Video Communications: The Whole Picture

by Wilcox; James R.

• ISBN13: 9781578203161
• ISBN10: 1578203163
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2005-01-06
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

Case studies document how, in businesses all across this country, people are communicating via videoconferences with broadcast quality reception.The authors detail how the proliferation of IP networks has driven quality improvements and cost savings in video, and has forced service providers and equipment vendors to pay more than just lip service to their ability to deliver video. The book also provides background on the history of video communications and why balky ISDN systems have never been able to deliver on the promise of videoconferencing. The high price and low quality of ISDN video transmission has meant the service never was good enough for wide-scale business deployment.The book includes extensive coverage of the mobile video revolution, as video communications and collaboration become practical with smartphones, PDAs, and IP-enabled phones over broadband networks such as GSM, EVDO, and WiMAX.The growth in availability of IP communication networks has opened up the practical use of video communications in a tremendous array of applications, including desktop collaboration, training, college recruiting, hiring, finance, justice, distance learning, telemedicine, and more.One notable example of the impact of IP-based videoconferencing occurred recently at where an injured U.S. Marine was able to be a part of the experience of the birth of his first child, from his bed at Bethesda Naval Hospital 500 miles away. He was able to see, hear, and talk to his wife during the entire labor and delivery. Whatever the application, it is clear that videoconferencing has arrived as a tool that can have a dramatic impact on people's lives, both personally and professionally. This book provides a complete understanding of the technology, standards, applications and implementation to unlock its potential.