Video Conferencing
- Hardware required
- Tv Screens/Monitors
- Speakers
- Microphone
- Webcam
- Video Conferencing System
- Characteristics
- Video conferencing is an alternative for face to face meetings between two or more people
- Allows both sound and video
- Participants of the video conference can be many miles apart or even in a different country
- Audio and video are real-time allowing users to interact with each other
- Uses
- Remote employee meetings
- Staff interviews
- Multi-person discussion
- Remote training
- Video conferencing has many uses that include:
- Advantages
- Convenience
- Cost saving
- Better for the environment
- Attendees do not have to travel to the event
- Anyone within the company can attend regardless of location
- Events can be held at short notice as travel is not required
- Allows other members outside of the organisation to attend easily without having to visit on premises
- Some video conferencing software allows record and playback to allow members to review the meeting
- Disadvantages
- The initial purchase of equipment can be costly
- This can cause issues amongst employees when working across different time zones
- Those using the system may need to be trained to use it effectively which can:
- Take time
- Be costly
- Video conferencing systems require a strong and stable network connection
- There can often be a delay in response times
- The time lag is caused by the image not being synchronised with the sound
- The time lag is caused by the image not being synchronised with the sound
- Poor picture/sound quality caused by the speed of connection/quality of the hardware
Worked example
A motor car company has some designers based in London and some in Beijing. The cost of travel between the two cities is very high, so when they wish to meet to discuss new products they use video-conferencing.
The designers all have PCs with a keyboard and a mouse in order to take part in video-conferencing.
a. Name three other devices used to input or output data which would be needed to take part in the video-conference.
[3]
Three of:
Webcam / video camera [1]
Speakers / headset / headphones [1]
Large monitor / television / data projector [1]
Microphone [1]
b. Describe three potential problems of the designers using video-conferencing systems rather than meeting in either London or Beijing.
[3]
Three from:
Time lag / lip sync caused by the image not being synchronised with the sound [1]
Poor picture quality caused by the speed of connection / quality of the hardware [1]
More likely to have poorer sound quality caused by the quality of the hardware / connection [1]
Confidential material about the new cars may have to be signed / viewed in person [1]
The new car may have to be viewed in person [1]
Hardware breakdown stops the conference taking place [1]
Communication breakdown stops the conference taking place [1]
Different time zones will mean the conference has to take place at inconvenient times [1]
