The Basics of Video Conferencing

Modern business operations all share the same rapidlyThe success of a video teleconference depends
depleting commodity: Time. When time is leveraged,entirely on the equipment and network capabilities
productivity and output invariably increases within abehind that equipment.
business organization. Technology continues to provideSince real-time video contains a tremendous amount
workers and businesses with new tools to helpof data, it is imperative that the system being used can
leverage time. Video conferencing could prove to behandle a high amount of bandwidth at any given time.
one of the most important time leveraging businessFortunately, video conferencing systems are designed
tools of the 21st century.to "sample" and "compress" a certain portion of data
Once a luxury for only the largest companies, video(such as the unchanging "background' of the room) to
conferencing is beginning to change the landscape ofhelp conserve bandwidth. This compression is
how businesses communicate with both employeesaccomplished through what is commonly known as a
and clients. In its simplest form, video conferencing"codec". A video codec is the device or software that
allows two individuals to be thousands of miles apartenables video compression and or decompression for
yet still effectively communicate as if they were in thedigital video.
same room. Systems in use today can now connectIt is the job of the codec to "sample" data at specific
multiple parties across multiple continents - in real timetime intervals (fractions of a second) and then
with excellent and high quality video and audio.compress this data so that it can be delivered across
The Origins of Video Conferencingthe network. The codec on the receiving end then
Video conferencing capabilities originated in the 1970s.reassembles audio and video for transmission onto a
Similar to every other technology in use today, videotelevision or computer screen. To conserve bandwidth,
conferencing has changed dramatically since first beingthe codec focuses on the most important data - i.e.
developed. Early proponents of video conferencingmoving objects such as people, props, etc. Moving
technology had no standards or protocols to rely on.objects take a considerable amount of processing
This fact made a teleconference via video anpower, so the better the codec, the higher quality your
expensive proposition - one that only huge companiesvideo conference will appear.
and government agencies could afford. In a timeQuestions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Video
where cell phones were still a decade away for mostConferencing Solution
consumers and businesses, video teleconferencesA wide variety of video conferencing systems are
were few and far between.available in the marketplace. Before purchasing
Today, affordable networks and systems are widelyequipment or services from vendors, consider the
available across the globe. Interoperability of videofollowing as a starting point to narrow down the
teleconferencing systems is virtually guaranteed nowrequirements of a system that fits with your business
that standards and protocols have been clearlyneeds:
established.How will you be using video conferencing? A simple
Specific Standards and Protocols for Videovideo conference between employees in the same
Conferencingtown, building or area will require a more basic solution
To make any technology usable for the masses,than video conferencing multiple parties across the
standards and protocols are required to insurevast distances. Determine the maximum video
systems, software and hardware are ubiquitousconference scenario you will be utilizing to narrow
across the board.down bandwidth and equipment requirements.
To help guarantee video teleconferencing compatibilityHow large is the meeting room where you plan to
between manufacturers, the Internationalconduct video conferences? Camera capabilities will
Telecommunications Union developed and defined adepend on the size of the room and number of people
series of video conferencing standards. In place sinceinvolved. Conducting a video conference in a small
the mid-1990s, current standards are defined in termsauditorium with dozens of participants will require a
of H.3xx.quite different solution than 1-2 individuals transmitting
H.3xx are "umbrella" recommendations for videofrom a small office.
conferencing. They include the protocols for codingOn what type of network will your video conference
video/audio, multiplexing, signaling, and control.be hosted? The network you choose to host your
The core H.3xx recommendations are as follows:videoconference will play a key role in overall reliability
H.320 - Narrow-band video conferencing overand performance. Most video conferencing systems
circuit-switched networks (N-ISDN, SW56, dedicatedsold today include an IP interface with ISDN as an
networks) H.321 - Narrow-band video conferencingoption. Determine the capabilities of your network
over ATM and B-ISDN H.323 - Narrow-band videobefore deciding on any one specific video
conferencing over non-guaranteed quality-of-serviceconferencing solution.
packet networks (LAN, Internet, etc.) H.324 - VeryThe Future of Video Conferencing
narrow-band video conferencing over the generalIncreasing productivity while reducing costs will always
(dial-up) telephone network H.310 - Wide-bandbe an important part of any business. The popularity of
(MPEG-2) video conferencing over ATM and B-ISDNvideo conferencing will undoubtedly increase in the
H.323 is a standard for audio, video, and datacoming years. Virtually all industries will eventually utilize
communication over IP-based (Internet Protocol)video conferencing in some form to help bring people
networks.together - at considerably less cost than physical
All major video conferencing manufacturers producetravel for face-to-face meetings. As more
ITU compliant equipment. When choosing videocorporations, health care providers and governments
conference equipment, be sure that you select aexperience the value in video conferencing as a time
system that does not offer only proprietary methodsand money-saving tool, the technology will become
of operation.more necessity than luxury. The age of the video
How Video Conferencing Worksconference has just begun!