High Definition Web Conferencing - A Definition

What exactly is meant by the terms web conferencing, multi-party video and online video conference calls? This applies to online, computer software that enables individuals or groups to communicate together from different, remote locations. Using standard IP Internet lines, with cloud based software that does not require additional hardware or installation onto a users desktop or device.

Users simply log-on and begin talking, lecturing or presenting, the features of modern systems allow for the use of sharing applications such as PowerPoint, Word documentation or Excel Spreadsheets in real time. This therefore not only includes audio visual information but also allows for interactive, informative presentations to take place.

As there is no need for software installation, complicated computer reconfiguring or the purchase of expensive additional hardware it makes for a cost effective and adaptable method of utilising video conferencing. Business-to-business calls are easily set up and allow for the inclusion of many interesting visual components to a call. All that users require is a standard desktop computer, a web-cam and high-speed internet connection and you are ready to make a conference call.

The person running the conference or lecture should ideally use a VoIP headset for the best quality and entrants or delegates are invited to join the call through an email invitation, with a link directly to the conference site, at the click of a mouse.

The use of document sharing is ideal for designers to collaborate, the systems ability to annotate images makes teaching simple and the high quality images produced give hospitals easy access to professional opinions and diagnosticians from afar.

For many years the cost of setting up purpose built video conference room was prohibitive for many companies but the use of normal computers, VoIP technology and off the shelf peripherals such as web-cams and speakers make it universally available. This has led to an overwhelming increasing in businesses that are linking up across the Internet.

It has led to a democratisation of the business world, as SME's are now able to capitalise on the global economy and no just multi national corporations. Companies are able to conduct weekly sales talks, advertising promotions, and design development directly with customers on the other side of the world without any problem. High definition video calls are now possible from the executive boardroom to the kitchen table with nothing more costly than a computer connected to the Internet with a web-cam.

Alex started using video conferencing as a student and later participated in developing HDVC equipment.

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Teaching With High Definition Video Conferencing

In recent years, the cost and relative ease of High Definition Video Conferencing (HDVC) has come down in price immensely and revolutionary developments made by such companies as Vidyo have made long distance, group meetings more affordable. One area that has received a lot of benefit from video conferencing is online teaching. The ability to introduce word documents, PowerPoint presentations, annotate screens and run video clips has been a real boon to the virtual classroom.

Part of running any exciting learning environment is the ability to include interesting visual information and the latest versions of HDVC allow a total multimedia of images to spice up lessons. Courses can be simply planned, as PowerPoint presentations with the inclusion of documents and movie images as the lesson progresses.

The teacher is also able to run classes from single one-to-one courses or large forums catering for many students at once. These HDVC systems also allow the teacher to actively include students in the lessons encouraging vocal interaction or writing on the board and labelling images.

The revolutionary development of the HDVC architecture means that all taking part are treated to high quality, television style presentation and crystal clear sound. This means that lessons are easy to follow and there is no disruption with time lag or image distortion. In an environment where understanding in order to learn is of utmost importance the technology behind the system ensures students only have to worry about the quality of the lecture not the video conference delivering it.

The benefits gained by teachers using HDVC lessons are:

Provides clear and audible lessons due to the innovative system delivering the conference call.A fully interactive lesson, made capable with the HDVC adaptable system that allows for the inclusion of video, audio and written content onto the screen.Easy to set up. The systems run on a normal desktop computer, using off the shelf peripherals such as webcams, microphones and speakers.Affordable. As a cloud based software system it doesn't need downloads, maintenance and system updates as the manufacturers undertake all this off-site.Accessible. Both in terms of cost and system requirements it makes learning within the price range of most students throughout the world. Using a desktop computer or IP enabler device students can learn anywhere.Fun. By bringing exciting source material and stimulating images to lessons you can create a dynamic, high-octane lesson that truly engages with students.

Alex has been using video conferencing equipment for business over the last 10 years but he has recently seen many exciting changes in HDVC software for private uses.

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High Definition Video Conferencing - Ten Uses

People are being brought closer together more and more by the aid of high definition video conferencing. The ability to talk, face to face and exchange ideas, information and files is increasingly opening up business opportunities all over the world. While once video conferencing was the preserve of higher management, high quality, affordable systems are now available to anyone that uses desktop computers and off the shelf peripherals.

Top ten uses that HDVC can be put to:

1. Conference Presentations - Whether joining a conference remotely or giving a presentation to an audience, the versatility of the HDVC system means that you can give a more polished performance by including multimedia clips, PowerPoint projects and annotate onscreen as you talk.

2. Teaching Online - Students all over the world are receiving the benefits of online teaching brought into the classroom or for home-schooled children.

3. Medical Assistance - Patients can receive the assistance from distant specialists, aftercare check ups and operation consultations easily and effectively via high definition video conferencing. Taking patient care to a whole new level.

4. Boardroom Meetings - The traditional image of the virtual gathering of the boardroom members is still very much valid today as it was in the past. Today's systems though are more versatile and offer better quality than the purpose built video conference rooms of the past.

5. Religious Connection - No matter what your religion, HDVC affords religious leaders to talk directly to their members whenever they wish. By creating their own secure network the congregation can connect with the church even when they are on holiday or bed bound.

6. Neighbourhood Television - Local access television is only one of the benefits of high definition conferencing. Like religious content, those interested in highlighting their communities and events can create their very own station. Sending out programs, interviews and information about the local area.

7. Political Surgeries - Politicians can make great use of online conferencing to maintain contact with their constituents and meet their public online. A great way to virtually reach out and press the flesh.

8. Family get together - Whether you often work away or are the member of a separated family that would benefit from talking with the kids online. Virtual parties and online meetings are one-way families, that are apart for whatever reason, can remain in close contact.

9. Business Promotion - Internet presentations to a worldwide audience could increase business sales by undertaking an online sales pitch. A HDVC presentation will have much more impact than sending out a mailshot and lets you meet your customers face to face.

10. Product Development - Nothing can be more frustrating when trying to realise a clients needs. HDVC can make a design or product alteration understood so much more straightforwardly than the to and fro of an email conversation. Clear images, good sound quality and the ability to make notes and highlight changes live make design conflicts easier to resolve.

Alex has been researching and writing about video conferencing for a while now and he has recently focussed on testing out the latest HDVC equipment.

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High Definition Video Conferencing - The Technology Behind It

Affordable Video Conferencing systems in high definition are leading the way in revolutionising business-to-business communications. Now working using a simple desktop computer, that operate with "off the shelf" peripherals, companies worldwide are able to better developing business strategies together.

What is behind this innovative technology that has opened up the market for video conferencing, that has led to making it a business norm, not business luxury.

When HDVC patented their Vidyo, Adaptive Video Layering Architecture they brought to the marketplace a software platform that had a low latency, while offering real time video communication between businesses. The system's real boon is its ability to make instantaneous adjustments to each individual end user guaranteeing everyone the best possible reception during a conference call.

This constant monitoring of video performance as it happens is due to the H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC), which allows the underlying software to monitor all users simultaneously and ensure optimum levels throughout the video conference call. The SCV works equally as well with a wide range of interfaces making it an incredibly versatile process, linking across the Internet with 3G/4G mobile phones, WiFi and WiMAX devices to give excellent connectivity.

Further versatility is offered by the application programming interface (API) that allows both existing applications and peripherals along with future developments to be easily integrated into the existing system. This allows users to create their own personal conference environment that is PIN protected so that their settings are preserved for future use. Customised GUI's give users the option to personalise their layout, embedded videos and additional applications to suit their own specific style.

The Vidyo system allows software developers to create new and innovative programs that are able, through the SDK Integration system and compliment one another. It is believed that such partnerships will further increase the spread and adoption of the Adaptive Video Layering Architecture, generating further interesting applications. SDK Integration tools and documentation makes it easier to develop video embedded apps that reproduce the high definition and incredible sound quality of their original product.

The all round appeal of the system is the embedded video, high performance levels and the low latency that means video conference style software is within the price band of everyone at a quality that makes it practical. The technology is adaptive and innovative whilst keeping within an affordable level. Its overall appeal to uses will be its integrated system and use of standard peripherals without the added expense of new hardware.

When Alex first got into learning about the different types of video conferencing equipment, HDVC software was still unheard of! Much has changed since then and he likes to keep his readers up to date with the latest developments.

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High Definition Video Conferencing (HDVC) - A Brief History

True video conferencing has been with us since the 1970s when AT&T first developed their video telephone technology. However, the possibility of interconnecting studios and locations had been around since the first development of television when two sites could be connected using close circuit cameras linked by a coaxial cable or radio.

Systems were in existence in Berlin in the 1930s to enable the Post Office to link its various sites, and NASA space missions in the 1960s were linked by VHF and UHF communications. It was also common for remote, live television reports to be made using bulky transmission trucks to enable video conferencing.

The early video conferencing systems used existing telephone technology and were slow, producing poor quality images and they were also very expensive. They required special conferencing rooms to be constructed that could be used for video links, these needed bulky cameras and special sound equipment to function properly.

It was only in the 1980s that the introduction of ISDN and digital transmission made true video conferencing a realistic, viable proposition. Even then the equipment was still slow and expensive. With frame rates still running at around 15 frames per second, making pictures jittery and blurred. The last developments in the 1980s ensured that smaller and faster boards were designed that could fit into the CPU of a desktop computer.

Real headway was made in the 1990s when internet protocol and video compressing made video conferencing more widely available. When systems such as Skype came online in 2003 it brought the idea of video conferencing to the attention of the general public, this opened the way for a wider acceptance of this type of communication.

Today's high definition video conferencing systems mean that television quality production and perfect sound is possible at an affordable cost for most people. This increase in speed, quality and the reduction in size and cost have opened up the market completely. It is no longer the privilege of the boardroom but keeps families together, even when they live apart and enables long distance teaching and medical procedures to take place throughout the world.

Nowadays technology such as Vidyo are fully integrated into desktop computers and can run using off the shelf peripherals such as speakers, webcams and microphones bought on the high street. The architecture behind the system also means that even when using your desktop computer you can achieve HD video calls as easily in your own home as you can in a high-tech office.

Alex Hunt has a keen interest in High Definition Video Conferencing (HDVC) in personal and professional settings, please take a look at the HDVC website for more information.

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