Planning Your Video Conferencing Solutions

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What’s the difference between Video Conferencing and Telepresence?

Telepresence picks up where video conferencing left off. Telepresence IS real time, full-high-definition, immersible sound and vision. Telepresence IS most importantly: the feeling of being “there” when you’re “here”. Telepresence is lifelike, video conferencing is not. Telepresence is that hi-line Mercedes AMG, video conferencing is a Ford Escort - Period.

Why Telepresence now?

Video conferencing has been around a while now but has always lacked the feeling we spoke about above. Jumpy computer screens, broken audio and poor lighting add to the impersonal touches of video conferencing (ie slow motion camcorder on top of your computer monitor). Finally, technology, bandwidth, vision and sound have all converged on video conferencing to create the telepresence experience. It’s about time! Crystal clear surround sound and real-time full-high-definition visual effects enhance the feeling of being there – thus telepresence. That nervous twitch, roll of the eyes, sniffle, tap of the foot – things you see when you’re present and sitting across a conference room table – things you don’t see or feel from video conferencing, but do with telepresence.

Today, what “real” uses are there for Telepresence?

There is no short answer even possible here. We’ll name a few, more like we’ll put your imagination to work. Imagine a single specialist doctor in Canada treating patients in Haiti via telepresence. Robots in space doing the actual work while the telepresence operator dons his telepresence helmet and gloves at his workstation in Texas. Meeting your Russian company vice president while you’re in the executive telepresence room at the office in Denver. Just a few…

What are “real” savings of Telepresence?

Your imagination still working on the last answer? Don’t let up yet! What carbon footprint? Don’t need that airplane ticket to go check on your staff in Russia now do you? What lost life in the Iraqi war? Unmanned drones and soldiers via telepresence. Military and combat cost savings? Immeasurable. Less travel costs, airline frustration, fuel, lost time, carbon emissions, etc. Those are tangible, real savings to name just a very limited few.

You starting to see what telepresence can do that video conferencing can’t? We hope you see what we’re seeing! Telepresence – its time has arrived!

Check out the video thread in Section 8 of the Telepresence Forum where you can watch some Telepresence YouTube videos! If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth a million!

Ride on the "Next Plane of Existence" TM

A video conference is a way for you to telecommunicate with other branches in your business. It is a two-way interaction with video and audio communications. This means you will be able to see the people you are speaking with rather than staring at a phone. You have to perform these conferences simultaneously. In other words, you are preparing to go online at the exact same time as your counterparts. Video conferencing solutions to business matters are important for you to get your work done without having to fly every time you need to speak with another coworker.

There are different video conferencing solutions available to you. You can choose HD, IP, Polycom, or even PC video conferencing. These systems will allow you to communicate immediately and with a high resolution. First, video conferencing is based on an IP, LAN, Wan, or Broadband system. Depending on which system you choose you may only have one choice in equipment or at least resolution. The IP network works off of an Internet Provider Server. This means you are using your IP address to send information. You may wish to have a private network to make the speeds faster. The other type of systems is actually your Internet service provider. A broadband connection is one of the highest speeds on the Internet. LAN or Wan are typically wireless connections, although they do not have to be. You need to make sure that you have enough bandwidth to stabilize the connection.

When you are using video conference equipment, you are essential online with a connection. This means that you have to have enough speed to hold the connection while you use the applications. Part of video conferencing solutions is to make sure that you have the connection you need for the programs or applications you will be using. If you need video to see everyone, video to show a presentation or to send information the connection has to be strong enough.

You will also want to have the correct camera equipment to send the video. Video conferencing solutions or systems require you to have a high-resolution camera or HD camera to make sure that your pictures are coming in clear on the other end as well as your end. You will also need to have a conferencing provider to help you establish the connection. This means they offer security, solutions to problems, and the network to get your conferencing equipment up and running.

MR ANTHONY D ROBINSON owns and operates http://www.bettervideoconferencing.com Video Conferencing