Multipoint Videoconferencing - What Is It?
Topics: Multipoint Videoconferencing, ISDN, Continuous presence, CP, transmission
The simplest form of videoconferencing is a point-to-point call, one person contacting another person via the Internet. This basic level of videoconferencing is similar to making a phone call with a picture phone. Multipoint videoconferencing occurs when three or more locations connect simultaneously, much like a three-way phone conversation only the logistics are much more complex.
To begin understanding the complexity of multipoint conferencing one must enter the domain of technology and begin with ISDN. ISDN means simply Standards for Integrated Services Digital Network, a high quality, switched digital communications service that gives your standard phone line the ability to transmit voice and data simultaneously.
You can use the same line for regular telephone service, faxing, computer communication, or even live videoconferences. Each of these applications requires suitably equipped customer-provided equipment. ISDN transmissions are significantly faster than using a modem. Think of ISDN as a high-tech phone line.
The next essential ingredient in a multipoint conference is the bridge. This is a multipoint control unit known as MCU, the component that manages the videoconferences when of three or more participants are involved.
An MCU can support some or all of the following: audio-only calls, video calls at various video bandwidths, video calls, data sharing, continuous presence, cascaded calls, a conference call web page and component stacking. Component stacking can remain in the technicians domain but continuous presence deserves attention by anyone who would understand multipoint videoconferencing.
Continuous presence, also know as the CP Mode is when all sites in the videoconference can be seen at the same time on the far end monitors. Those involved in the videoconference will see themselves (or any data that they present) on their right hand monitor while at the same time they can see themselves and everyone else on the screen.
Continuous presence is often used when presentation is required. As you can see, multipoint videoconferencing with continuous presence activated can be very effective for business or hospital transmission. Another way of looking at CP is seeing each site in a split screen format on the display monitor at all times, much like the television show Hollywood Squares.
Interesting as Continuous Presence is, it is not the default mode for multipoint videoconferencing. The default mode is Voice-Activated Switching, or VAS. In VAS a multitude of sites are connected and the person all views speaking. This should bring to mind the image of a newscaster or spokesperson on standard television.
An important point in the VAS mode is that although the transmission focus will be on the one who is speaking, anyone and everyone connected to the videoconference can change the view. Remember the term is voice-activated. If someone coughs or sneezes, the camera recognizes them. In VAS multipoint videoconferencing it is very important to mute your microphone until it is your turn to speak.
There are yet other modes of transmission for a multipoint videoconference. These are Chair Control, Lecture Mode, and Broadcast with Autoscan. In Chair Control and Lecture Mode the presenter is seen full-screen by all sites at all times, even if a speaker at another site speaks. This mode is used primarily with distance learning, when the situation requires that students always see the presenter rather than speakers at other remote sites.
Broadcast with Autoscan means only the director or presenter is able to view all the remote sites while the remote sites can see the video that is being broadcast. This becomes even closer to a television broadcast via the Internet. This mode is preferred for videoconference presentations and seminars, when audience response is not anticipated or required and unlike a television broadcast, a multipoint videoconference in broadcast with Autoscan mode allows the director or presenter to view the audience and watch for response.
In todays computer world most multipoint videoconferencing systems have built-in bridges which allow you to connect to multiple sites just as you would in a point-to-point call Even more advantageous is the rise in technology to include built-in gateways. A gateway is a network point acting as an entrance to another network. This allows communication across any set of interconnected networks.
This means the World-Wide-Web is now available for anyone interested in a multipoint videoconference.
For several years now, Jason has been reviewing hundreds of online products and services. Many consider his reviews to be very insightful and reliable. Visit his website www.1videoconference.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Internet Marketing: Here Are Some Secrets (1)
Internet Marketing isn't rocket science, but there is a science to it. It will take time and some tweaking, but you don't have to pay huge amounts of money to do it Chris Clark is a seasoned internet marketer.
Keeping International Business Office Connected Through Videoconferencing (2)
They make it possible for a firm in the United States to directly communicate in real time with firms in other parts of the world. Any number of aspects of international business can be discussed in these international videoconference sessions and members of a firm interested in feedback and ideas can visit many new perspectives from their colleagues across the globe.
Drive Traffic To Your Website Through Targeted Marketing! (3)
You can enroll in pay per click search engines. Obviously, google.com is one of these, but most of the most popular keywords are already taken. If you can think of some original phrases that people use to search for your products or services, you can post your ad next to the text that comes up when people search for that phrase.
Get Traffic Jams With Referral Links On Your Website (4)
This happens most often when the website has no eye-catching images or information. This is a common problem among website business owners and can be very frustrating. So, the million-dollar question is this - How do you turn your visitors into customers?
Offer Free Downloadable E-books And See Increased Website Traffic (5)
So, go ahead and start planning your e-books today. The sooner you get them posted on your site, the sooner you will see that increase in website traffic. For several years now, Jason has been reviewing hundreds of online products and services.
A Beginner Buyers Guide To Videoconferencing Equipment (6)
There are three kinds of dedicated (or room) systems and they include large group, small group and individual videoconferencing. Large group videoconferencings are big and cannot be moved from their original spot.
Tips On Planning Your First Videoconference (7)
Select at least two dates that work for both of you. The first date will be for a technical test to make sure your guest has the right equipment and if the speaker is going to be at your site, on your location, he or she needs to give you a commitment to a dress rehearsal, a simple testing of voice, lighting, and locale.
Pulling Off International Meetings - The Videoconference Solution (8)
Control consoles come bundled to handle two, three, or four languages and make it easy to listen to the program directly from the computer or another interpreter while simultaneously interpreting into a microphone.
Court Reporting By Way Of Videoconferencing (9)
Now if a consultation is needed, a five-minute videoconference can usually solve the problem. The videoconferencing solutions of today, though, are not the same as the videoconferencing solutions of tomorrow.
Videoconferencing For Apple Computers (10)
However, Collaba provides dozens of easy-to-use communication and collaboration tools. It is designed to provide digital workspaces to virtual educational, corporate and governmental communities, making it a companion program for any videoconferencing program.
Medical Applications For Videoconferencing (11)
It is also important to note, though, that using videoconferencing systems for medical purposes is one of the best ways to make use of this brilliant technology. For several years now, Jason has been reviewing hundreds of online products and services.
Get Googled With Adwords To Boost Website Visits (12)
You can write your own ad or have Google write it for you. Many people prefer to write their own ad. The ads consist of top keywords that are important to a website.
Increasing Website Activity Through Email Signatures (13)
You will probably even forget that you are advertising because you do not need to do anything to do so after the initial setup phase. Email signatures are a great tool that cost nothing and can deliver results.
Its Classified - How To Utilize Free Classified Ad Sites To Boost Business (14)
Whether you want to purchase a vehicle, bed, or pet, the classified section of your local newspaper can be one of the best resources available. With the emergence of the web however, many sites are being developed to host free classifieds.
Being Smart With Pay Per Click Advertising (15)
Depending on what you're selling, this value is very key. What if you're making $80 a sale? You're still in profit mode, but that will take you a lot of sales to quit your day job.
Five Ways To Choose The Right Keywords And Have Your Website Hopping (16)
Choosing the right service for you will simply be a matter of reading the reviews. The final way to choose the right keywords for your website is to review sites that have both similar missions and products with regard to yours.
How To Use Sponsor Ads To Increase Website Traffic (17)
To achieve these two primary goals, consider using sponsor ads to increase the traffic to your website. Using sponsor advertising can be a great way to increase traffic to your website and encourage more product and services purchases.
Get Affiliated - How Affiliate Programs Work For You (18)
If you are interested in putting an affiliate link on your website, most programs will give you instructions on how to establish a link to their website. Normally, the web page allows you to produce a HTML code to post on your website.
All Keyed Up How To Use Words That Pay Off (19)
You will know when you succeed that all your hard work paid off. For several years now, Jason has been reviewing hundreds of online products and services. Many consider his reviews to be very insightful and reliable.
Top Five Businesses That Benefit From Videoconferencing (20)
Some of these include but are not limited to, sales meetings, company and/or project team meetings, business announcements, training classes, product demonstrations, new product launches, analyst and/or media briefings, focus group research, meetings with directors, investors, staff and shareholders and the conducting of business related seminars.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
ISP Issues - Do You Need To Change To Do Videoconferencing? (1)
ISP is the acronym for Internet Service Provider. Such a provider permits individuals and businesses access to Internet. Many ISPs are connected to telephone companies, but more and more cable companies and even satellite service providers are now getting in on the action.
Avoiding Wholesaling Scams (2)
Each of these has anti-fraud protection, and the money can easily be tracked. If it so happens that you fall prey to a wholesaling scam, a secure form of payment can work with you to track the funds and possibly stop it before it is delivered.
Bulk Domain Name Secrets (3)
Domain name holders or webmasters can come up with a straightforward domain name that can sell nothing and yet still make an amazing profit from the way the website is created and the way yahoo domain names are used.
Determining Your PC Needs For Videoconferencing (4)
Thus, when getting ready to purchase your own, or your companies, first video conferencing software package, consider your needs: 1. You probably want the seamless integration of video and audio.
Security Applications Of Videoconferencing (5)
PC-based videoconferencing systems that run on PC operating systems use standard hardware. Since these systems include internal hard drives and plug-and-play connectivity, additional steps must be taken to secure these systems.
How To Get A Cheap Yahoo Domain Name (6)
John brings you to the wide array of domain name tactics and cheap companies that offer these domain names and hosting. Visit my blog and take your time to select the best domain company.
Three Online Advertising Tools That Do Not Work (7)
By exercising patience and learning your way around the Internet, you can bring in many very happy customers and a lot of money for you. For several years now, Jason has been reviewing hundreds of online products and services.
Three Reasons Why A Good Looking Website Will Increase Traffic (8)
Offering games to play on your site that may pertain to your business, you can keep the traffic flowing. You can even offer links to other exciting and informative websites, in order to act as an in-between for the fun.
Three Reasons Why Online Directories Could Work For You (9)
You can always get your information added to several online directories for free and cover more ground than you thought possible. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to advertise online, online directories are a great option.
Three Reasons Why More Website Content Increases Traffic (10)
This means you have their complete, undivided attention for an even longer period of time. Moreover, if they are returning to your site on some sort of regular basis, chances are good that they will recommend the site to other users like friends and relatives which will mean even more traffic for your site.
4 Ideas For Selling Information Products (11)
These are all proven ways to do it and when you make your products digital in nature you can do it all online. Almin Cehajic is experienced webmaster and resell rights products marketer.
Why Start A Digital Info Business? - Here's Why (12)
The nice thing about digital info products is how easy they are to collect for and to deliver. Because the product is internet based you can offer instant access.
Online PR And Search Engine Optimisation (13)
You can then happily poit people at an article of interest if you make it clear that its related to your company. As well as getting your information into the right places you also need to monitor the impact of your efforts and see what else is being said about your business or story.
Need More Prospects, Who Doesn't? Find These Better Solutions. (14)
You can reach hundreds or even thousands of potential clients without personally calling each one. And...once you talk to them, (after they call you back), you can continue to keep in touch with them through the software's contact management system.
Cut Through The Complexity And Implement An Alert System (15)
Once you have one in place, you will immediately begin saving time, ensuring that bad performance is corrected promptly and good performance is amplified, in order to improve the profitability of your online advertising campaigns.
Maleic Anhydride Consumption Will Grow By 2.6% In 2007 (16)
Other maleic anhydride consumers include the producers of plasticizers, coatings, agricultural chemicals, lubricants, fumaric and malic acids. The biggest maleic anhydride suppliers (net exporters) to the global market are the USA, Japan, Belgium, Italy.
How To Use Search Engines To Increase Your Marketing (17)
In addition, they are another way for people to find you. Find sites that complement yours and ask if they will consider reciprocal linking. Just be cautious that the website will not drag your rankings down with them.
The Advantages Of "Rss Websites" (18)
A wide selection of 'channels' for content distribution, such as PDA's, cellular phones, voice mails, and email ticklers. A reliable way to have your web content delivered to Internet users and potential clients - RSS ensures that your site is viewed by the people who are interested in them, without having them blocked and 'cleaned' by ISPs or Spam filters.
Affiliate Marketing Is A Great Way Of Earning A Six Figure Income Online (19)
You are more likely to put the effort in and less likely to give up at the first hurdle. You can also be more authoritative when it comes to your promotional material.
RSS Feeds On Your Site: Be Noticed And Recommended To Similar Bloggers (20)
Allen Thomason is an accomplished and established internet marketer. To find out how to expand your online knowledge and learn more about Internet Marketing, Advertising, and Proven Marketing Tactics visit www.TheProfitCombination.com.