What is video conferencing & how does it work?
In today’s world, video conferencing is an integral part of our daily lives. We do video conferencing on phones through the app or on a browser through software and so on. Video conferencing is now available widely as internet connection speeds are improving. Still, one question remains that how does video conferencing work? Here, we explain in detail its use and working.
Video conferencing means real-time communication via video and audio signals by users located at different geographical locations. Currently, many organizations or groups use this service for group meetings daily.
Furthermore, today’s world is increasingly global. So, now people from the same organization are spread across different locations. Hence, they need a collaboration platform where they can discuss their issues in real-time. It is also important to add a human touch in this collaborative effort to yield more results.
Overview
Video conferencing is a modern way of communication via video and audio feed in real-time. So, irrespective of the place you are, you can still communicate with the person located in a different part of the world. All it needs is a fast internet connection and a suitable communication device.
Besides, it is a sub-category of web-calling technology. It is basically a collaboration solution for people located at different geo-locations. They can communicate via desktop or laptop browser, mobile, or dedicated video device.
Furthermore, people here can transmit a video feed to different colleagues from different departments in an organization. So, it creates a robust visual interaction across the organization in a meaningful way.
How does a video conferencing work?
Video conferencing uses digital compression technology at its core. The system digitally compresses video and audio streams in real-time. The software that the system uses for the very same purpose is called a codec.
Furthermore, we can achieve compression levels up to 1:500. This ratio means a tremendous degree of compression. Then, the resulting digital stream becomes available in 0s and 1s. Then the system subdivides 0s and 1s into packets. These packets are then transmitted via the internet.
It is a complex technology but works flawlessly. There are so many things that are working behind the scenes to have the best visual experience possible.
Components
Video conferencing requires different components that work together. The first is the computer, which is an essential requirement. The system also includes video input, video output, audio input, audio output. The last but most important is a data transfer service.
Types of video conferencing
One of them is a dedicated video-conferencing system. This system consists of a single console. This console has inbuilt video conferencing components. Generally, this system is the most useful in large or small group conference meetings. You can also use it for individual group conferencing.
The second type is the desktop system. This is particularly helpful in one-on-one meeting. However, it requires a dedicated video conferencing software installed on desktop along with codecs.
The third type is nowadays the most common. It is a WebRTC platform. On this platform, users don’t need to install software on their computer for a video meeting. Instead, they need a browser. Here, the organizer sends out a link for a scheduled video conference. The participants can attend it by simply following that link thru’ the browser.
Furthermore, in this platform, your browser itself acts as software to facilitate video conferencing. The most important advantage here is, it doesn’t require any software. Paste the link, and your ready to go on any device, provided you need a compliant browser for the same.
Advantages of video conferencing
The most important advantage of video conferencing is the way it establishes communication. You can communicate with a person sitting in a different part of the world visually in real-time. This, in fact, was never seen before the progress in communication.
The collaborative efforts of teams around the world can give better results. The visual element in such meetings adds a human touch to communication. It has a far greater impact than only audio communication.
Besides, you can schedule such meetings in advance. So, people working in different time zone can collaborate regardless of the location. These types of meetings add to more engagement and save time. You can understand things better visually than through only audio.
Furthermore, you can join the video conference from almost any device with a browser and working internet connection. Hence, you can cut down travel and stay costs. As a result, you can increase your profits.
You can take educational courses or an entire classroom on this platform. Thus, students can learn from home, and teachers can teach from home. Doctors can guide patients, and patients can make a video call, explaining their sickness. Even researchers can communicate for collaborative research and get into insightful developments.
In conclusion, video conferencing is a great collaboration tool. It can achieve great results irrespective of user location. Most importantly, it is widely available and works effortlessly on any device.
Image Courtesy: CISCO, ZOOM
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