The working of a video conference can be described as a simple IP address to IP address connection or as complex immersive telepresence. But the usual day-to-day video conferencing falls somewhere between the two.
To understand how video conferencing systems work, it is important to note that there is no complicated call initiation because they are ever-on unless turned off. Like voice-based telephones, video conferencing systems are available for incoming and outgoing calls. The system can also be set up to answer incoming calls automatically.
Connecting Interface
For desktop-based systems like the Polycom m100, or any monitor based system, the computer serves as the functioning interface of thevideo conferring software. For hardware codec, there are options for accessing the video conferencing software. The interface can be controlled via remote, a phone, or a tablet.
Codec
Every potential video conference participant will have access to the software that will interpret the data back and forth between the servers. Some of the software is hosted, some are desktop-based, like the Polycom device, and some is hosted within the hardware. Irrespective of the method of interpretation, the software will encode the outgoing data and decode the data incoming.
Firewall
A firewall serves as a protective layer within a network to protect data from outside breaches. Some video conferencing software has a built-in firewall. For systems that don’t have a built-in firewall, ports can be opened on either end of the firewall to let the video conferencing data pass freely from one end to another.
Standards-based
A system is called standard-based when it follows the set of communication rules set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to guarantee interoperability with other systems by the same and other manufacturers.
Video Compression
This is an essential part of the video conferencing process. This enables the data to move back and forth at a low bandwidth. Video is essentially a series of images, which when played at a certain speed, seem continuous. There is an indiscernible lag in the video conference which is so minute that it is not detectable. This allows the best video conferencing systems to detect repetitive images, such as pictures on the wall and other steady objects, and use the already sent data to encode and decode the images without sending the same data over and over again. This helps to minimise the bandwidth needed for the video conference.
Data Sharing
Through data sharing, participants of a video call can share data with each other. This includes sharing the desktop screen with other participants so that they can follow the presentation or take an active part in the meeting. The sharing can be terminated at will at any time during the video call.
According to Siemcom, by 2023, the video conferencing market will grow at an annual rate of 12.1% to reach $13.82. The use of video conferencing has become more prevalent after the pandemic when businesses had to adapt to unforeseen situations. Before the pandemic, about 60% of the office work was conducted in person, but by 2024, only 25% of business meetings will be conducted in person. Siemcom offers world-class video conferencing systems from Polycom that are guaranteed to take business conferences to a whole new level.