Videoconferencing
Do you have relatives that live far away from where you are right now? Do you miss him/her? Well, the best you can do is to give him/her a lot of long distance calls, but can you see him/her personally? I'm afraid not.
Here is an awesome technology that's made just for YOU! Videoconferencing!
Videoconferencing can satisfy your need of face-to-face contact by using computer networks, television cameras, communications software, and other equipment used to conduct electronic meetings with people in different geographic locations. This technology in its most basic form is to connect two or more sites with a video and audio signal. Participants at each site can simultaneously hear and see each other via ć±€indow' monitors.
Several types of communications can be enhanced or extended by videoconferencing. For example, distance communications and conferences, foreign cultural exchanges, etc... With videoconferencing, they can be made more effective, less costly, and most important of all, time-consuming.
There are two different kinds of videoconferencing. The first one is connecting two sites together, known as Point-to-Point or site-to-site videoconferencing; then, a connection between three or more sites is described as Multi-point or multi-site conferencing.
Point to Point Conferencing
Connecting two sites together is know as point-to-point or site-to-site videoconferencing. In a simpler note, point-to-point videoconferencing just means that a communication channel is opened between two locations. Most point-to-point conferencing are conducted over an faster connection, such as Cable , ISDN, or ADSL, but it is also possible to have this type of videoconferencing across a LAN or normal Interest connection.
CU-SeeMe is a desktop videoconferencing software that allows point-to-point conferencing. Connection two sites through CU-SeeMe will result in a small window appearing on the computer screen that'll show the other participants' camera view. Other options include having a second window open that'll show your own camera's view.
The frame rate depends on the amount of traffic on the Internet. The further the signal has to travel, the more likely that the signal will experience delays. If you don't mind the rough quality, this software is widely used for meetings and some instructions.
Multi-Point Videoconferencing
Whenever there are more than two different participating locations, then you will have a "Multi-point" videoconferencing. You can usually view the other sites in one of two ways:
- The system can be set to automatically show a full screen picture of whichever site is speaking. This option will only be effective if people all speak in an orderly fashion. If one participating site is louder than the others, this option is rather distracting. UNBC - University of Northern British Columbia has had extensive experience with this type of multi-point videoconferencing.
- Another method is to divide your monitor into four quadrants, each quadrant shows a participant's camera view. The trouble is each camera view will appear smaller than when shown full screen, but this option allows you to watch everyone's reactions at all sites. This method only works with a small number of participants are shown on each camera site. Another method is to divide your monitor into four quadrants, each quadrant shows a participant's camera view. The trouble is each camera view will appear smaller than when shown full screen, but this option allows you to watch everyone's reactions at all sites. This method only works with a small number of participants are shown on each camera site.
Different Categories of Videoconferencing
Well, there are three different categories which are commonly used to describe videoconferencing systems. They are: Full motion - room to room videoconferencing; Compressed - room to room videoconferencing; and the most common one, Compressed - desktop videoconferencing.
Full Motion - Room to Room Videoconferencing (BroadBand)
- travels over private, dedicated telephone fiberoptic, microwave, or other high speed networks
- provides high quality video, similar to television, able to see 30 frames per second displayed
- more costly than compressed videoconferencing
- only available in urban centres with new fiberoptic cabling or access to microwave links
Compressed - Room to Room Videoconferencing (Dial-up Service)
- connect over the public phone system networks in North America and the world
- able to see 15 to 5 frames per second and a slight delay in the audio signal
- most businesses and governments use this type of system
- the more people using compressed videoconferencing, the jerkier the motion
Compressed - Desktop Videoconferencing
- refers to a connection between individuals at computer stations rather than groups of people in distant rooms
- rough quality
- example: CU-SeeMe
Components and Equipment Needed
There are some basic components and equipments needed in every set-up of videoconferencing.
Basic Equipments
- Camera - to capture and send video from you side
- Document Camera - special camera to capture and send text and graphics on paper or overhead transparencies.
- Microphone - to capture and send audio from you side
- Monitor "Window" - to display video received from the other side
- Speakers - to play audio received from the other side
- Control Panel - to operate the network of videoconferencing
Also, there are some additional equipments, such as student cameras, computer interface, videocassette recorder/player, and fax machine.
For more information about Videoconferencing, please visit the following sites!
http://malun1.mala.bc.ca/seeds/ivc/Basics.html
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/vidconf/index.html
