Video Conferencing FAQ
Company meetings are no longer limited just to people in your office. Video conferencing technology allows you to hold virtual meetings in real time with people across town, across the country or around the world. Since this is a relatively new technology, many people still are trying to understand it and have many questions.
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What Equipment Do I Need?
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To participate in or host a video conference, you need a high-speed Internet connection (such as DSL or cable), a modern operating system, and a webcam. Make sure all your equipment is compatible. For instance, if you have a camera that is only compatible with Windows 7 and you are running Windows XP, you will not be able to use the camera.
How Much Does it Cost?
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The costs of executing a video conference vary widely depending on your needs. If you don't mind low-quality video streaming, and have few participants, you can buy budget webcams (which retail for about $40) and obtain free videoconferencing software such as Skype (which supports up to four video streams at a time). If you want high-quality video feeds and have a large number of participants, you'll need professional-grade webcams (which can run up to $1,000 apiece) and high-volume web conferencing software such as Adobe Connect Pro, which goes for $45 a month and can support more than 1,000 participants.
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How Do I Connect?
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Although the specific connection process will vary slightly depending on what program you are using to execute the video conference, the basics are the same. One person (known as a "host") will have to create the conference initially, and then invite other users, who will also have to be online and active in the program. Once the host has finished inviting people, the conference begins.
What is "Lag"?
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The term "lag" describes the time difference between when a person talks and when it is broadcast over the video conference. Lag varies widely and depends on the equipment used and the speed of the Internet connection. Normal lag is generally 2 to 4 seconds, but if you are using a slow connection or your network is congested, lag can soar to more than a minute. To combat long lag times, use fast Internet connections, and if you are using a system that has a large number of users, such as Skype, try scheduling your conferences for off-peak times.
What Happens if Someone Is Disconnected?
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If someone is disconnected from the video conference, she will need to be added again by the host. It is important that the disconnected user not try to re-join manually, as this can start a new conference and disrupt the current one.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of woodley wonderworks
