Videoconferencing
“Successful VC is new kind
of group communication. It
requires new skills and
new ways of doing things
….”
Diamond & Roberts
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1. What is it?
A two-way synchronous communication
medium that utilizes television technology
and is distributed via satellite, cable or
the internet
E-mail, fax, and phone are often part of
the package
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2. Historical Background
Evolution
Television Stations
Off-site (Hotels
On-site rooms
PC based (videophone-like)
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3. Costs
1981 (Sprint Case)
$2000/hr
 $500,000/room
1991
1000 VC Rooms
$60/hr
$50K/room
1993
$50/hr
$20K/room
1998
Transitions to PC
based
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4. Types of Systems
“If it looks like a TV, why doesn’t it look
like TV?”
Freeze Frame
Slow-Scan
Voice Activated
Receiver Activated
Video-phone
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5. System Setups
Networks
Multipoint-to-Multipoint
Point-to- Multipoint
Point-to-Point
Viewing Options
Voice-sensitive
Multiple-monitors
Split Screen
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6. Why it’s not like TV
Picture Quality
Sound (Delays)
Interaction
Missing Cues
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7. How is it used?
Business
Group to group
Training (Apple 50%, $1.5 million)
Quarterly Forecasts
Corporate-wide Announcement (GM Layoffs)
Product Reviews (700 J.C. Penny Stores)
Education
Foreign Language Teachers
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8. Impacts on
Communication
Micro
Macro
Comparative Effects
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9. Impact on
Organizations
Democratization
Information “float time”
Pace
Integration into the company
Standardization
Employee responsibilities
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10. Social Implications
“Video Teleconferencing is a growing
medium where in a sense, you become
the visual aid. And just as you are not
born with the ability to communicate
brilliantly, so you are not born knowing
how best to utilize VC. You must learn to
make the medium work for you rather
than the other way around” -- Milo Frank
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11. Tips for the leader
Start on time
Repeat start & finish
time
Review objectives,
ground rules and who
is present
Encourage
participation
Help those who are
new
Use visuals
Insure agenda
integrity
Summarize key points
Summarize important
decisions,
assignments, &
follow-up
assignments
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12. Tips for participants
Be concise
State name before
speaking
Use participant’s
names
Avoid side
conversations
Spell out unusual
terms, names, or
numbers
Use verbal
underlining
Avoid watching self
on monitor
 Direct questions to
specific people or
locations
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