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1. What is videoconferencing?
Videoconferencing or video meetings provide a means for efficient communication, collaboration and decision-making even when people cannot be physically present in the same location. It has many of the same advantages as a face-to-face meeting including being able to see each other's facial expressions and body language. It also allows people to share files and data, so that it is easy to hold presentations, review documents and make fast decisions.
2. What components are required for a videoconference?
The minimum required components at each endpoint of a videoconference are a microphone, a camera, a codec, a monitor and a speaker. The camera and microphone capture the image and sound, the codec converts the video and audio into a digital signal, encodes it and sends it out. The codec at the other end decodes the signal and distributes the video and audio to the monitor and speaker. Top quality videoconferencing systems can provide additional features which enhance the video meeting and system providers can help tailor-make the system for a particular meeting environment or purpose.
3. What kind of network do I need for a videoconference?
You can have a videoconference on almost any type of digital network. ISDN is currently the most common network however IP is quickly becoming wide-spread.
4. What kind of audio and video quality will I receive?
As a general rule, the higher the bandwidth used to connect the systems, the better the audio and video quality. When you have a video meeting, the quality is just like broadcast TV. The people are easy to see and hear and the picture is sharp.
5. Who can I talk to using videoconferencing?
You can use your videoconferencing system to collaborate with anyone who has a standards-based videoconferencing system or a telephone, including co-workers, employees, customers and suppliers. Visit our Benefits and Applications pages for more information.
6. How long will it take me to learn to use my videoconferencing system?
Ease of use is essential to videoconferencing. If you can make a call on your mobile telephone, you will be able to set up a call with a TANDBERG videoconferencing system.
7. How quickly will my investment in videoconferencing equipment pay off?
Many companies are experiencing the value of videoconferencing and the quick rate of return they receive due to accelerated decision-making processes, efficient communications, and improved information flow. From a purely financial perspective, a useful estimation tool is the TANDBERGÂ videoconferencing calculator.
8. How can videoconferencing form part of my company's overall communications strategy?
Videoconferencing is increasingly being seen as a mission critical technology and an integral part of companies overall communications strategies. TANDBERG is an expert in videoconferencing solutions and has partnered with best of class companies in other areas to offer a broad communications solution.
9. Can I purchase a system in my home country for installation at our company's office in another country?
Yes, TANDBERG's Global Presence Program makes it easy for a company to deliver and implement videoconferencing at its offices around the world.
10. Is it safe to discuss confidential matters in a videoconferencing call?
Using encryption, a feature on all of TANDBERG's videoconferencing systems, the video calls will have a high level of security. The encryption process occurs automatically at the start of a videoconference without the caller having to make any adjustments to the system. TANDBERG's standards-based platform means that our systems are also compatible with external encryption devices.
11. Why is it important to select a standards-based videoconferencing system?
Standards guarantee compatibility between different manufacturers' systems. When you select standards-based equipment you ensure that your systems are interoperable regardless of manufacturer, that they are equipped with the latest technology, and that your investment continues to pay off in the long run. All TANDBERG equipment adheres to standards and TANDBERG is a board member of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
12. What is a CODEC?
CODEC is an acronym for Coder/Decoder. This device encodes (for transmission) and decodes (upon receipt) digital video and analogue audio signals so these signals occupy less bandwidth during transmission.
13. Can I connect a PC to the videoconferencing system?
You can connect a PC to a videoconferencing system in order to share and show files from your PC to the other participants in the videoconference. The connection can be made using a cable between the system and the PC (TANDBERG's PC PresenterTF), or using a wireless software connection (TANDBERG PC SoftPresenterTF). The "best" way depends on your personal preference and your choice of videoconferencing system.
14. Can I connect several sites at the same time in a single call?
Yes, connecting several sites at the same time is one of the greatest values of videoconferencing. TANDBERG lets you do it easily in two different ways. The first way is through the MultiSiteTF feature, which is embedded in many of the TANDBERG systems. MultiSiteTF lets you connect up to 4 video sites and 1 audio site in a single call with the simple touch of a button. The other alternative is the TANDBERG MCU, which enables the connection of up to 16 video and 16 audio sites.
15. Can I see the presenter and presentation at the same time in a videoconferencing call?
The advantage of videoconferencing compared to other forms of communications technology is that you can see the people you are talking to. With TANDBERG's Duo VideoTF feature, you can maintain eye contact with a presenter while viewing the presentation on the other screen.
16. What is the future of videoconferencing?
As more and more organizations adopt videoconferencing technology and experience the benefits it brings, systems are being deployed at unprecedented rates. Combined with the advancements in technology, the integration of voice, video and data, and the developments in network infrastructure, videoconferencing is becoming a mission critical tool for enterprises, educational institutions, and healthcare providers.
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