What Is ISDN In Relation To Video Conferencing?

Video conferencing is an increasing popular method of holding large group conference and point to point conference meetings. Whether linking meeting members within the same company location or conducting a video conference between continents, the enhancement of live video has become a useful tool in business. A video conference uses video and audio telecommunication technology to link people in different locations together simultaneously in a live format. Video conferencing is also sometimes know as a "visual collaboration" in telecommunication terminology.

Meetings held with video conferencing are transmitted with audio and visual technology from one point to another in real time. Video conferencing technologies can also be used to transmit live information such as visual displays and video segments as if in a live meeting. A video conference meeting can be held between two groups or used for much larger lecture situations. Unlike the concept of a videophone call between two callers or speaking to someone using a "Skype" Internet application, a video conference is usually held between more than two individuals at one time. A meeting or an event video conference can even be from several locations as in a multi-point broadcast.

The technology behind videoconferencing was available as early as the 1970's. The use of "videotelephony" was first displayed by the Bell System (now At&T) and was known as their "Picturephone." Demonstrations of this new form of telephone communication to the public was widespread at the time. It was imagined that every home would someday have a video screen connected to their household telephone. However, the cost of this pioneering video conferencing method was quite expensive even for institutional use. Most businesses could not afford to own and run videoconferencing equipment for most meetings or conferences however important.

Video conferencing as a tool in the business world did not become a frequent occurrence until the invention of ISDN technologies. An ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a telecommunication method for a combined digital transmission of voice, video, data and other network services over traditional telecommunication phone lines. Prior to the regular use of ISDN, the telephone transmitted voice but not video data. ISDN combined the audio technology of the traditional telephone with video technology. It also provided a way to send video conference signals with lowered costs.

This is accomplished because an ISDN can combine speech and data on the same lines of telecommunication. (Such telecommunication technology was simply not available in prior decades.) Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) are often defined as a BRI or a Basic Rate Interface, a PRI or Primary Rate Interface or the more commonly known B-ISDN or Broadband Interface.

The transmission of the video conference is carried via this ISDN. ISDN cards are like digital modems, but are up to five time faster. They can make use of telephone line telecommunication technology integrated with a fast Broadband technology. This not only makes for a clearer video conference broadcast, but brings down the cost of such technology for business use. By utilizing an ISDN network for video conferencing, more educational institutions, corporations and government agencies can readily afford the use of videoconferencing on a steady basis.

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