The Future Of Video Conferencing
Video killed the conference call…
Although we often think of working from home as a relatively recent phenomenon, people have been operating remotely from colleagues or their workplaces for decades. The primary method of communication for off-site meetings used to be conference calls, where several participants would join a dedicated line as part of a virtual meeting.
The Internet Revolutionizes the Conference Call
The internet provided a platform to improve on this limited – and often awkward – format thanks to video conferencing. Essentially employing the same principles as conference calls while adding a video stream, this sector has expanded far beyond its pixelated, low-resolution origins. Today’s video conferencing platforms are sophisticated communication tools with innovative features, and can represent a far more efficient method of corporate communication than simply expecting people to attend the same office at the same time. Surveys have indicated a strong preference for video conferencing over audio-only calls or physically attending a meeting, helping to underpin a rapid expansion across the sector.
Modern video conferencing is underpinned by continual improvements in hardware availability. No longer are we reliant on fuzzy webcams with tiny microphones – even a contemporary Android phone will be able to capture HD video and crisp audio, while output should also be quite sufficient for video conferencing purposes. Integrated laptop webcams remain something of a weak link, especially when compared to the HD cameras in fully adjustable clasps that can be purchased for as little as $20 online, but they’re generally more fit for purpose. By 2020 it’s expected that every new computer, tablet and smartphone will offer HD video recording and sound quality far superior to today’s standards.
Network Importance
Choosing a suitable host network has become increasingly challenging as more software providers exploit the cloud’s boundless potential. Many people automatically default to using the market-leading Skype platform, with crisp audio codecs alongside compatibility with Linux and Mac. Files of any size can be shared between delegates, while parent company Microsoft has seamlessly integrated Office 365 and the all-important Outlook.
Here in 2016, there is a growing army of pretenders to Skype’s crown. Zoom has become widely used as it’s equally easy to operate on desktop or mobile devices. Conference calls are free for the first 40 minutes, and Zoom makes a decent fist of maximizing the screen display of whoever is talking at any given moment. Users can share their screens with other people, watermark sensitive content to prevent unauthorized screen grabs and exchange files or encrypted IMs while conversing.
Leading providers of dedicated or desktop-based video conferencing solutions include Adobe Connect with its customizable desktops and file annotation, or the one-click event hosting offered by Citrix GoToMeeting. Cisco WebEx remains the oldest video conferencing platform, bolstered by sixteen international data centers and the ability to host a meeting on an iPhone, while the high-quality video codecs of ooVoo have become the communication channel of choice for the US House of Representatives.
The Future of Video Chat
With security an ever-growing concern among companies, the coming years will see a greater focus on end-to-end encryption and file security among video conferencing platforms. Users can also expect a shift towards displays that can incorporate three-dimensional imaging, with uses from medical diagnoses through to prototype demonstrations. These complex displays will capitalize on rising bandwidth speeds capable of delivering HD content without requiring today’s levels of compression to prevent packet loss, with some industry observers suggesting a move towards adjustable bandwidth connections that can be temporarily boosted during periods of heavy usage.
There will also be a greater focus on file sharing within video conferencing architecture, enabling in-app viewing of PDFs or Word files without having to exit the application and load up a separate platform. The medical profession is championing the potential for telemedicine consultations, allowing sick patients to be examined at home without any risk of infecting other people, while patient observation could also be carried out remotely. With 96% of business leaders reporting a belief in video conferencing’s ability to improve productivity, the future looks very bright for this burgeoning industry.