The personal computer has led to a revolution in the way we communicate. Today's consumers have access to many advanced technologies that only big businesses could afford previously. Desktop video conferencing is one of these technologies.

Definition

Desktop video conferencing is the use of a camera with a microphone (commonly called a webcam) connected to a computer with an Internet connection to communicate with one or more people. The camera captures and transmits images via the Internet and, as a result, speech and action performed in front of the camera are available on other computers connected to the conference.

History

Video conferencing itself was introduced to the world during the 1964 World's Fair in New York. In the 1970s, AT&T introduced a Picturephone which was prohibitively expensive and was therefore not widely adopted. The first desktop video conferencing software which enjoyed mass-market success was called CU-SeeMe, a program first available using the Apple Macintosh operating system. Later a version was developed for the Microsoft Windows operating system, which was also very successful.

Popular Programs

Today, people are able to start a desktop video conference with a wide range of software programs and services. Among the most popular are: Microsoft Live--a free instant messaging program; Skype--a free program that allows phone calls and video calls over the internet, and Oovoo--a subscription service that offers a limited service for free. Many users are using desktop video conferencing like they would a telephone call, but with the added benefit of visual communication.

Applications

Desktop video conferencing allows people to see what is taking place at another location without having to travel. As a result, businesses can reduce their travel budget by using video conferencing for training and for sales demonstrations, universities are starting to stream lectures to students live, people are learning foreign languages from native speakers halfway around the globe and grandmothers and grandfathers are able to see their grandchildren grow and develop even if they live far away.

Future

The future of desktop video is very exciting because television manufacturers are incorporating video cameras and Internet connectivity into their TV sets. Consumers can use services such as Skype with these newer televisions to conduct video conferences from the comfort of their living room.

Source:

nefsis.com: Video Conferencing History

BusinessWeek: Profile of Oovoo

Skype: Get Skype on Your TV

More Information:

bus.umich.edu: Set Up Desktop Video-conferencing

Skype

Tandberg: Video Conferencing Guide