What is Video Conference?

Video conferencing is a technology that simulates a face-to-face meeting between two or more participants and locations. This transmits text, audio, video over the internet via a platform. Video conferences happen over a high-definition video and audio connection/signal. The best thing about video conferencing is that attendees don’t need to travel for the meeting.

Video Conferencing can be used for:

• Job Interviews
• One-on-one training
• Product demos
• Team meetings
• Webinars

Years ago, only big corporations could afford to use this form of communication. Using this system was expensive and those who couldn’t afford it had to do with audio conferencing.

This form of data transfer goes by different names, such as videotelephony, videoconferencing, video-based meeting, telepresence etc.

Working of Video Conferencing

Compression

Participants input their voices via a microphone and video through a video camera. This will be an analog audiovisual (AV) and in the form of continuous amplitudes and waves. A conferencing software converts analog data to digital. Once this is done codecs assemble the information into UDP packets. “Packetizing” is the technical word that refers to the process.

Transfer

System then transmits the input through network. Once this is done, then the codecs decompress it. This will enable the person on the other end to see it on a screen and hear it via speakers. The bandwidth and compression ratio figure out the quality of communication during video conferences. The higher the ratio means the better the clarity.

Types of Video Conferencing

Multi-Point Videoconferencing

Multi-point also goes by the name Group Video conferencing. Multi-point videoconferencing involves the syncing of signals from more than two locations. This is extremely difficult, only sophisticated resources make multipoint videoconferencing possible.

Integrated Videoconferencing

When the codec and hardware are in a central location, Integrated video conferencing is possible. It’s suitable for group meetings, where members can discuss things together in a room.

External Video-based Meetings

External Video-based meeting is suitable for getting in touch with vendors and clients.

Point-to-point Video Calls

Point to point meeting only covers two locations. It doesn’t require a bridge; hence it is more affordable. All you need is network and web conferencing equipment on both sites. This is one of the oldest methods in the industry, but it is still a popular choice today.

Videoconferencing as a Service (VaaS)

Carrier usually has control in this type of video conferencing. Once the subscription is done then the service provider does the rest. This service ensures that there’s a good signal or whether the network is up and running.

Equipements Needed for Video conferencing

• Microphone
• Camera
• Videoconferencing software
• Strong internet connection
• Speakers
• Display (computer or TV screen)
• Conference phone

Benefits of Video Conferencing

More Engaging

Presence through video conference is attention-grabbing and immersive, it's like all the participants are with the other person/people in the same room.

Cost-Effective

Reducing cost is important in video conferencing in business. With videophones, attendees don’t have to leave their office or home for a face-to-face conversation.

Streamlines Collaboration

Collaboration happens when more than two people join to work on a project. This enables people to collaborate with tools like screen sharing, chat function, file transfer and live streaming. One can also pre-record sessions that a team can watch later. This is helpful for teams in different time zones who can’t attend a meeting simultaneously.

Improves Communication

Effective communication boosts morale and engagement. The result is that a team that trusts each other, so they’re likely to work in harmony toward organizational goals. Besides that, effective communication increases customer satisfaction. This makes works smooth within the organization, there will be zero chance of clients getting conflicting information.

Simplifies Usability

Responding to many emails and messages to different people can be difficult, if the business is global with thousands of employees. A video conference can simplify that. Just needed to schedule a video conference with your team and hold a single discussion instead of separate ones.

Video Conference Solutions

Many types of video conferencing services are in the market to serve all types of businesses, organizations, classrooms and social meetings.

These are some of the most popular:

Zoom

Zoom is one of the popular video conference services. This service helps with video, audio, text chat, screen sharing, breakouts, whiteboard collaboration and more. Zoom is popular for business calls and webinars and it's also used for teaching.

Google Meet

This solution is free with all Google accounts, Google Workspace (for business) or Google Classroom (for education). This solution is like Zoom but uses more bandwidth and is slightly more user-friendly.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams works similarly to Google Meet. This integrates easily with MS 365 tools like Word and other Office suite applications.

Some companies, organizations or institutions use options like Webex, Anymeeting, Highfive, Skype, Slack, Zoho or Dialpad.

Today, Video Conferencing technology has become more practical with globalization for both small and large organizations. It certainly cuts constant travelling, which is otherwise costly and time-consuming. Utilizing technology can also help improve productivity, relationships, collaboration and usability. Video conferencing makes people more engaging than other communication types such as audio conferencing, email or text messaging.