Multipoint Videoconferencing

Multipoint videoconferencing is an extremely modern means of communication which allows as many as three or more people to conduct a video conference with the help of computer networks. It is one of the very profitable Internet services that has given businessmen and media people a wide scope for improvement and success. Before we get into the nitty gritties of multipoint videoconferencing it is advisable to know what is videoconferencing actually.

Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing is similar to multipoint videoconferencing. Videoconferencing refers to the conference which is conducted by transmitting video and audio data, with the help of computer networks between 2 or more than 2 participants. These participants exist at separate sites. A system of point-to-point video conferencing works somewhat like any video telephone. All the participants are supplied with individual video cameras, speakers and microphones which are mounted on their computers. So when the participants speak, their voiced get transmitted through the networks and delivered to the speakers of the other participants. Similarly the video images also get delivered to the other participant's monitor.

Function of Multipoint VideoconferencingMultipoint videoconferencing is a more advanced form of videoconferencing where 3 or more participants are involved. They remain present in a virtual conference room and the conference is carried out in such a way as if they were sitting in one place. It gives an enlarged dimension to the conference even when the participants are placed at different locations.

Before the middle of 1990's, the hardware for multipoint videoconferencing was enormously priced. Therefore most organizations practically steered clear of multipoint videoconferencing. Today the situation has improved and there are a number of ways for scheduling multipoint videoconferencing.