INTRODUCTION Videoconferencing is the conduct of a videoconference (also known as a video conference or videoteleconference) by a set of telecommunication technologies which allow

two or more locations to communicate by simultaneous two-way video and audio transmissions. It has also been called 'visual collaboration' and is a type of groupware. Videoconferencing differs from videophone calls in that it's designed to serve a conference or multiple locations rather than individuals.It is an intermediate form of videotelephony, first deployed commercially in the United States by AT&T during the early 1970s as part of their development of Picturephone technology. With the introduction of relatively low cost, high capacity broadband telecommunication services in the late 1990s, coupled with powerful computing processors and video compression techniques, videoconferencing usage has made significant inroads in business, education, medicine and media. By reducing the need for travel to bring people together the technology also contributes to reductions in carbon emissions, thereby helping to reduce global warming. Video conferencing is similar to the popular video phones where you can call anyone around the world and not only speak with them, but see them on your computer or television screen during the conversation. The difference is that video conferencing is intended to work for larger conferences rather than serving the needs of individual consumers, often using closed circuit television. While many businesses have taken this technology under wing as a useful tool, there are advantages and disadvantages of video conferencing which must be considered before you decide if it will work for your meeting needs or not.

Components for a videoconferencing system Video input : video camera or webcam 1) A video camera is a camera used for electronic motion picture acquisition, initially developed by the television industry but now common in other applications as well. 2) Webcams are video cameras which stream a live video feed to a computer. Larger video cameras (especially camcorders and CCTV cameras) can be similarly used, though they may need an analog-todigital converter in order to store the output on a computer or digital video recorder or send it to a wider network. Video output: computer monitor , television or projector 1) Computer monitors were used for data processing while television receivers were used for entertainment 2) televisions have implemented some computer functionality. The common aspect ratio of televisions, and then computer monitors, has also changed from 4:3 to 16:9. Audio input: microphones, CD/DVD player, cassette player, or any other source of PreAmp audio outlet. 1) A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. Audio output: usually loudspeakers associated with the display device or telephone 1) Loudspeaker may refer to individual transducers (known as "drivers" or to complete speaker systems consisting of an enclosure including one or more drivers Data transfer: analog or digital telephone network, LAN or Internet 1) A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building. 2) The defining characteristics of LANs, in contrast to wide area networks (WANs), include their usually higher data-transfer rates, smaller geographic area, and lack of a need for leased telecommunication lines Computer: a data processing unit that ties together the other components, does the compressing and decompressing, and initiates and maintains the data linkage via the network.

ADVANTAGES 1. Reach anyone you need to reach immediately, no matter what time of day it may be for anyone involved. Time differences between states and countries can be overlooked without anyone traveling long distances for the conference. 2. PowerPoint and other visual displays can be shared with everyone attending the conference at the same time, giving the feel of everyone being in one room and keeping everyone on task and focused.. 3. It is possible, with some services, for everyone to gain access to another computer, seeing whatever is on that computer screen. With more advanced services, a document can even be changed and typed into directly from other computers connected into the conference. Businesses that require active collaboration on one project form can be greatly enhanced with this possibility.

DISADVANTAGES 1. The price may be the biggest drawback for some people, though there are very cheap options if you do not require the more advanced features. Usually, a business that can make good use of the more advanced features often finds that the money they save flying clients or employees around the country or world more than makes up for the cost of the service provider. As fuel becomes more of an issue around the world, the price becomes less of a disadvantage and more of an advantage. 2. There are some human ways of communicating that do not translate very well over a distance, such as eye contact. When you sit in the same room with someone and listen to a speech or presentation you will make eye contact and they will judge who is paying attention by looking around the room. Much of this contact is not easily delivered through a webcam. 3. For some, video conferencing cant replace the benefits of face-to-face contact. When

meeting with someone over video, it cant shake hands, make proper eye contact or fully observe body language. This can be a turn-off for people who are used to more personal forms of communication.

CONCLUSION

. Using videoconferencing as a tool for screening candidates has proven significantly beneficial in searches to fill two key administrative positions. Although the number of public videoconferencing sites is growing, locating a convenient site often became an onerous task. However, as the number of sites continues to grow, the efforts to locate these sites should be minimized. Overall, the Intelligent Video Conferencing project is progressing well. The video conferencing portion of the project was held up slightly waiting for documentation from Connectix as to how to control the QuickCam, though the "extra" time was spent doing further research into existing implementations of similar projects. After the cameras arrived, some time was also spent to study the operation of the camera using some functional software that accompanies the QuickCam. (This software is designed for snapshots or strobe shots and not motion video.At this point, flowcharts detailing the subsystem operations are complete and the resulting psuedocode is being written. Implementation as a C program will soon follow. The team continues to explore the Java language and refine the interface as new needs become apparent. While currently only a conceptual image, the mock-up of the interface provides a means to focus on the various aspects of the project in a format other than just text. When all other components are complete, the interface specifications will have then been fully developed and coding can begun. After the video system is complete, the audio subsystem will be the next to be implemented. As the programming specifics are not known to the design team, as none have worked with programming for a SoundBlaster-compatible system previously, research is already underway to understand the needs in this area. Following this will be the networking code where the key will be to optimize packet composition and compression in order to transmit nearly full-motion video along with an audio stream without encountering unacceptable delays due to the constraints of network bandwidth. In the Image Following group, testing has been done with the transducers that will be implemented and the design of the needed interface circuitry and control software is progressing based on these results. At the same time, the motors were acquired and the interface circuitry and control software for them is also progressing. The design of the assembly is also underway and soon after its completion it should be possible to integrate the two parts of the Image Following subsystem so that testing and design improvements can begin.Videoconferencing should prove advantageous for future searches.

REFERENCE 1.German Postoffice To Use Television-Telephone For Its Communication System", (Associated Press) The Evening Independent, St. Petersburg, Fl, September 1, 1934 2:Peters, C. Brooks, "Talks On 'See-Phone': Television Applied to German Telephones Enables Speakers to See Each Other...", The New York Times, September 18, 1938 3. Robertson, A. E.: "Microphones" Illiffe Press for BBC, 1951-1963 4.A Review of the Basic Components of a Local Area Network (LAN)". NetworkBits.net. Retrieved 2008-04-08.

Title INTRODUCTION COMPENENT FOR VIDEO CONFERENCING ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE CONCLUSION REFERENS

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