Invented

• The idea of using video and sound to communicate between distances has been around practically since the invention of the television. Television allowed people to conduct so called "analog conferencing," which involved two closed circuit television systems connected by a cable. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that video conferencing was introduced at the World's Fair in New York. AT&T's "Picturephone" fascinated among visitors but was ultimately impractical and expensive.
  
  

Evolution

• The beginning stages of video conferencing technology were plagued by insurmountable obstacles. Early video conferencing systems were prohibitively expensive. In 1982, Compression Labs' VC system came with a $250,000 price tag and a $1000 per hour fee. The 1990's saw technical advances in internet protocol (IP) and video compression technologies that allowed video conferencing to become computer based. These technological advancements diminished costs dramatically, which allowed for it to be more easily adopted by the consumer market.
  
  

Function

• Video conferencing is designed to allow a group of individuals to interact via a two way video and audio transmission almost simultaneously. The ability to transmit video as well as audio has made online meetings between two corporations a very real and effective possibility, in some cases, eliminating the necessity of travel. This in turn reduces costs and optimizes time management.
  
  

Features

• Hardware based video conferencing systems will generally come with everything you'll need to setup and begin your conference. These usually include a console with a high quality video camera that can be controlled remotely, as well as all the electrical interfaces, the control computer and the software. In addition to this, you'll most likely find omnidirectional microphones and a TV monitor with speakers.
  
  

Type

• Two main types of video conference are commonly used today: desktop videoconferencing systems (DVS) and integrated videoconferencing systems (IVS). A DVS system is designed to deliver full motion videoconferencing directly from your PC. These systems are useful for small boardrooms and other small group scenarios. An IVS system, on the other hand, is designed for conference rooms or classrooms with multiple participants. The system consists of a main camera, displays and peripheral video sources that are usually mounted in the main conference area. IVS systems are not cheap, costing anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000.