Audio and Video Conferencing

A conference is typically considered a gathering of multiple individuals to discuss a specific subject. Interesting concepts are discussed at the meeting, and participants share fresh data.

Teleconferencing is an electronic platform connecting more than two individuals seated in two distinct places to discuss a subject or issue.Teleconferencing for schooling is a useful medium, especially for distance learning.There are numerous varieties of teleconferences:

• Audio Conference
• Video Conference
• Web Conference

What is Video Conference?

• Hosting a teleconference involving two or more individuals at various locations using computer networks to broadcast audio and video data is known as a video conference or video conferencing. It might be multi-point or point-to-point. Gatherings that use video operate in one of two ways.
• Point-to-point video conference
  • The simplest way to comprehend this scenario is the situation where one individual or a group is related to another.
  • Meetings cannot be held without hardware computer solutions like microphones, webcams, computers, laptops, or tablets, as well as a specialized conference hall.
• Multi-point video conferencing
  • A connection is made between three or more sites during multi-point video conferences.
  • In other words, it enables three or more attendees to interact with one another virtually, and it appears as if all were seated together in a conference room.
  • Additionally, everyone who attends sessions can see and listen to the opinions of every contact present in the meeting.
  • In this case, centralized software processes a stream of digital information, including sound, video, and subject matter.

Components of video conference

The following basic elements are included in video conferencing:

• High-speed broadband internet is frequently used as a data transfer network.
  • Internet protocol (IP) and integrated system digital networks (ISDN) are compatible with video conferencing technology.
  • These extensive networks enable video conferencing to reach audiences throughout the world.
• A desktop screen, television, or projector that can stream video often serves as the hardware.
  • A camera, microphone, video conferencing equipment, display, and audio system are all included.
  • Both software and hardware-based Codex (coder/decoder) technology used in video conferencing units receive visual and voice signals (video and audio) and convert them into a format that can be transmitted via the network of the remote location.
  • After the distribution, Codex shrinks AV data into digital packets, which are decompressed at the endpoint.
  • Additionally, it lowers bandwidth needs.
  • A projector transmitting onto a surface can be considered a display unit.
  • For video conferences, the audio setup must be perfect.
  • It might be necessary to have a good audio system with speakers, an amplifier, and a mixer.
  • A minimum of two microphones are needed, either the external microphone or the one that allows access to the device.
  • Software that eliminates voice echo and facilitates real-time communication is also an investment.
• The Conference Setting: Improving picture quality can be achieved with a good lighting.
  • Likely, there is not enough light to provide the best quality for the video conference webcams if the space is not specifically designed or furnished for video conferencing.

Benefits of Video Conferencing

• They can help people work more productively and engage with co-workers, associates, and customers more effectively in the workplace.
• Reduced travel fares, particularly for staff coaching, and shorter project timelines that improve teamwork are some of the real advantages of video conferencing for businesses.
• More effective encounters with clients, both inside and outside of enterprises.
• Face-to-face conversation enhances communication on a personal level and enables individuals to develop better relationships with people they have never actually encountered in person.
• The team is more engaged using video conferencing before, during, and after meetings.
• Users can use non-verbal signifiers on video that are missed during audio chats, illuminating the discourse.
• In addition to fostering a culture of collaborative meetings within your association, video conferencing software is a foundation for engaging today's digital labour market.

Additional benefits include:

• Distributing presentations.
• Lessened pressure, stress, and tiredness from travel.
• It enables immediate, two-way information communication that includes spoken and visual elements.
• Greater involvement in meetings from those who previously couldn't attend.
• Increased exposure to specialists/experts on a national and worldwide level.
• Lessening the environmental impact of travel.
• People may record a conference session that they can use later. For instance, students may save and share class notes via the network for future reference.
• Decisions can be made faster by permitting last-minute encounters between people in different cities.
• Wider spatial reach and accessibility, even to rural or distant areas.

Issues with Video Conferencing

• Some learners may become lethargic as they can take their lectures from home, thus lacking self-discipline.
• The lack of communication between students and educators or within the student body.
• The received image and sound may suffer from the technology. If a picture moves jerkily, body language can be missed. The sound may also have a delay.
• Face-to-face interaction ambiance is eliminated.
• When used for meetings, video conferencing works much better when the attendees are familiar.
• Since it is possible to gain access to a personal VC meeting, confidentiality may be jeopardized.

Use of Video Conferencing

• It can be used for educating students.
• For business meetings
• Data Exchange
• Interviews
• Telemedicine
• A legal job

Audio Conference

• Audio conferencing seeks to facilitate simultaneous interaction and collaboration.
• The use of technologies that enable parallel sound transmission and reception for interaction during an audio teleconference between two or more participants seated at different locations is known as audio conferencing.
• Two or more individuals use a conference bridge or other technology in distinct destinations to hold an audio teleconference.
• A conventional phone is not the same as an audio conference. Instead, each member dials the other during an audio conference, and a single system connects them all.
• To further enhance the effectiveness of audio meetings, many audio-conferencing packages may also include online collaboration services as standard or extra features like screen sharing capabilities.
• Audio conferencing frequently necessitates a separate dial-in code in addition to the phone number for security reasons to help keep out unauthorized participants.
• Some conferencing systems also support using a unique audio pin that identifies particular users to help participants in audio conferences be identified.
• Two different kinds of audio conferencing exist.
  • Two participants in distinct locations can communicate and interact using point-to-point audio conferencing technology.
  • Multi-point audio conferencing systems can help three or more individuals across different locations collaborate and communicate.
• Each participant's desktop or phone must have the conferencing software installed for audio conferencing.
• Speakers, microphones, and a data connection are required on the desktop or phones used for conferences.

The Advantages of Audio Conferences

• Audio conferencing is economical, more widely available, and simpler to configure than video conferencing.
• In the meanwhile, using an audio-conferencing system will also result in a call that is of respectable quality.
• Compared to other teleconferencing forms, audio conferencing can help businesses save time and money by eliminating the need to commute for physical meetings.
• Professionals may also be able to quickly convene an online communication session with important subject-matter expertise using specialized audio-conferencing technologies to handle business or consumer concerns.
• You might not require as many audio and video conference rooms if you have a robust audio-conferencing platform.
• Some audio-conferencing solutions can support several conferencing hosts.

Due to all of these factors, audio conferencing is a fantastic means for groups of more than two individuals to communicate simultaneously.

Negative Aspects of Audio Conferences

Some of the technical details of video conferences are missing in this telecommunication form.

Web Conferences

• Web conferencing allows you to have a meeting where everyone can concurrently listen on the phone and see each other virtually through a web browser.
• The organizer can control the member's views, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
• To accentuate certain ideas, participants may also utilize drawing implements.
• It is mostly employed for online seminars and conferences.

Benefits of Web Conferencing

• By letting attendees join the meeting from home rather than having to travel vast distances, it saves their energy, time, and money.
• Engaging with people and legitimate sources can help students and teachers receive current knowledge and experiences connected to their themes and areas of interest.
• In contrast to conventional face-to-face conferencing, the members can participate more freely and with proper preparation.

Differences between the Teleconferencing Technologies

• Members in audio conferencing can only listen to one another's and the host's voices. In contrast, those in video conferencing and web conferencing can listen to each other's voices and see a virtual representation of the other members.
• While web and video conferencing are preferable for prolonged meetings since they are more engaging due to video and images, audio conferencing is better for shorter sessions.
• Web and video conferencing participants can see the presentations, graphics, and other things; however, audio conferencing can only be used to provide brief facts and data information.
• Audio conferencing does not cost much money. While video and web conferencing costs a lot of money as they require additional internet access to provide participants with accurate and clear data.