Advantages and Uses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.