this can lead to several problems including 1) the remote party hearing their own voice coming back at them (usually significantly delayed) 2) strong reverberation, rendering the voice channel useless as it becomes hard to understand and 3) howling created by feedback. Echo cancellation is a processor-intensive task that usually works over a narrow range of sound delays.

Multipoint videoconferencing

Simultaneous videoconferencing among three or more remote points is possible by means of a Multipoint Control Unit (MCU). This is a bridge that interconnects calls from several sources (in a similar way to the audio conference call). All parties call the MCU unit, or the MCU unit can also call the parties which are going to participate, in sequence. There are MCU bridges for IP and ISDN-based videoconferencing. There are MCUs which are pure software, and others which are a combination of hardware and software. An MCU is characterised according to the number of simultaneous calls it can handle, its ability to conduct transposing of data rates and protocols, and features such as Continuous Presence, in which multiple parties can be seen onscreen at once.

MCUs can be stand-alone hardware devices, or they can be embedded into dedicated VTC units.

Some systems are capable of multipoint conferencing with no MCU, stand-alone, embedded or otherwise. These use a standards-based H.323 technique known as "decentralized multipoint", where each station in a multipoint call exchanges video and audio directly with the other stations with no central "manager" or other bottleneck. The advantages of this technique are that the video and audio will generally be of higher quality because they don't have to be relayed through a central point. Also, users can make ad-hoc multipoint calls without any concern for the availability or control of an MCU. This added convenience and quality comes at the expense of some increased network bandwidth, because every station must transmit to every other station directly.

Issues

Some observers argue that two outstanding issues are preventing videoconferencing from becoming a standard form of communication, despite the ubiquity of videoconferencing-capable systems. These issues are:

Eye Contact: It is known that eye contact plays a large role in conversational turn-taking, perceived attention and intent, and other aspects of group communication. While traditional telephone conversations give no eye contact cues, videoconferencing systems are arguably worse in that they provide an incorrect impression that the remote interlocutor is avoiding eye contact. This issue is being addressed through research that generates a synthetic image with eye contact using stereo reconstruction.
Appearance Consciousness: A second problem with videoconferencing is that one is literally on camera, with the video stream possibly even being recorded. The burden of presenting an acceptable on-screen appearance is not present in audio-only communication. Early studies by Alphonse Chapanis found that the addition of video actually impaired communication, possibly because of the consciousness of being on camera.

The issue of eye-contact may be solved with advancing technology, and presumably the issue of appearance consciousness will fade as people become accustomed to videoconferencing.

Standards

noreply@blogger.com (mani) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:51:00 +0000

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) (formerly: Consultative Committee on International Telegraphy and Telephony (CCITT)) has three umbrellas of standards for VTC.

ITU H.320 is known as the standard for public switched telephone networks (PSTN) or VTC over integrated services digital networks (ISDN) basic rate interface (BRI) or primary rate interface (PRI). H.320 is also used on dedicated networks such as T1 and satellite-based networks;
ITU H.323 is known as a standard for transporting multimedia applications over LANs. This same standard also applies to older implementations of voice over IP VoIP. In recent years, the IETF's Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) has gained considerable momentum in practice for these two services.);
ITU H.324 is the standard for transmission over POTS, or audio telephony networks.

In recent years, IP based videoconferencing has emerged as a common communications interface and standard provided by VTC manufacturers in their traditional ISDN-based systems. Business, government and military organizations still predominantly use H.320 and ISDN VTC. Though, due to the price point and proliferation of the Internet, and broadband in particular, there has been a strong spurt of growth and use of H.323, IP VTC. H.323 has the advantage that it is accessible to anyone with a high speed Internet connection, such as DSL.

In addition, an attractive factor for IP VTC is that it is easier to set-up for use with a live VTC call along with web conferencing for use in data collaboration. These combined technologies enable users to have a much richer multimedia environment for live meetings, collaboration and presentations.

Impact on the general public

High speed Internet connectivity has become more widely available at a reasonable cost and the cost of video capture and display technology has decreased. Consequently personal video teleconference systems based on a webcam, personal computer system, software compression and broadband Internet connectivity have become affordable for the general public. Also, the hardware used for this technology has continued to improve in quality, and prices have dropped dramatically. The availability of freeware (often as part of chat programs) has made software based videoconferencing accessible to many.

For many years, futurists have envisioned a future where telephone conversations will take place as actual face-to-face encounters with video as well as audio. Sometimes it's just not possible or practical to have a face-to-face meeting with two or more people. Sometimes a telephone conversation or conference call is adequate. Other times, an email exchange is adequate.

Videoconferencing adds another possible alternative. Consider videoconferencing when: • a live conversation is needed; • visual information is an important component of the conversation; • the parties of the conversation can't physically come to the same location; or • the expense or time of travel is a consideration.

Deaf and hard of hearing individuals have a particular interest in the development of affordable high-quality videoconferencing as a means of communicating with each other in sign language. Unlike Video Relay Service, which is intended to support communication between a caller using sign language and another party using spoken language, videoconferencing can be used between two signers.

Impact on education

Videoconferencing provides students with the opportunity to learn by participating in a 2-way communication platform. Furthermore, teachers and lecturers from all over the world can be brought to classes in remote or otherwise isolated places. Students from diverse communities and backgrounds can come together to learn about one another. Students are able to explore, communicate, analyze and share information and ideas with one another. Through videoconferencing students can visit another part of the world to speak with others, visit a zoo, a museum and so on, to learn. These "virtual field trips" (see history of virtual learning environments) can bring opportunities to children, especially those in geographically isolated or the economically disadvantaged. Small schools can use this technology to pool resources and teach courses (such as foreign languages) which otherwise couldn't be offered.

Here are a few examples of how videoconferencing can benefit people around campus:

faculty member keeps in touch with class while gone for a week at a conference
guest lecturer brought into a class from another institution
researcher collaborates with colleagues at other institutions on a regular basis without loss of time due to travel
faculty member participates in a thesis defense at another institution
administrators on tight schedules collaborate on a budget preparation from different parts of campus
faculty committee auditions a scholarship candidate
researcher answers questions about a grant proposal from an agency or review committee
student interviews with an employer in another city
Teleseminar

Impact on medicine and health

Videoconferencing is a very useful technology for telemedicine and telenursing applications, such as diagnosis, consulting, transmission of medical images, etc., in real time. Using VTC, patients may contact nurses and physicians in emergency or routine situations, physicians and other paramedical professionals can discuss cases across large distances. Rural areas can use this technology for diagnostic purposes, thus saving lives and making more efficient use of health care money.

Special peripherals such as microscopes fitted with digital cameras, videoendoscopes, medical ultrasound imaging devices, otoscopes, etc., can be used in conjunction with VTC equipment to transmit data about a patient.

Impact on business

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.