Types of Video Conferencing

There are many different types of video conferencing equipment available today. The different types are based on what type of video conferencing solution you choose.

There are three main types of video conferencing solutions - room based, executive desktop and web based.

Room based video conferencing

Room-based systems are housed in a conference room, sometimes dedicated only to video conferencing. Generally these are used for multi-point video conferencing.

Cisco, LifeSize, Tandberg, HP and Sony manufacture telepresence systems, the highest-end videoconferencing systems. Telepresence systems and service are characterized by:

* state-of-the art room designs
* high-definition video (30 frames per second or higher, 720 pixels)
* high-definition audio (far superior to standard PSTN audio)
* top-of-the line video cameras
* life-sized display images on 60+ inch screens
* high-end sound-systems and processors
* high-capacity bandwidth transmissions
* groupware, directory, unified communication systems and streaming/content management system integration
* integrated session recoding, including in some cases, shared data content
* $2,500-$500,000+ per room costs

Video conference room-based systems can include smaller screen systems and non-HD quality.
Executive Video Conferencing Systems

Executive desktop video conferencing

Executive video conferencing systems generally refer to all hardware-based systems used by individuals on their desks. These bring the ultimate in convenience. Now you only have to leave your desk to refill your coffee cup.

Video phones or "media phones" also fall into this category, although they are not as widely deployed.

Tandberg, Polycom, Samsung/Radvision and Sony are the market leaders in executive systems or video phones. These executive systems are characterized by:

* Integrated flat-panel screen, video camera, and microphone with phone interface
* Full-duplex (bi-directional) video and audio transmission capability
* High-quality video images from standard to high-definition
* Some enable groupware, directory, unified communication systems and streaming/content management system integration
* Some include integrated session recoding, including in some cases, shared data content
* $800 - $5,000 per device

Web-Based Video Conferencing

Many software and browser-based solutions for video conferencing or video calls abound. Most video communication today is over these types of solutions.

Web-based video conferencing involves:

* "softphone" technology - either downloaded or browser-based software
* web cams
* microphones
* Internet connection
* $0 (nice!)

Skype, Google, MicroSoft, WebEx, Avistar, ToxBox, Vidyo and many other companies provide free video conferencing for use with webcams on a computer.

Personal video communication is most common with this technology, since it's free. Increasingly, organizations are using this technology to keep people connected, especially if price trumps quality.