Video Conference Systems 

Continued....

In video conference systems the use of audio modems in the transmission line allow for the use of POTS, or the plain telephony network in some low-speed applications, such as video telephony, because they convert the digital pulses to/from analog waves in the audio spectrum range.

The other components required for a VTC or video conference system system include:

• video input: video camera or webcam
  
• video output: computer monitor or television 
  
• audio input: microphones 
  
• audio output: usually loudspeakers associated with the display device or telephone 
  
• data transfer: analog or digital telephone network, LAN or Internet

There are basically two kinds of Video Conference systems:

1) Dedicated systems: have all required components packaged into a single piece of equipment, usually a console with a high quality remote controlled video camera. These cameras can be controlled at a distance to pan left and right, tilt up and down, and zoom. They became known as PTZ cameras. The console contains all electrical interfaces, the control computer, and the software or hardware-based codec. Omnidirectional microphones are connected to the console, as well as a TV monitor with loudspeakers and/or a video projector. 

There are several types of dedicated VTC devices: 

Large group VTC are non-portable, large, more expensive devices used for large rooms and auditoriums. 

Small group VTC are non-portable or portable, smaller, less expensive devices used for small meeting rooms. 

Individual VTC are usually portable devices, meant for single users, have fixed cameras, microphones and loudspeakers integrated into the console. 

2) Desktop systems: are add-ons (hardware boards, usually) to normal PC's, transforming them into VTC devices. A range of different cameras and microphones can be used with the board, which contains the necessary codec and transmission interfaces. Most of the desktops systems work with the H.323 standard. Video conferences carried out via dispersed PCs are also known as e-meetings. 

A videoconference in progress using a dedicated device (Aethra) via ISDN and a computer for data interchange support

Picture - Courtesy of author: Renato M.E. Sabbatini

Dedicated videoconferencing system with two TV displays, one for the videoconferencing, another for the slide presentation. The VTC console sits on the top of the TV at left and includes a PTZ camera

This image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike License v. 2.5:

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