Video Conferencing Over Internet

Video conferencing over Internet (VCOI) connections, especially if the visuals are in high definition format, might be the cost savings answer to companies seeking to cut travel expenses but still maintain a personal touch. While video phones are meant to give voice and visual contact between two persons, video conferencing is intended to give the ability to actually give one group of people access to another group of people from across town or across the globe with the use of video conferencing equipment. The ability to allow emergency trouble shooting experts from various levels and experiences to sit down face to face, so to speak, and brainstorm over possible solutions or design team members to haggle over changes to be made in a product between new York and Paris, or a team of doctors in Dallas to talk to a surgical team in Moscow is really the stuff only dreamt of fifty years ago. Video conferencing over Internet connections make these types of long distance meetings an everyday occurrence for many businesses all around the earth. The possibilities are endless in terms of cost savings, conveniency and quick response action being able to be made.

The key to making all this happen is first a commitment by a company to move from emails and faxes and postal mailings to a willingness to have the facilities and video conferencing equipment capable of having face to face contact with vendors and clients. As will be mentioned later, not all companies have this VCOI capability, but being ready and prepared to host another company that does have the equipment just enhances the image and the commitment of any business willing to make the choice to add VCOI to its arsenal of marketing and communications arsenal. As rising fuel prices are forcing airlines to cut back on local and even regional service, more and more companies will have to either put account executives on the road or bring more capabilities such as VCOI into play. In and of itself, video conferencing equipment is not inexpensive, but neither is a fleet of company cars or paying account executives sixty cents per mile for mileage expenses. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (II Corinthians 5:10)

Video Conferencing over Internet connections comes in two forms. The first is called a dedicated system, which means that all required video conferencing equipment components come in one single piece of equipment akin to a console and camera. The camera is typically remote controlled and can be panned in various directions. In addition, omni-directional microphones, or microphones that can pick up sounds from various sources around the microphone as well as a TV monitor, speakers and perhaps a video projector are all included in this one purchase package. These packages are marketed either for large auditoriums, small group meeting rooms or individual units, the only kind of these dedicated units that is built to be portable.

The second type systems that are sold are known as desktop systems and are marketed as add-ons to already existing pcs. Adding a good quality camera, microphone and software are included in the basic VOIT equipment packages. This enables individual members of a group to talk to members of another group, with all members of the video conferencing over Internet connections sitting at their various desktop locations, be it at home, on the road or in the office. These types of individual meetings are called emeetings. So what would be the advantages and disadvantages to each system format?

The dedicated system can be quite expensive and even in the small meeting room environment is not meant to be portable to another room without some hassle. A system may cost over ten thousand dollars that will provide face to face group meeting capabilities. On the other hand, there is something very special about seeing group interaction, especially when trying to make major decisions. The interplay in group dynamics is not something to be dismissed or under estimated. Enthusiasm, concern, dismay, certain glances to one another, eyebrows raised, shifting in seats, boredom and other signs that may not be evidenced in an individual setting or wouldn't occur in a one on one setting could prove very helpful to understanding certain issues. On the other hand, the desktop setting is actually very cost effective.

When it comes to video conferencing equipment for desktop applications, a very high quality camera that needs no panning, tilting or zooming capabilities can be purchased for under a hundred dollars. In addition, a headset microphone is under sixty dollars in most cases, making a strong case for going with this option. Only being able to see one person's shoulder up image at a time, or very small group images may not convey all the nuanced body language signals some decision makers are looking for. But nonetheless, video conferencing over Internet connections, be it dedicated or desktop in format, makes doing business a much more exciting possibility as the cost of travel seems to have no visible ceiling for the near future. Besides companies that are willing to sell or lease VCOI equipment to a customer, there are a number of businesses willing to help with the process from beginning to end, including providing gateways that are always open for conferencing, no matter the day or time. For those still emailing, get ready for the emeeting and group video conferencing revolution.

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