Teleconferencing and videoconferencing allow people in different locations to communicate simultaneously through electronic means. Teleconferencing refers to telephone meetings using audio only, while videoconferencing adds video transmission to allow participants to see each other. Both technologies provide benefits like reduced costs and increased access and productivity, but also have limitations such as high equipment costs and technical issues. They can be used for a variety of purposes including meetings, presentations, training, and education.

1. HECM-512
Communication for Development
Assignment
On
Videoconferencing and
Teleconferencing
Content:
• Meaning
• Concept
• Definition
• Usages
• Advantages
• Limitations
Submitted By:
Shalini Pandey
M.Sc. (Previous)
Submitted To:
Dr. Manju Gupta
Deptt. Of Home Science
Extension & Communication
Management

2. Teleconferencing
Teleconferencing means telephone meeting among two or more participants through a
telecommunication medium. It is a generic term for linking people between two or more
locations by electronics. Teleconferencing means meeting through a telecommunications
medium.
Teleconferencing consists of a live real time session between multiple participants with the
ability to hear and see each other as well as share data and applications. Alternatively,
teleconferencing can be thought of as an aggregation of audio conferencing, video
conferencing, and data conferencing (or application sharing).
Definition: “Teleconferencing is an aggregation of audio conferencing, video conferencing,
and data conferencing, and includes multiple participants in a live real-time session.”
Types of Teleconferencing
1. Audio conference
2. Audio-graphic conference
3. Video conference
4. Computer conference
Audio conference: it involves transmission of voice only which are amplified at each end
by the speaker system. It can usually be handled over regular telephone lines rather than
needing a satellite as only voice will be transferred. It’s the most cost effective type. In this
the trainees can listen to the change agent and can also hold a conversation with the agent
and also with another group of trainees sitting at another place that might be interconnected.
Voice-only; sometimes called conference calling. Interactively links people in remote
locations via telephone lines. Audio bridges tie all lines together. Meetings can be conducted
via audio conference.
Audio-graphic conference: it employs voice plus graphic display capability. The most
frequently used graphic supplement is a facsimile machine, which transmits electronically
and reproduces at remote location anything that can be written/typed on paper. The
additional cost of such operations is justified in cases where mathematical formulas and
visual diagrams are critical to understanding.
Uses narrow band tele communications channels to transmit visual information such as
graphics, alpha-numeric, documents, and video pictures as an adjunct to voice
communication. Other terms are desk-top computer conferencing and enhanced audio.
Devices include electronic tablets/boards; freeze-frame video terminals, integrated graphics

3. systems (as part of personal computers), Fax, remote-access microfiche and slide projectors,
optical graphic scanners, and voice/data terminals
Video-conference: Combines audio and video to provide voice communications and video
images. Can be one-way video/two-way audio or two-way video/two-way audio. It can
display anything that can be captured by a TV camera. The advantage is the capability to
display moving images. In two-way audio/video systems, a common application is to show
people which creates a social presence that resembles face-to-face meetings and classes and
enables participants to see the facial expressions and physical demeanor of participants at
remote sites. Graphics are used to enhance understanding. There are three basic systems:
freeze frame, compressed, and full-motion video.
in this a television type picture is transmitted through a mounted camera on T.V. and
displayed along with the audio message. The common format is to send out a full motion
video presentation for example, a lecture speaker and to receive back voice only from the
recipient sites e.g. questions of the speaker. If full motion is not necessary to get the point
across, freeze frame, video consisting of single frame of the presentation can be transmitted
at much less expense.
Computer conference: Uses telephone lines to connect two or more computers and
modems. Anything that can be done on a computer can be sent over the lines. It can be
synchronous or asynchronous. An example of an asynchronous mode is electronic mail.
Using electronic mail (E-Mail), memos, reports, updates, and newsletters can be sent to
anyone on the local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). Items generated on
computer which are normally printed and then sent by facsimile can be sent by E-Mail.
some of the major online systems, like the source and CompuServe, have established certain
‘areas’ of the network for an exchange of information among users on the particular topic.
This endeavor is known as electronic or computer conferencing and simply an extended, and
more intensive, form of electronic mail.
There are two types of electronic conferencing:
a. Delayed time
b. Real time
Delayed time: it is closely resembles electronic mail. The conference takes place in a simple
shared ‘mail box’ on the remote system.
Real time conference is thoroughly interactive and more closely resemble a telephone
conference call- except that of course that communication is in ‘writing’. This type of
conferencing is especially useful among smaller groups of specialist who need to keep in
frequent contact in order to exchange ideas, share the latest information on research grants
and contacts, or comment on each other’s work.

4. Setting up Teleconferencing
To set up teleconference we require one way video and two ways audio. At the organisation
site, it would be a studio with television camera and microphone plus a telephone switch
board to receive incoming calls and a speaker system to amplify those voices.
The voice and the picture of the instructor in the studio would be send up to a satellite by
means of an up link- a transmitter sending signal from earth to satellite. The distribution
system whether telephone line or satellite based, could be owned by the teleconference
originator (a dedicated network) or it could be rented for one time use(an adhoc network).
At the receiving sites there will be a downlink – a satellite dish with a decoder to receive a
signals, a display stress, such as a video projector and a telephone to allow voice
communication back to the original site. Trainees can ask questions by pressing a button on
the console in the recipient site, all calls are queued up automatically and are answered.
IGNOU has established basically a system which consists of one way video and two way audio
teleconferencing networks. It has also been called by several names like “Talkback Network”,
“Interactive Narrowcasting” or “Interactive Television Network”. There are three basic
component of this system. These are:
• The teaching end (studio and uplink earth station)
• The receiving end (the class room/conference hall)
• The space craft or satellite
Advantages
• Save Time: Content presented by one or many sources is received in many places
simultaneously and instantly. Travel is reduced resulting in more productive time.
Communication is improved and meetings are more efficient. It adds a competitive
edge that face-to-face meetings do not.
• Lower Costs: Costs (travel, meals, lodging) are reduced by keeping employees in the
office, speeding up product development cycles, improving performance through
frequent meetings with timely information.
• Accessible: Through any origination site in the world. Larger Audiences: More people
can attend. The larger the audience, the lower the cost per person.
• Larger Audiences: More people can attend. The larger the audience, the lower cost
per person.
• Adaptable: Useful for business, associations, hospitals, and institutions to discuss,
inform, train, educate or present.

5. • Flexible: With a remote receive or transmit truck, a transmit or receive site can be
located anywhere.
• Security: Signals can be encrypted (scrambled) when it is necessary. Encryption
prevents outside viewers.
• Unity: Provides a shared sense of identity. People feel more a part of the group...more
often. Individuals or groups at multiple locations can be linked frequently.
• Timely: For time-critical information, sites can be linked quickly. An audio or point-
to-point teleconference can be convened in three minutes.
• Interactive: Dynamic; requires the user's active participation. It enhances personal
communication. When used well for learning, the interactivity will enhance the
learning and the teaching experience.
• Enhances productivity
• It can be used both by educational institutions and corporations for group meeting and
for instruction (tele-training).
• It can prove expert instructor to remote centers through teleconferencing.
• It offers uniform, quality controlled instruction to learner scattered over many or over
a large area.
• It allows learners at multiple locations to interact with the instructor and with each
other.
• It gives large number of learner’s simultaneous access to fresh and accurate
information.
• It provides in-service updating without leaving the work place.
• Ensures that the message gets through i.e. it is properly received understood and
assimilated.
• Teleconferencing is a very useful technology for telemedicine and telenursing
applications, such as diagnosis, consulting, transmission of medical images, etc., in
real time in countries
• Teleconferencing provides students with the opportunity to learn by participating in a
2-way communication platform.
• Teachers and lecturers from all over the world can be brought to classes in remote or
otherwise isolated places.

6. • Students are able to explore, communicate, analyze and share information and ideas
with one another.
Limitations
• Initial cost of equipment’s are very high
• Difficult for complex interpersonal communication
• Socializing is less than a face-to-face meeting.
• Although costs are falling, purchasing or reusing the needed hardware and paying the
hourly rates for satellite or telephone line are still expensive.
• The complexity of the equipment involved raises many possibilities for disruptive
technical malfunctions
• True dialogue among the participants is impeded by the unfamiliar often intimating
technology.
• The audience expectation broadcast quality presentation often leads to productions
that impress but do not instruct.
VIDEO CONFERENCING
Concept
In telecommunication the term video conference has following meanings
1. A teleconference that include video communication.
2. Pertaining to a two way electronic communications system that permits two or more
persons in different locations to engage in the equivalent of face to face audio and
video communication
Video conferencing technology allows two or more people at different location to see and
hear each other at the same time. In addition, it is often possible to share computer
application such as internet pages, library catalogue, documents, or software. This rich
communication technology offer new possibilities for Schools College and libraries including
formal instruction (courses, lessons, and tutoring), connection with guest speakers’ expert,
multi school project collaboration, professional activities such as meetings and interviews
and community events.
Prior to video, few methods of long distance live communications were available. Audio
conferencing, such as telephones and on-line chat program allowed for real-time

7. conversions, but didn’t allow for much in the wave of personal response. Seeing the person
being spoken to is an integral part of communication and could not be satisfied with the
current technologies. With the coming of video, option for communication has expanded.
Definition and meaning
“Video conferencing in its most basic form is the transmission of the image (video) and
speech (audio) back and forth between two or more physically separated location. This is
accomplished through the use of cameras, video displays, microphones, and speakers.”
Video conferencing can be described as a method of conferencing between two or more
location where both sound and vision are conveyed electronically so as to enable
simultaneous interactive communication. It can also open up new method of communication,
e.g. linking many international sites simultaneously.
Sometimes two or more group of people in separate location use audio and video links to
conduct a conference. The process requires specially equipped rooms. The participant must
be arranged so that they can be seen by the cameras and a special sound system must be
installed to ensure clear transmission of sound without acoustic feedback. Arrangements
must be made so that visual and material can be directly fed in to the system so that it can be
viewed by all the participants.
Video conferencing has emerged as a form of teleconferencing and is perceived as a new, fast
growing medium. It has potential of saving travel cost and time. Video conferencing uses
telecommunication of audio and video to bring people at different sites together for meeting.
With integrated video, voice and data capabilities, video conferencing lets any one connect
and collaborate anytime, anywhere. Teach a class, participant in a meeting, or talk to one-on-
one with the colleague or interview a job candidate with full audio and video enhanced
features allows to play DVD tape, show a PowerPoint or other application directly from your
laptop or use a document camera to share information.
Types of Video conferencing
There are two types of video conferencing:
1. Point to point conferencing
2. Multipoint conferencing
Point to point conferencing
Its communication link between any two location. Each site sees and hears the other sites at
all times

8. Multipoint conferencing
It is a link between varieties of locations. A video conference that connect to more than two
sites through the use of a multi-point control unit, or MCU. Participants at all sites can hear
one another at all times and see the site that is currently speaking.
Videoconferencing Components
• Cameras (to capture and send video from your local endpoint)
• Video displays (to display video received from remote endpoints)
• Microphones (to capture and send audio from your local endpoint)
• Speakers (to play audio received from remote endpoints)
In Addition, Two Additional Requirements:
• Codec - "compressor/de-compressor“ - makes the audio/video data "small enough"
to be practical for sending over expensive network connections. A codec takes
analog signals, compresses and digitizes them, and transmits the signals over digital
phone lines.
• The Supporting System and the Network Connection
Various Uses of video conferencing
• Presentations
• Virtual meetings
• Videoconference-based learning
• JIT (just in time) events
• Recruitment/search committees
• General meetings
Additional Uses:
• Project coordination

9. • Informal work sessions
• Alumni relations
• Question and answer sessions
Video conferencing systems
In a networked environment, the videoconference can be a point to point or point to
multipoint operation, in a two way configuration. Different parties can hear and see each
other, while one way video conference the audio visual information is transmitted from one
location to a number of geographically scattered sites. Here the possibility of feedback is
limited. The video conference can also be either motion in nature, where the visual clarity of
the participants movement are conveyed, or non-motion freeze-frame conference where the
individual and still pictures produced by a video camera are relayed and subsequently
received one at a time in the receiving end.
Among these systems, the two-way video conference is more popular and widely used. This is
helpful in training and distance education programme involving audio-visual presentation
where detailed charts, illustrations and complex diagrams can be transmitted along with
narration. The recent advances in digital video compression permit the transmission of full
motion video through standard telephone lines at lower cost. Moreover, the video
conferencing system is also available in portable and desktop configurations such as picture
phone, portable videophone and video PCs that occupy less space and can be used for
personal video-conferencing.
Benefits of Videoconferencing
• Can improve work quality
• Increase productivity
• Reduce costs
• Save money and time.
• Build relationships.
• Communicate “face to face” where it would otherwise be impossible.
• Avoid travels.
• Collaborate between teacher and learner
• Improves communication

10. • Groups can meet more frequently
• Critical meetings can be convened in less time
• More faculty and staff can be involved
Benefits of Videoconference-based Learning
• Reduction in time, money and labor involved in providing other communication
material and arranging extension program
• Social benefits include new opportunities to overcome geographical isolation,
increased social interaction, opportunities to organize and advocate for social
change, equalization of urban rural disparities and new links between urban and
rural communities.
• It improves retention and appeal to a variety of learning styles by including diverse
media such as audio, video, graphics, animation and computer applications.
• Closely resembles traditional classroom-based education; permits learners to be
active participants in the process
• Faculty and staff needs can be met more quickly through just-in-time training
• More faculty and staff can be trained faster without increasing training resources
• Guest lecturers can be easily integrated into the course
• Enables any site to be the provider of the learning activities.
• Videoconferencing is cost-effective, when you consider the traveling costs for
traditional training.
• Videoconference-based learning exploits the already acquired videoconferencing
technologies and network infrastructure.
Limitations of Videoconferencing
• The initial cost of the equipment and leasing the lines to transmit conferences may
be prohibitive.
• Unless a strong effort is made by the instructor, students not located with the
instructor may remain uninvolved in the course.

11. • If visuals, like handwritten or copied materials, are not properly prepared, students
may have a difficult time reading them.
• If the “pipe” that carries the transmission among sites is not large enough, the
students may observe “ghost images” when rapid movement occurs in “real time”
• If the system is not properly configured, class members may observe an audio
“echo” effect. The result is audio interference that detracts from the learning
environment.
• The absence of QOS (Quality of Service) provides virtually no guarantee of a
satisfying and successful experience
• Though the technology is improving, a successful videoconference is dependent
upon the connections and technologies at all of the participating sites, AND the
network infrastructure
• Security issues
Reference:
1. Grover Indu, Nishi Sethi & Deepak Grover; handbook of Communication and Media,
2004, page no. 332-339
2. Somani, L.L.;2012; Extension methodologies for Tranfer of Agricultural Technology;
page no. 264-272
3. Acharya S.K., M.M. Adhikary; Communication the Process & Application in
Extension Education, page no. 251
4. Rathakrishnan T., Communication Techniques in Farm Extension, page no. 195
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videoconferencing#Multipoint_videoconferencing
6. http://www.itsco.org/multimedia/ivc.html
7. http://www.lcsc.edu/ivc/
8. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/T/teleconference.html
9. http://www.videoconferencingadvice.com/video-conferencing-advantages-
disadvantages.html
10.http://www.seminarslides.com/ppt/SEMINAR-ON-TELECONFERENCING
11. http://www.tecweb.org/eddevel/edtech/teleconf.html

12. 12. http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/6908/Teleconferencing.html