Videoconference software is a form of shared software, technically called "groupware," so that it allows several concurrent users in locations remote from each other to communicate in real time using both audio and video. Perhaps the earliest form of groupware was developed by Lotus to run on its Domino server.
Understanding Videoconferencing Software
Videoconferencing software (also called the codec) is responsible for digitally compressing audio and video streams in real time. It makes possible compression rates of up to 1:500. How does it work? In simplest terms, it produces a digital stream of 1's and 0's and then subdivides this stream into labeled packets. The packets are subsequently transmitted through either ISDN or IP (or any digital network) using either audio modems or the plain telephony network in applications that do not require high speed. Digital pulses are converted from and to analog waves.
Videoconferencing software work with other required components such as a video camera or webcam for input, computer monitor or television for output, microphones for audio input, and of course, telephones or speakers for audio output. Either an analog or digital telephone network, LAN or the Internet is used for data transfer.
Popular Software
Among the more poplar end-user videoconference software widely available these days are instant messengers, chat software, voice over internet protocol software (such as Skype), virtual room videoconferencing systems, and even Microsoft's Outlook express. To make the videoconferencing experience better for end-users, developers of videoconferencing software are continually working to improve issues with acoustic echo cancellation and multipoint control units, among others. Common problems still associated to videoconferencing software include significant delays in the transmission of voice, reverberation, and feedback. These issues have already been successfully addressed by developers. Multipoint control unit bridges for videoconferences based on IP and ISDN are also being improved.
Developers are finding ways to optimize the number of simultaneous calls that these multipoint control unit bridges can handle.
