The Different Types of Video Conferencing Systems

Video conferencing systems have evolved. There is one there that can surely fit your budget and specifications. To help you along the way, here are four of the types that are being used to day by government offices and private corporations.

These are namely telepresence conferencing system, integrated conference room system, set top video conferencing system and desktop conferencing system. Let us discuss each of them.

The telepresence system literally enables you to be in a meeting with other people located in other places. There are two types around. One is the portable or roll about and the immersion that is room based.

This type of system consists of a high definition codec coupled with flat panel screens and high definition audio. The price tag for those who are interested will be from $60,000 to $300,000 each which depends on the size and capabilities of what you decide to purchase.

But the most common used is the integrated room conferencing system that is used by offices and in some schools. There is a centralized location for the codec and the associated hardware. It also comes with a main camera, displays and peripheral video sources with multiple features. It is much cheaper than the first one mentioned as this is available from $10,000 to $100,000 each.

Set top video systems are designed to sit on a monitor. They are small and are easy to move around should this be needed in another room when you are conducting a meeting. It is quite affordable given that vendors usually sell these from $3,000 to $20,000 a piece.

The last is the desktop video conferencing system that is the cheapest one around and used by people working at home or keeping in touch with friends and family members. The system is priced between $250 to $400 each and despite its size, you are still able to do voice, video and application sharing.

For those who don’t to shell out cash, you can download software like Skype or Yahoo Messenger. You just need to buy the camera that has a built in microphone.

When you buy any of the four types of video conferencing systems mentioned, a technician that works for the vendor will set this up for you. Once installed, it is very easy to operate because it is user friendly so you don’t have to worry about anything when this has to be operated.

Videoconferencing systems have a lot of benefits to the user. For one, you don’t have to travel anymore if you want to speak to someone face to face when you can have the meeting done in the conference room.

This of course amounts to savings since you don’t have to pay for airfare, traveling expenses and you no longer have to deal with the stress associated with travel.

So which video conferencing system should you get? This depends on the size of the room, the number of participants per site, the system or format you will be calling, its data capability and the preferred system integrator to put this all together.

Once you are able to figure that out, it will already be easy for you to shop for the right one that your company will be using for the long term.