A Guide to Audio and Video Conferencing Mode of Communication.
Communication methods have recently advanced due to the growth in technology industry. There has been a big change in audio and video communication method. This communication method involves two or more participants. Audio and video conferencing is often used in a meeting, but with people sited in different locations. Audio, and video conferencing has some differences as outlined below.
Audio conferencing requires a quality telephone handset for it to be successful and clear. Audio conferencing does not require network connection. With video conferencing, you need a high-speed internet connection as well as compatible devices for each and every participants in the video call.
Another difference is that video conferencing requires equipment and tools such as microphone, a personal computer with web camera, speakers and many more as need be. You only need a telephone handset for audio conference.
Participants in a video conferencing can see each other face-to-face and can share graphics, presentations, etc. If there will be need to discuss any file, presentation etc. in an audio conference, participants will be required to have shared the file before the start of the conference as they will not be seeing each other.
The environment for the two conferencing methods is very different. Lighting or any environment setup is not important when it comes to audio conferencing. Since the participants should be seeing each other during a video conference, the lighting and the surroundings should be appropriate.
There are advantages and disadvantages to this mode of communication. One of the pros is that it allows users to download software that is easy to use over the internet to communicate easily. The participants do not miss out on anything even when they are in a different location from the rest, as they are able to join the conference from any location.
Audio and video conferencing saves time and costs as participants can participate from their current location without having to travel to meet the rest.
One disadvantage of video conference is that it requires high-speed internet which can be a challenge at times, leading to an interruption during the conferencing. Without a good network reception, the calls during the audio conferencing will not be clear, thus interfering with the smooth running of the conferencing. Users will be required to quality devices such as good speakers, quality microphone and web camera, etc. for the conferencing to be successful.
In cases where users are sharing computers in video conferencing or users are not familiar with some gadgets been used, the conferencing process will be interfered with and might not be successful.