What is Video Conferencing?

Video conferencing is a way of holding meetings with people who are not in the same room. It makes it possible to have a meeting with someone in different parts of the country or even the other side of the world. Holding video conferences can save on travel time and costs and for this reason they are becoming more popular across business.

Video conferences use video and audio technology so different parties can see and hear each other. A conferencing room is set up using a computer, camera (webcam), microphone and broadband internet connection.

A typical video conference will take place between people in two difference meeting rooms, or video conferencing rooms. They will usually comprise of a group of people in each room sitting along the same side of a desk with a large screen in front of them. They will be able to see those in the other meeting room on the screen and hear them through the speakers. A camera is placed in front of each group and films them. This is then relayed to those on the other side of the video conference. Both rooms work in the same way with each group being filmed and recorded and it being instantly shown via the large video screen and heard via the speakers. The internet is used to transmit the images and voices so a fast connection is required. This means a broadband connection is needed as a break in something being recorded and relayed would not mean a smooth running meeting.

There are a number of ways that video conferencing can be set up, and the type that is most cost effective is dependent on how regularly a business will utilise it. Businesses can have their own video conferencing suits set up which is useful if they regularly have video conferences as it ends up being cost effective over a period of time. Another option is to use a professional video conferencing company, with two different options. One is for them to set up the video conferencing equipment when businesses require it, although this can be expensive. The other option is to hire a video conferencing room from a video conferencing companies premises, something that is often a better choice for those who only require them for occasions use. In this case businesses don’t have to pay for the set up costs and can just hire it when they need it.

Video conferencing allows two groups of people to have a meeting wherever in the world they are. It is therefore especially useful for international business. If they have customers abroad who they need to have meetings with or branches across the globe it can be extremely helpful. It can save a lot of money on travel costs and means better productivity due to the travel time being saved. It has many of the advantages of physical face-to-face meetings with people able to see each other’s facial expressions and see when someone is about to talk or has finished talking.

Andrew Marshall ©