Video Conferencing

A video conference (also known as a video teleconference) is a set of interactive telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously. It has also been called visual collaboration and is a type of groupware.

Video Conferencing History

Simple analog video conferences could be established as early as the invention of the television. Such video conferencing systems consisted of two closed-circuit television systems connected via cable. During the first manned space flights, NASA used two radiofrequency (UHF or VHF) links, one in each direction. TV channels routinely use this kind of video conferencing when reporting from distant locations, for instance. Then mobile links to satellites using special trucks became rather common.

Video conferencing first demonstrated in 1968.  This technique was very expensive, though, and could not be used for more mundane applications, such as telemedicine, distance education, business meetings, and so on, particularly in long-distance applications. Attempts at using normal telephony networks to transmit slow-scan video, such as the first systems developed by AT&T, failed mostly due to the poor picture quality and the lack of efficient video compression techniques. It was only in the 1980s that digital telephony transmission networks became possible, such as ISDN, assuring a minimum bandwidth (usually 128 kilobits/sec) for compressed video and audio transmission. The first dedicated systems, such as those manufactured by pioneering VTC firms, like PictureTel, started to appear in the market as ISDN networks were expanding throughout the world. Video teleconference systems throughout the 1990's rapidly evolved from highly expensive proprietary equipment, software and network requirements to standards based technology that is readily available to the general public at a reasonable cost. Finally, in the 1990s, IP (Internet Protocol) based Video conferencing became possible, and more efficient video compression technologies were developed, permitting desktop, or personal computer (PC)-based video conferencing. In 1992 CU-SeeMe was developed at Cornell by Tim Dorcey et al. VTC arrived to the masses and free services and software, such as NetMeeting, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, and others brought cheap, albeit low-quality, VTC.

Video Conferencing Technology

Video conferencing is a very useful technology for telemedicine and telenursing applications, such as diagnosis, consulting, transmission of medical images, etc., in real time. Using VTC, patients may contact nurses and physicians in medical emergency or routine situations, physicians and other paramedical professionals can discuss cases across large distances. Rural areas can use this technology for diagnostic purposes, thus saving lives and making more efficient use of health care dollars.

Special peripherals such as microscopes fitted with digital cameras, videoendoscopes, medical ultrasound imaging devices, otoscopes, etc., can be used in conjunction with VTC equipment to transmit data about a patient.

Impact on business

Videoconferencing can enable individuals in faraway places to have meetings on short notice. Time and money that used to be spent in traveling can be used to have short meetings. Technology such as VOIP can be used in conjunction with desktop video conferencing to enable face-to-face business meetings without leaving the desktop.