Video conferencing Features

Video conferencing

Among the many different types of conferencing available, video conferencing affords the greatest level of interaction and true-to-life quality. In fact, the technology behind the conference is a big factor in its success, and video conferencing naturally leads to a higher level of participation, since it does best at overcoming the objection of being too ?distant?.

Before deploying video conferencing though, a company must realize that the bandwidth requirements are steep on both sides. Transmitting quality video over an Internet connection does require a reliable broadband connection, and ideally a priority mechanism that will allow the video packets to be assigned higher priority than data packets. This is essential since video (and audio too, for that matter) is delay-intolerant; and lost or delayed packets will result in a jittery video that most users will find unacceptable. In addition, your participants will also need a reliable broadband connection to receive the video. A reliable connection will also ensure higher quality, especially in multiparty scenarios where video feeds are multi-directional.

In most cases, video will need to be accompanied by audio, and this will require the video conferencing system to either have an integrated VoIP component, so that the audio component can be sent over the same Internet connection; or a phone bridge so that participants can access audio over their standard telephone while watching the video.

When considering features of video conferencing, consider whether to use an on-premises, or a hosted system, since this will greatly impact the available features. An on-premises system may afford greater control, but it will also require maintenance and administration, and will have a limited number of features. A hosted system may offer a wider range of features that are available on demand.

Video Conferencing Features

The most important feature most users will look for though, is ease of use, and web conferencing providers have accommodated this need with simple interfaces, and in the case of hosted offerings, standard web browser login and download that does not require additional client software installation. For the host, a point-and-click interface has become essential. Since the host is engaged in concentrating on the presentation itself, maneuvering through the technical process should not have to be a major consideration. In most cases, the configuration settings and the interface are standard, usually being presented like any standard productivity application so that the learning curve is minimal.

Video is meant to be exciting and interactive, but too often is presented in the standard ?talking head? format where a fixed camera is pointed at the speaker?s face for the duration of the conference. Although this does lend itself to a greater feeling of participation and inclusion, it is limited. Video conferencing systems may allow the host to go beyond ?talking head? mode to include several other video layouts, including picture-in-picture, or a floating display that features the video feed in another display, such as a spreadsheet, document, or PowerPoint presentation. The video feed may also be incorporated into a whiteboard, desktop sharing session, or other interactive application. ?Talking head? syndrome is also perpetuated when users deploy simple webcams; it can be remedied by deploying high-end video cameras that incorporate more sophisticated features for quality, and facilities for zooming in for close-ups, or panning around the room.

In addition, video conferencing can go beyond a simple two-person conference. When using a hosted service, multi-party video conferencing is not a problem, since the conference itself is hosted in the server cloud, making it possible to allow as many people to participate as you like. This may take the form of a one-to-many, or a many-to-many configuration, where the screen displays video feed windows of multiple participants simultaneously. Although four to six video feeds can be achieved with an ordinary broadband connection, more than that will require greater bandwidth.

A few of the other common productivity features to look for in a video conferencing system include:

1. Desktop sharing. Desktop sharing allows users to share their desktop, and all software installed on the computer. This is especially useful for e-learning or technical support conferences, or for collaborative environments where multiple participants are working on a project and using common software tools. This facilitates co-browsing, which allows all users to browse through web pages simultaneously, a feature that also enhances the feeling of interactivity. This technology makes it possible for all participants to view a common web page or display as they discuss a related issue.
2. Whiteboard. The white board has become a common tool for video as well as audio conferences, and it allows participants to edit an image or document collaboratively. It?s also a great tool for brainstorming, since it allows multiple people to make notes at the same time. The white board usually includes common drawing tools such as a pencil, line, eraser, and basic geometric shapes; it also includes the ability to annotate documents in real time.
3. Instant messaging. In a video conference where there are several participants, it is often necessary and desirable for two members to ?break away? from the group to have a private conversation. This is facilitated by the inclusion of instant messaging as part of the video conferencing system. This feature is combined seamlessly with other services, making the entire system much more interactive. These live annotation tools can be very useful, and are commonly included in video conferencing and other conferencing software systems and hosted packages as standard.
4. Session recording. Your online video conference may have lasting value after the event has closed, especially in the case of a tutorial session. Having access to session recording allows for the video conference to be recorded for posterity, and archived for later retrieval.

Behind-the-scenes features will also play an important role in the selection process, chiefly security features that protect the network against attack. Some legacy videoconferencing systems required the user to open an otherwise closed port in the firewall, thereby creating a vulnerability. A video conferencing system should work with the existing firewall. Additional security may be added if the video conference is sensitive in nature, by including conference passwords or encrypted sessions.