Video Conferencing

Kosuma Pimpin

Video conferencing brings people closer together, even though they may be miles apart, by sending real time images of both parties to each another. So not only would they be able to hear the other party, they can literally see each other. However, the technology has yet to be embraced even though it is so convenient to the user. This may be due to the high cost of setting up such network between users.

With the evolution of technology and the improvements made to telecommunication over the years, the cost of communicating is gradually becoming less expensive since there is such a high level of competition.. From a business perspective, telecommunication plays a vital part in ensuring efficiency and subsequently success [1].

Video conferencing works with high-speed connection of at least 10MB per seconds, whereby the digitally formatted images from both parties are taken and sent to a central server of the telecommunication company. The images will be coded and carried through the ISDN telephone circuit where it would be decoded into images and voice once it reaches the other party. Users have the option of using ISDN connection or IP connection, with the latter providing a less consistent quality [1].

Video conferencing provides the user with the convenience of conducting point to point or multi point conferencing with people from different sites. It not only saves time, it saves considerable costs on travelling from site to site, such as transport fees or even air fares and accommodations, just for meeting. It provides versatility in the teaching method and the way students learn. The negative side is that confidential meeting cannot be conducted over video conferencing since it could be easily tapped and hacked. Moreover, video conferencing may indicate a lack of sincerity in making a trip personally to the meeting, especially when dealing with traditional businessman. Moreover the advancement of the technology may not be readily accepted by the older generation since they may be used to meeting behind close doors to discuss business.

However, video conferencing has evidently brought telecommunication to another era where communication can be done in the comfort of one’s office. It is believed that it would become part of our everyday life since the introduction of the 3G mobile indicated that video conferencing is slowly blending into our way of communicating. One future application that may evolve from video conferencing may be the video conferencing walkie-talkie, where they use satellite to receive radio signal directly without having to go through the central server. Not only can a walkie-talkie connect you to people within your site, it helps monitor the activities they are doing. Therefore it may become a helpful monitoring kit for managers to supervise their workers.

Reference:

1. The University of Iowa (2004). What is Video Conferencing?