The corporate world moves fast, and many businesses thrive on instant results on a daily basis. One of the ways that businesses take advantage of a myriad amount of tools is through video conferencing technology. Over the decades, video conferencing has grown from a luxury tool to a necessity for companies. As a result of these changes, there are dedicated professionals in video conferencing. In order to become a video conferencing professional, many take digital media courses at video production colleges.
In order to understand the needs of video conferencing, it’s helpful to understand the field and the different elements a company will need.
The Basics of Video Conferencing
Video conferencing confuses people with web conferencing, which is not surprising. Both have their roots in conference technology that dates back to the 1950’s and both use the same equipment and software. With this being said, it makes it a bit difficult to know the differences.
First of all, web conferencing allows people to gather online to work on a project with different tasks involved. These tasks includes doing training sessions, walk-throughs of websites or new software. Participants join in through their computers and as technology evolved, via apps on their smartphones.
One main factor with web conferences is the connection. As the name implies, this means all participants join through video conferences. This method recreates in-person meetings through a reliable internet connection. This is important, as some companies that have hundreds of flexible, remote workers and may want to innovate some more.
The Video Conferencing Equipment
Depending on the business, video conferencing requires certain pieces of equipment. It is a general rule that the framework requires a central infrastructure. This is usually hosted on the cloud and routes calls. From that point, companies use 4 pieces of equipment to achieve these goals.
Conference Phones
Conference phones have evolved from buttons to now being produced with touchscreens. These touchscreen navigates the listings of who’s joining in the call. The phone also employs echo cancellation that improves call quality. Video conference phones also connects with specialized speakers for better audio.
Meeting Room Displays
The meeting room display is the vital component for video conferencing solutions. If companies have a room in their office space for meetings, it’s generally a good idea for them to have a display that is in relative size to the room.
Webcams and Video Conferencing Systems
A webcam delivers the video that will be on the displays. These come in different forms from simple plug-ins to high-definition quality video and audio.
Video conferencing systems are high-definition webcams that combines with a codec that sends and receives encrypted video for displays.
The Video Conferencing Software
Once a company selects and sets up their video conferencing equipment, the next step is to install software. Most software systems are designed to work internationally. Some programs even include features such as collaboration with external applications.
Mobile Considerations
These programs can also be installed for use on mobile devices. VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol are for a group of technologies that provides voice communication. Multimedia sessions which can also be in use for video conferencing, as well.
Session Initiating Protocols (SIPs)
SIPs, or session initiating protocols, help to utilize, begin and maintain sessions on IP networks. SIPs also allows users to terminate sessions. These are powered by different elements and identifies and describes clients.
Video Conferencing Codecs
One other key thing in regards to video conferencing software that is necessary are video codecs. Codecs can be a hardware device, but also play a role in software-based processes. A codec takes data, encodes it into another form, and then decodes it as it leaves one network for another.
Physical Integration For Video Conferencing Solutions
As mentioned before, when companies embark on the process to have video conferencing solutions set up, they have to take into account where they’re going to have the meetings. Some companies have increasingly taken to building office spaces or renting those that are in the “open plan” style for greater flexibility.
Rooms for Video Conferencing
The size of a company and their floor plan changes from client to client. A company that chooses to maximize free space may have a plan that focuses on smaller rooms. Every company varies in needs and size, so it is important that a video conferencing company suits their needs.
Camera Specifications and Room Dimensions
The layout of a room impacts its needs for video conferencing. As a result, the technology that’s required in these settings will require a video conferencing system that is personal to their needs. Other elements that will be in need of modification include the wiring and conference telephones.
Modifications for Video Conferencing Technology
The modifications a company needs requires a technician with an eye to detail. This also requires a precise plan so that when construction and wiring begins, everything will be geared towards an efficient video conferencing space.
Conclusion
As video conferencing moves forward, companies that provide these solutions innovate their own processes. But striving for innovation doesn’t work without having a firm understanding of what it takes to help produce successful video conferencing. Hopefully, this basic primer helps to clear up the confusion as to what video conference technology actually is.
Want to Learn More?
Video conferencing for businesses requires a fine blend of technical prowess and a dedication to guaranteeing connectivity to encourage greater productivity. If something along these lines holds a great appeal for you & you have a more vested interest in how to utilize this technology, take some time to check out the information about the Digital Video Production Program available at IPR today.