what is videoconferencing? video conferencing enables people at different locations to: see and hear...

What is videoconferencing?

Video conferencing enables people at different locations to: • see and hear each other• see documents and slides• share access to computer

applications (sometimes).

Benefits of ICT: Collaborating - Videoconferencing

• to give access to resources for special-needs users• to share scarce resources, especially for scattered or

rural populations• to deliver information on rapidly changing topics• to provide a virtual experience when the real

experience is not possible• for collaboration, information searching, problem

solving, and decision making.

Why Might you Use Videoconferencing?


• Establishes a visual connection among participants

Conversation and body language can enhance communication.

• Connection with external resources

Remote experts can provide feedback and expertise.

• Document sharing encourages collaboration and feedback

Advantages of Videoconferencing


• The initial cost of the equipment and leasing the lines in order to transmit conferences can be expensive.

• The availability of many different types of

videoconferencing equipment which can lead to communication breakdown due to technical incompatibility.

Shortcomings of Videoconferencing


The three main types of videoconferencing systems are:

• Room System• Rollabout System• Desktop System

Determine Your NeedsWhich Videoconferencing System?


A room system offers the highest quality available, but at the highest cost.

Room System


A room system offers the highest quality available, but at the highest cost • Cameras and microphones are mounted with a

technician controlling the video and the audio.

• Expensive – can be anything from around £20,000 to £100,000.

Room System


The rollabout is a mid/high range system for individuals and small groups.

Rollabout System


• The rollabout has the equipment on a cart with wheels that can be rolled from room to room.

• The quality of the rollabout system is less than the quality achievable with room systems.

• It does give good quality videoconferencing and flexibility.

• Fairly expensive – can be anything from around £5,000 to £20,000.

Rollabout System


Desktop Systems


• Can produce relatively poor quality video and audio, which is substandard for some applications where quality and reliability are important.

• Low cost and easy availability make this the videoconference option with the greatest potential for universal deployment, especially in rural locations.

Desktop System


Many centres have public rooms that have videoconferencing equipment and is willing to rent the room and equipment to you for a specified time to help you arrange your videoconference. Public rooms are available around the country.

Videoconferencing Suites


Price will be a major factor when you begin to look for cameras

Buy the camera with the greatest pixel count you can afford. This will give you the best possible picture quality

Mini cameras (web cams) designed to fit on top or beside your monitor. This way, as you’re working on the computer, you’ll be looking into the camera as well. Image quality is not as good as the larger cameras but this is improving with every new product release.

Desktop Videoconferencing Hardware- Camera


As with any computer use, nothing runs without software and videoconferencing is no different.

• The software controls the videoconferencing session. It takes the video image, sound and any other computer operation and sends the signal over the carrier to the other conference site

• Some software will offer the bare essentials, while others have extra features

• Which one you choose will depend greatly on your particular needs and budget.

Desktop Videoconferencing -Software


CU-SeeMe

This is the most popular, full-featured software for seeing, hearing, and sharing.

Features

You can view up to 12 video images simultaneously.• The Phone Book has graphical Contact Cards to save, add, and edit

contact information for people and conferences • chat for multi-user collaboration during conferences • caller ID for screening incoming calls• controls to restrict incoming and outgoing calls.

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Examples of Videoconferencing Software


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Examples of Videoconferencing Software


Netmeeting

With NetMeeting for Windows 95 and Windows NT you can:

• communicate with both audio and video • collaborate on virtually any Windows-based

application • exchange graphics on an electronic

whiteboard• transfer files • use the text-based chat program.

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Videoconferencing Software


Videoconferencing can give great benefits to users. In this unit, we will look at case studies of two types of videoconferencing systems in use by community practitioners.

• The first looks at the use of a rollabout system used to deliver learning by the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow.

• The second considers ways that community practitioners could use desktop videoconferencing.

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Summary


what is videoconferencing? video conferencing enables people at different locations to: see and hear...

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