Videconferencing and Education

__What is videoconferencing?__

Videoconferencing technology allows two or more people from different computer systems from different locations to communicate. These users are able to see and hear each other at the same time through internet connection provided by Internet Services Providers (ISP).

Below is a diagram of the process:

The pace of the video frames depends on the connection, hardware and the capability of the application/software. The video frame rate varies from 5-30 frames per second; an average broadcast TV is 30 frames per second (fps).

The basics of Videoconferencing technology should include a videoconference system that has audio and visual capability. These include monitor, camera, microphone, and speakers or headphone. In addition to these features, transmission information between the sites is also required; the transmission rate and quality might depend on the kind of transmission services used. For example, a broadband satellite connection with studio quality equipments would produce a first-rate movie quality video motion connection, but the service would be costly.

Videoconferencing connections are rare to local area network due to closed networking and public networks such as phone lines. Most connect via Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) due to its economical result for high resolution videoconferencing. ISDN works over regular telephone lines, and transmits a minimum of 128 Kbps, and it also provides dedicated bandwidth, this provides smooth video (13 – 30 fps) and audio frequency. On the other hand, compared to a internet based connection which produces audio that clips or delays, which also results to jerky and lagged videos due to the struggle of the bandwidth with other Internet data causes slow networking connections too.