Video conferencing allows visual communication between multiple users regardless of location in real time. It requires conferencing software, hardware like cameras and microphones, and infrastructure to transmit audio and video. Video conferencing provides benefits like saving travel time and costs while allowing collaboration through tools like content sharing. There are different modes of video conferencing including point-to-point calls between two users and multipoint calls with multiple participants who can see and interact differently depending on the mode. Popular software options that can be used for video conferencing include Microsoft Teams and Google Hangouts.

1. Video conferencing is a visual communication session between two or more users regardless of their
location, featuring audio and video content transmission in real time.
For effective video conferencing, business companies or organizations need to set up a profiling
conferencing software and hardware solutions for rooms, PCs, mobile devices, and browsers. Video
conferencing consists of an endpoint (ranging from a simple PC to a telepresence system), video
conferencing server (to run group videoconferencing), peripherals (webcam, microphone, speakerphone,
headset, etc.) and software infrastructure (video processing, content transmission, integrations). Video
conferencing is a modern high-tech communication tool for increasing efficiency for businesses, optimizing
and accelerating decision-making processes, and cutting customer’s and company staff travel costs.
Video Conferencing Benefits
 Save your time. You can run video meetings with remote colleagues on the run right from your desktop or
meeting room. With video meeting solution you don’t waste your time and money on business vacations,
cut event management costs, etc.
 Easy-to-use. You just need to schedule your video meeting, invite your colleagues and start video
conferencing right away! Your conferencing software will also send you a notification to remind you of
your meeting. Additionally, video conferencing system interface is extremely user-friendly and does not
need additional trainings.
 Collaboration tools. For efficient workflow video conferencing system often features different
collaboration tools, such as content and screen sharing, slideshow, instant messaging. Collaboration tools
allow multiple users to work on a joint project, share their results and brainstorm ideas.
 Real-life impressions. As compared to phone talks, video conferencing is much closer to real life as it
features visual contact. During a video meeting you can see user’s emotions and articulation and establish
eye contact, which is crucial for social communication and especially business interactions. Additionally,
video conferencing systems do not allow users to distract, making it easier to focus on the communications
as during a real meeting.
 Security. Modern video conferencing systems are based on specialized codecs, proprietary protocols and
actively using encryption, which is why security risks can only be caused by a human factor.
Video Conferencing Modes
There are two main video conferencing modes: point-to-point video calls and multipoint video
conferencing. Point-to-point video call features a video session between two users, while multipoint or
group video conferencing features video meetings with more than two users. Multipoint conferencing mode
includes several subtypes depending on your needs, the number of participants and active speakers
participating in the meeting.
Point-to-Point Video Call
Point-to-point video call is a video session involving two participants who can see and hear each other
simultaneously. Both meeting participants are provided with various collaboration tools such as text
messaging, file transfer, slide show, etc.

2. Symmetric Video Conference
Symmetric video conference is a full-duplex video session involving more than two participants who can
see and hear each other simultaneously. Symmetric video conferencing is similar to a roundtable discussion
where all participants have equal rights. This video conferencing mode is perfect if you need active
involvement of all the speakers.
Voice-Activated Switching
With voice-activated switching, all participants can see and hear only the active speaker while he/she can
see himself/herself or the previous speaker. The technology solution can be executed in various ways, but
the idea behind VAS remains the same: video conferencing server monitors voice activity of the conference
participants and immediately switches focus to the speaker. This mode features considerable disadvantages,
e.g. false activation due to noise, coughing or mobile calls.

3. Role-Based Video Conference
Role-based video conference features two types of participants: active speakers and passive listeners. Every
listener can become a speaker with the permission of the conference owner. The owner can add a new video
conferencing participant, agree to give the floor to any listener or remove speaker’s rights immediately.
Video Conferencing for Distance Learning
Video conferencing solution for distance learning or a video lecture is a video session where the speaker
(the instructor) can see and hear all the students, while the students can see and hear only the instructor.
This way, the students easily focus on the learning process and don’t get distracted by other students, while
the instructor is able to monitor them.
Streaming

4. Streaming is a conference mode which allows speaker to broadcast video to a wide audience without seeing
or hearing the listeners. Other participants can see and hear only the speaker, while feedback is available
via text chat.
The best video conferencing software
Very few solutions can claim the title of the best video conferencing software. There are some features that
make these tools stand out among other products. For example, they usually maintain excellent quality of
both video and audio even on weak channels. Besides, such solutions can work in LAN/VPN which is often
critical for improving the protection technology of confidential information. This software should also have
user-friendly interface and provide collaboration tools allowing customers to work on a whole range of
tasks. As a rule, users expect such solutions to support multiple video conferencing modes and be
compatible with existing AV equipment and endpoints. Besides, 4K video support is a must-have for many
clients looking for high-end video conferencing software.
Work done
Practicing video conferencing on Microsoft Teams and Google hangouts
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is your hub for teamwork in Office 365. All your team conversations, files, meetings, and
apps live together in a single shared workspace, and you can take it with you on your favorite mobile device.
Whether you’re sprinting towards a deadline or sharing your next big idea, Teams can help you achieve
more.
Chat from anywhere
Share your opinion, and your personality. Send gifs, stickers, and emojis in a group chat or in one-to-one
messages.
Meet from anywhere
Instantly go from group chat to video conference with the touch of a button. Teams of 10 or 10,000 can
meet in one place, no matter how many places they’re in.
Call from anywhere
Never yell “who just joined?!” ever again. Use Teams calling, Phone System, Calling Plan1, or Direct
Routing to take the stress out of conference calls.
Collaborate from anywhere
Never do that frantic, searching-for-files thing ever again. In Teams you can access, share, and edit Word
docs, PowerPoint, and Excel files in real time.
Google Hangouts - Messaging, voice and video calls
Message a friend or start a group conversation
Have a one-to-one conversation or include all your friends with group chats for up to 100 people. Say more
with photos, maps, emoji, stickers and GIFs.

5. Connect at any time with voice and video calls
Turn any conversation into a free video call with just one tap. Talk one-to-one or invite friends for a group
call with up to 10 people.
Stay in sync across your devices
Sync your chats from device to device and keep the conversation going wherever you are. Keep in touch
with friends across Android, iOS and the web.
Use Hangouts to keep in touch. Message contacts, start free video or voice calls, and hop on a conversation
with one person or a group.
• Include all your contacts with group chats for up to 150 people.
• Say more with status messages, photos, videos, maps, emoji, stickers, and animated GIFs.
• Turn any conversation into a free group video call with up to 10 contacts.
• Call any phone number in the world (and all calls to other Hangouts users are free!).
• Connect your Google Voice account for phone calling, SMS texting, and voicemail integration.
• Keep in touch with contacts across Android, iOS, and the web, and sync chats across all your devices.
• Message contacts anytime, even if they’re offline.